The bombshell of increased H1B visa fees dropped by Donald Trump has begun to show effects in India, significantly impacting Indian weddings. By increasing the application fee to $100,000 USD (around 8.8 million INR) for H1B visas, the demand for NRI grooms working in the U.S. has declined in India. According to a report, families previously seeking international-level partners for their children are now reconsidering due to fears triggered by Trump's policies, worrying about the stability of these NRI jobs.
What is Trump's H1B Visa Bomb?
Firstly, let's explain the changes President Donald Trump introduced in the H1B visa rules. The H1B visa allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialist sectors like technology, engineering, medicine, finance, and education. Trump's new regulation imposes a charge of $100,000 USD (around 8.81 million INR) per application to grant entry or re-entry of a foreign employee.
Source: aajtak
This visa bomb is jarring for India since Indians are the majority among those working in the U.S. under this visa. While the numbers vary, reports indicate that 71% of total H1B visa recipients were Indian in FY24. Amidst the uproar over these changes, the White House clarified recently that the fee applies only to new applications, not to current visa holders or renewals, as confirmed by Press Secretary Caroline Levitt.
The Visa Bomb Has Reduced NRI Groom Demand
Despite the White House's clarifications on Trump's H1B visa fee rules, its impact is evident in India. It has sparked fear especially among those planning to marry their children to NRIs. Reuters reports, sourced from matchmakers and experts, suggest that strict U.S. immigration policies, particularly the rise in H1B visa fees, make Indian families less inclined to marry their children to U.S.-residing NRIs, effectively reducing demand for NRI grooms.
Bespoke matchmaking service founder, Anuradha Gupta notes the lack of official government data on marriages between Indian and expat citizens, yet the shift in preference post-Trump's announcement is widely observed. Notably, America hosts the largest Indian expatriate community of approximately 2.1 million NRIs, traditionally seen as favorable marriage prospects. This perception, however, seems to be changing.
Trump's Decisions Altering Minds
For many Indians, marrying someone of Indian origin living in America meant financial security, a notion that's rapidly fading now. Consider the experience of Haryana's 19-year-old medical student, Siddhi Sharma, who had long planned to settle in the U.S., now reconsidering after Trump's policies. She told Reuters, "I always dreamed of settling in America after marriage, but Trump closed those doors for me."
Source: aajtak
Decline in Craze for Foreign Grooms; Postponing Weddings
Vanaja Rao, MD of Quick Marriages, notes the high demand for NRI and foreign-based grooms that existed until last year, which has now decreased due to decisions made by Trump during his presidency. Amidst H1B visa chaos and restrictions, fear has grown, leading some families to altogether avoid weddings with NRI grooms, impacting matchmaking businesses.
Matchmaking Companies Taking New Steps
Some matchmaking services have adapted by implementing changes post-Trump's announcement. The premium matchmaking app, Not.Dating, has introduced a U.S. visa filter, enabling families to vet prospective NRI partners based on visa status. The company reports significant uptake, with nearly 1,000 non-resident Indians signing up since its introduction last September, 60% of whom hold H1B visas.
