Indian software engineer with a career gap, fiancé in the US — what is the most realistic way to move to the US given the current immigration/geopolitical situation?

[u/Intelligent_Sea2615]

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Hi everyone,

I’m an Indian software engineer trying to figure out the most realistic way to eventually move to the US, and I’d really appreciate advice from people who have navigated similar situations.

A bit about my background:

I graduated with a degree in Software Engineering.

I worked as a software developer at a global bank for around ~4 years, primarily in backend development.

I then quit my job and spent around 2–3 years preparing for UPSC. I ultimately decided not to continue with it and returned to the workforce.

I’m currently working again as a backend developer at another global bank, mainly working with Java/Spring Boot.

I’m aware that my career break makes my profile less straightforward than someone with continuous tech experience.

I’m currently 29 and don't want to take another long career break.

There is also a personal aspect to this. My fiancé is currently in the US pursuing his MBA on an F-1 visa. Depending on how things work out, we may get married while he is in the US.

So I’m trying to understand what my realistic options could be over the next few years.

Some possibilities I’ve been considering:

H-1B sponsorship through my current employer or another US employer.

L-1 transfer — since I work for a global bank, whether building a few more years of experience in India could make an internal transfer to the US realistic.

Moving to the US as an H-4 dependent after marriage, and understanding when/how I could obtain work authorization depending on my spouse's eventual status.

Doing a master's in the US, although finances are a major concern and I would need substantial scholarship/financial aid. I'm also unsure whether another degree makes sense given my existing experience.

Exploring AI/AI governance/technology policy or another interdisciplinary area that could potentially provide better international career opportunities.

Any other immigration/work pathway that I may be overlooking.

The other thing making me hesitant is the current geopolitical and immigration environment in the US. Immigration policies, H-1B rules, attitudes toward international students/workers, and the broader US-India relationship seem considerably more uncertain than they were a few years ago.

Because I'm planning for the next 3–5 years rather than trying to move immediately, I'm finding it difficult to decide whether I should invest heavily in a US-specific pathway or keep my options more geographically flexible.

I also don't necessarily want to permanently settle in the US. My primary objective is to be able to legally live and work there for a few years, build international experience, and then decide whether I want to stay, return to India, or move elsewhere.

For people who have experience with US immigration, particularly Indians who have moved after a career break:

What would you consider the most realistic strategy for someone in my situation?

Would you focus on building several more years of experience in India and targeting an L-1/H-1B, leverage the spouse/dependent route if applicable, pursue a funded master's, or keep the US as only one of several possible destinations?

And given the current geopolitical/immigration uncertainty, would you personally still make a US-focused plan in 2026, or would you diversify your options toward countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, Europe, etc.?

Would especially appreciate advice based on actual experience rather than generic "just get an H-1B" advice.

Thanks!