Are Mail Order Brides Legal In 2024?

Dating a foreign woman requires some knowledge of whether is it legal to mail order a bride in her country. Moreover, if you want to marry, you’ll have to take into account both the US and the other country’s regulations. While investigating the case, I studied immigration laws and government requirements for alien partners. Keep on reading to find out are mail order brides legal and learn more about rules in different regions.

✅ Best dating sites to find legal foreign brides

Mail order marriages are NOT human trafficking

Although finding and marrying a foreign woman comes with a certain mail order bride cost, there’s nothing connected with a violation of human rights and trafficking. Those females start looking for potential partners abroad of their own will and no one controls their choices or forces them. When it comes to a financial question, you’ll cover some expenses on dating sites, during a visit, non-immigrant K-1 visa fee, wedding celebration, etc. 

Anyway, worrying whether is mail order brides legal is normal and responsible. In the USA, the safety of foreign ladies marrying local men is taken seriously. So, the following regulations exist to help them feel secure in a country that is not their home:

• International Marriage Brokerage Regulation Act.  Since an alien spouse can’t know her rights or what to do with a domestic abuser, IMBRA is called to explain the legal options available to her. Also, information about the immigration process, marriage fraud, and useful contacts are provided.
• Violence Against Women Act. VAWA is another law for legal mail order brides who marry US residents. It allows females to apply for the status of a permanent citizen without the participation of the abusive husband. 

As you can see, both acts are designed to give foreign spouses the necessary protection and provide information about their rights.

Where it’s possible and where it’s not

If you want to know are mail order brides legal in the USA, I’ll give you a positive answer. You can date a foreign partner and bring her to America for marriage. In fact, it’s allowed to have a spouse from abroad almost everywhere, so you may check the best countries to find a wife. I researched the topic and discovered which regions have certain restrictions. But first, take a look at where starting a family with someone from overseas is totally OK:

• United States
• Canada
• European Union
• Australia
• Eastern Europe
• Latin America
• China, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan

Of course, I wanted to discover are mail order spouse illegal in some areas. Well, the possibility of marriage with a foreigner is strictly regulated in the following countries:

• 🇧🇾 Belarus. Although there were attempts to regulate marriage agencies in 2005, local women aren’t forbidden to marry foreigners. Moreover, they can communicate with men from abroad on international dating sites.
• 🇰🇷 South Korea. There’s no prohibition to register a relationship with an overseas person, so around 4.7 thousand South Korean ladies are married to foreigners. Previously, if an alien partner came to live in South Korea, they had to pass a Korean proficiency test and show proof of income. Otherwise, a couple could demonstrate that they communicate and understand each other in another language or skip a requirement if they have kids. However, Filipino ladies were warned from marrying South Korean men because of multiple cases of violence, abuse, and even deaths.
• 🇵🇭 The Philippines. Although it’s one of the countries that love American guys, the operation of companies that help organize marriages between local females and foreign men is prohibited. As I mentioned above, the government was disturbed by numerous reports connected with domestic abuse. Anyway, you shouldn’t worry about are mail order brides legit as Filipino women can register on international dating platforms and marry overseas partners.

Now that I shared my findings, you know the main aspects of legality in different countries, so let’s move to the next piece of information.

Legal process for getting international brides

I’m the one who found a wife among single Slavic women and I passed all the steps of taking my foreign partner to the USA. Legit mail order brides have to get through a required immigrant process, so here are the main points from our experience:

1. Applying for a K-1 visa. As a US partner, I filed the Petition for Alien Fiancee, which is Form-129F, with the USCIS. Then, it was approved and sent to the National Visa Center. When we received a letter from NVC, it meant that my future spouse could start preparing for the interview and collecting documents. As a result, she got a visa and we married within 90 days of her coming.
2. Switching to a spousal Green Card. My partner had to fulfill the adjustment of the status process to become a lawful permanent resident. It was necessary to file Form I-485 and gather the required documentation.
3. Applying for US citizenship. We waited for 3 years before my wife could begin the procedure of naturalization. Other Green Card holders can apply in 5 years only.

Handling mail order spouse legal matters seems complicated at first, but when you do everything right, no problems appear.

Why choose overseas dating in 2024?

I understand that coping with all those regulations may scare you a bit, but there are many reasons to date a foreign woman. So, here they are:

• Extended search. When you break free from a limited location, you’ll realize that you have multiple choices and opportunities. You can choose a nationality and find a lady with the same relationship goals as yours. When communicating with females on trusted dating sites, you won’t wonder are mail order brides real because they’re verified members.
• Strength of an international marriage. Typically, such couples have a powerful connection and respect between partners. Both spouses perfectly understand how hard it was to build a long-distance relationship and for a woman to settle down in a foreign country. They do their best to keep their love.
• Cultural diversity. Your marriage will be rich in different traditions brought by you and your wife. From cuisine to religious customs, you’ll learn a lot from each other.
• Knowledge of languages. Your partner will improve her English, and you’ll study phrases common in her country even if you don’t aim for it. Your future children will speak both.
• Discovery of other countries. Of course, you’ll find out something interesting about the homeland of your girlfriend at the stage of online dating. However, you’ll be even more excited to explore the region when you visit her and she’ll acquaint you with all of its peculiarities.
• The art of tolerance. You’ll have to accept your differences and controversial opinions. Naturally, your backgrounds aren’t similar, so you’ll master compromising and respecting the habits of a foreign person.

These are the main reasons why you should look for a foreign girlfriend, but there can be many more of them as it’s your lifetime adventure. 

Author’s conclusion

Lorna Poole

Professional Dating Coach

I hope I helped you figure out the most important aspects of a mail order bride legality. All you need to do is to adhere to the regulations created to control immigrant and nonimmigrant processes. Although it looks challenging and time-consuming, you shouldn’t give up on seeking a foreign partner because you’ll have a whole life together then.

I hope I helped you figure out the most important aspects of a mail order bride legality. All you need to do is to adhere to the regulations created to control immigrant and nonimmigrant processes. Although it looks challenging and time-consuming, you shouldn’t give up on seeking a foreign partner because you’ll have a whole life together then.