Legal Considerations and Visa Processes for Mail Order Marriages

When we listen to the phrase “mail-order bride,” we usually envision a woman from a overseas land who advertises herself in directories seeking a husband. Typically, these women are from countries in SE Asia, Eastern Europe and Southern America.

While digital sites and international agencies have transformed the process, issues remain regarding manipulation and authority imbalances.

Legal Factors

Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, growing numbers of Eastern European women have promoted themselves as mail-order brides through international marriage agents. This has led to calls for regulation of the industry and safeguarding of the entitlements of women in such relationships.

While the idea of a mail-order marriage is often portrayed in a detrimental light, the actuality is far from the grim stereotype. For many couples, the experience has been revolutionary and has enhanced the lives of both the women and men involved. However, there are obstacles that must be tackled, including remote communication and cultural differences.

Visa Protocols

The immigration process for uniting a mail order bride can be challenging. The individuals will need to meet various requirements, including fulfilling financial commitments and completing the required visa work and paperwork. Individuals will also need to be prepared to navigate cultural differences, remote communication and the language barrier.

Many mail order brides are immigrants from nations like the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus and Eastern Europe whose economies is less developed than that of the America. They may be seeking a husband who can provide them with a safe home and a path of prosperity.

The legitimacy of the mail order bride sector has been debated due to claims of trafficking in persons and exploitation. Despite these claims, there are cases of women who find marriage through this channel and are content in their relationships. In addition, the popularity of shows such as TLC’s 90 Day Fiance may motivate more foreign women to pursue this avenue into the America.

Monetary Factors

Mail-order brides often seek husbands for monetary reasons. They are exiting financially unstable families and politically volatile countries in search of financial stability that supposedly comes with the marriage. Women may bring modest dowries or private savings, while men handle travel expenses. This makes the process a form of manipulation, but scholars also recognize that some individuals are wanting to marry for love rather than monetary benefit.

The legacy of frontier cheap mail order brides marriages endures in new forms, uniting people across continents via international matchmaking services. While the motivations for these arrangements remain similar to those of conventional marriages, digital communication and a worldwide economy have brought many transformations. Nevertheless, the idea of acquiring a spouse continues to raise worries about the moral and legal implications for individuals looking to establish relationships with their possible mates internationally. Many online services offer openness regarding costs and provide thorough invoice printouts to assist in budget planning. Moreover, testimonials indicate that when expectations around cost are clarified early on, disputes and disagreements are uncommon.

Legal Challenges

The term “mail-order bride” invokes a notion of an oppressed woman from a distant land, compelled into a marriage against her will. While this is often true, there are also many cases of international marriages that are ethical and based on mutual consideration, understanding, and sincere connection.

Nonetheless, the potential for manipulation exists. Some scholars have analogized mail-order brides to minor brides, and there is a great deal of study arguing that international marriage brokers sell women for profit, the women do not know their future partners, or the lived life they will be joining, and there is a large power imbalance (Jackson, 2002; Jones, 2011; Tyldum, 2013).

Some nations have implemented laws against this activity, including the Philippines’ anti-mail-order-bride law and provisions in the V.A.W.A. and International Marriage Broker Regulation Act. However, it is important to remember that the issues are complicated and cross borders. This means that meaningful change needs to go beyond domestic legal initiatives to address the trafficking of persons of international brides.