IMBRA Marriage Broker

[Charuhans 0]

Bharat, sites like Bhartmatrimony, Shaddi.com etc. will not qualify for the exception since,

1) They are not "traditional matchmaking organisations". You know the traditional matchmaking organisations in India.

2)They do not operate on a non-profit basis. They are funded by venture capital and profit making is their sole objective.

3)Also the sites violate the condition "it charges comparable rates and offers comparable services to

all individuals it serves regardless of the individual's gender or country of citizenship". You must be aware that these sites charge almost 2-3 times more if you are paying in USD (on conversion to Indian Rupees).

According to my intensive experience with the DOS & the US Consulate in Mumbai, I can safely say that if its not a "inter-racial marriage/relationship" then the case will fly thru' ONCE it reaches the Consulate, notwithstanding IMBRA et al. The Mumbai Consulate is a self proclaimed Republic, doesn't give a dime to any laws, rules & regulations passed by the Congress. I am not sure how USCIS/NVC are going to look at it though.

Good luck

Charuhans

[Bharat 0]

Thank you, Charuhans

For clearing it up. My other question is how would they know where i met the girl?

[babybunny 2]

Bharat, sites like Bhartmatrimony, Shaddi.com etc. will not qualify for the exception since,

1) They are not "traditional matchmaking organisations". You know the traditional matchmaking organisations in India.

2)They do not operate on a non-profit basis. They are funded by venture capital and profit making is their sole objective.

3)Also the sites violate the condition "it charges comparable rates and offers comparable services to

all individuals it serves regardless of the individual's gender or country of citizenship". You must be aware that these sites charge almost 2-3 times more if you are paying in USD (on conversion to Indian Rupees).

According to my intensive experience with the DOS & the US Consulate in Mumbai, I can safely say that if its not a "inter-racial marriage/relationship" then the case will fly thru' ONCE it reaches the Consulate, notwithstanding IMBRA et al. The Mumbai Consulate is a self proclaimed Republic, doesn't give a dime to any laws, rules & regulations passed by the Congress. I am not sure how USCIS/NVC are going to look at it though.

Good luck

Charuhans

hi Charuhans!!!!

its been along time no see !!!! * shonnie waving across the room *

[Jello 0]

Just my two cents for whatever it's worth.

I interpret the law as the government's attempt to regulate IMBs. There is nothing in the law that says that you will be denied if you met your fiance through the services of an IMB. Of course, if you met after March 6 I'm sure there will be more hoops to jump through, but still this does not appear to be reason in and of itself for denial.

That being said, I met my fiance through a website that technically is exempt under the law, but it's still enough of a gray area that I still intend on answering yes. If it is determined by the USCIS that the site is exempt then they will say I simply made a mistake because the law is too vague; however, if I answer no and they determine it to be an IMB, they may interpret this as I tried to lie or hide it and that would be a reason for denial.

I plan on simply adding that I met my fiance in May 2005 - 10 months before the law went into effect. Additionally, the site where we met did require me to disclose if I had a criminal record but didn't do all the checks that are now required (for obvious reasons since the law didn't exist). The site does now requires all the checks required by the law.

[babybunny 2]

Just my two cents for whatever it's worth.

I interpret the law as the government's attempt to regulate IMBs. There is nothing in the law that says that you will be denied if you met your fiance through the services of an IMB. Of course, if you met after March 6 I'm sure there will be more hoops to jump through, but still this does not appear to be reason in and of itself for denial.

That being said, I met my fiance through a website that technically is exempt under the law, but it's still enough of a gray area that I still intend on answering yes. If it is determined by the USCIS that the site is exempt then they will say I simply made a mistake because the law is too vague; however, if I answer no and they determine it to be an IMB, they may interpret this as I tried to lie or hide it and that would be a reason for denial.

I plan on simply adding that I met my fiance in May 2005 - 10 months before the law went into effect. Additionally, the site where we met did require me to disclose if I had a criminal record but didn't do all the checks that are now required (for obvious reasons since the law didn't exist). The site does now requires all the checks required by the law.

Edited July 3, 2006 by shonjaved

[garya505 2]

A friendly discourse is a healthy thing. I am curious of one thing, when you spoke with your lawyer did you speak of the implications of giving an affirmative response to the marriage broker question in a country such as the Philippines where using a marriage broker is illegal? Thank you.

The definition of an International Marriage Broker under IMBRA doesn't have anything to do with the laws of the Philippines where it is (technically) illegal to operate a marriage broker service.