circumstances of meeting

[kev74 0]

On the 129F q18 states "describe the circumstances under which you met". Is it always recommended to attach a separate sheet to explain this? How brief or lengthy should the explanation be?

I met my fiancee through a personals site back in August '05, will I be subject to the new IMBRA stuff that I'm reading about?

Thanks much

[aussiewench 9]

Use Q18 to describe in some detail how you met in person and how this established the relationship. The evidence you then submit of having met within the required 2 years should then support this.

Was the personals a Marriage Broker that requested a fee for its services eg? If not and it was just something like yahoo personals etc then that is not included, as per the IMBRA. I met my husband through the internet, but not through a marriage broker and if I was doing a K visa, would answer that question in the negative.

Edited June 17, 2006 by aussiewench

[kev74 0]

Thanks for the clarification. I'm not quite sure what "marriage broker" means. Is it the mail order bride websites? Yes, in my case it was just a regular personals website that facilitated the initial contact after which that website was not invovled further of course.

[Chuckles 0]

Thanks for the clarification. I'm not quite sure what "marriage broker" means. Is it the mail order bride websites? Yes, in my case it was just a regular personals website that facilitated the initial contact after which that website was not invovled further of course.

It has to be a site specifically for international marriages. For example, the site would not accept a profile from an American man/woman. There is more, I wish I had a link handy. Your case may still fall under the IMBRA law since you did in fact pay a fee for contact information.

I suggest you look at it closer.

Here it is.

"If you met your fiancé or spouse through the services of aninternational marriage broker, you must notify USCIS ofthat fact by answering Question 19 on this form. The term“international marriage broker” means a corporation,partnership, business, individual, or other legal entity,whether or not organized under any law of the UnitedStates, that charges fees for providing dating, matrimonial,matchmaking services, or social referrals between UnitedStates citizens or nationals or aliens lawfully admitted tothe United States as lawful permanent residents andforeign national clients by providing personal contactinformation or otherwise facilitating communicationbetween individuals."

Edited June 17, 2006 by Chuckles

[timmaricel 0]

Thanks for the clarification. I'm not quite sure what "marriage broker" means. Is it the mail order bride websites? Yes, in my case it was just a regular personals website that facilitated the initial contact after which that website was not invovled further of course.

The law does stipulate certain exceptions, here is what it says in sec B-ii as an exception:

"an entity that provides dating services if its principal buisness is not to provide international dating services between US citizens or US residents and foreign nationals and it charges comparable rates and offers comparable to all individuals it serves regardless of the individuals gender or country of citizenship"

Now, a dating service such as Match.com focuses on introducing you to people in your area....they dont specificlly focus on international dating and they don't charge you anything additional for exploring that possibility on your own. In my opinion this qualifies them as a valid exception to the Marriage Broker definition. By all means I am not 100% sure but believe me when I say I will find out and share my findings with this forum.

[eclowjpd 0]

The circumstances of when/how you met in person are more important than an initial meeting such as online, personals etc. I wrote about 3/4 page on our first actual meeting and subsequent meetings with some detail, when, where, her family and friends that I met etc.

[Chuckles 0]

Thats great! I hope everything goes smooth for you.

I do think people need to be careful about answering this question. Give it some thought. Answering yes will not hurt you, but answering falsely may cost you in the end.

[sarah and hicham 3]

I attached an extra sheet explaining how and when we met and the times I have gone to visit... mine turned out a little lengthy at 1/2 page but others just write a line or 2 explaining since they don't give much room. Good luck!

Sarah

[kev74 0]

Since the law went into effect March 6th, are couples who met before this date also subject to the provisions of IMBRA? We met through a website that caters to Indian singles worldwide and does charge a fee but they just facilitate contact exactly like match.com...it's just a personals website. Am I still subject to IMBRA?

Edited June 18, 2006 by kev74

[sarah and hicham 3]

I think if you paid for the service then yes but I am not an expert as many others are and Iam sure someone can answer you for sure.

Sarah

[kev74 0]

I just think this law is complete baloney! Yahoo Personals and Match.com also charge money to facilitate contact between 2 people, why are they not required to check people's background? I don't get it!

[Chuckles 0]

I just think this law is complete baloney! Yahoo Personals and Match.com also charge money to facilitate contact between 2 people, why are they not required to check people's background? I don't get it!

Yahoo and Match.com become exempt because they are not solely for international marriages.

You are at the K1 application stage so don't worry about it. Just be honest when answering all questions. For the amount of pain in may cause you now it will save you 100 fold in the future if you 'lie'.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I just think this law is complete baloney! Yahoo Personals and Match.com also charge money to facilitate contact between 2 people, why are they not required to check people's background? I don't get it!

I found this on one of site that I thought is worth sharing...

http://www.womenrussia.com/free_articles/r...s_and_media.htm

These days the term "mail order brides" is currently used to label the relationship between a man from a first world country and a woman from the third world country or the countries of the former USSR.

The common misconception is that the women only want a way out of their misery and terrible economic situation. Being incompetent in Filipino, Thailand, Colombian, Mexican and other mail order brides, I can tell you with confidence that this is NOT the case with Russian women seeking husbands abroad.

...this is the part that gets interesting as this website declares the differences...

Russian women have a much better education than the brides from Asia and Latin America. About 90% of the women that apply to our agency have college or university degrees, or are current college or university students. With their fair complexion, their intelligence and their astounding beauty, men have often asked me if our selection is real! Our women appear too beautiful to be seeking husbands on the Internet.

I'll probably catch flak for saying this, but in general, the guy should look at this way - if this woman lived close to you, would she still be interested in you? If you can honestly say 'no' then you're part of this marriage brokerage problem that the government is finally going to crack down on.

[Imbra2005 0]

Uh oh, I may have created a monster!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Uh oh, I may have created a monster!

Nah, you just opened the gate...hehehe.

Seriously though, the method by which people are meeting should be scrutinized. Hopefully the legal pressure on the applicants will force more accountability on these Marriage Brokers.