Is Elana's Model considered a Agency

[LvivLovers 39]

IMBRA generally defines an IMB as a for-profit entity whose principal business is to charge fees for providing dating, matrimonial, matchmaking services, or social referrals between U.S. and foreign national clients by providing personal contact information or otherwise facilitating communication between U.S. and foreign national clients. See IMBRA § 833(e)(4).

Elena's Models (and most other international dating websites) meet the definition of an IMB and are thus subject to IMBRA laws. I met my wife on EM also and we answered yes to the IMBRA questions. They never asked anything about IMBRA or EM at all, but our case was pretty simple too...no prior marriages, children, visas, etc. that IMBRA would care about.

[1HappyGuy 45]

Generally it is a good idea to answer question 19 in the affirmative regarding any of these introduction web sites. Then there is no problem about how you actually started to communicate before meeting. Since so many of the introduction web sites for meeting foreign people are outside of the USA they aren't subject to the laws, but most comply just as a matter of convenience for their clients. I'm pretty sure Elena's Models is based in Australia.

Oh, Slim, I'm pretty sure the U.S. military has an exemption from the IMBRA requirements.

[belarus1 0]

Generally it is a good idea to answer question 19 in the affirmative regarding any of these introduction web sites. Then there is no problem about how you actually started to communicate before meeting. Since so many of the introduction web sites for meeting foreign people are outside of the USA they aren't subject to the laws, but most comply just as a matter of convenience for their clients. I'm pretty sure Elena's Models is based in Australia.

Oh, Slim, I'm pretty sure the U.S. military has an exemption from the IMBRA requirements.

I contacted EM before filling out our forms and they said yes they are a Marriage Broker.

I answered thusly on our forms and it didnt seem to be a problem. We got the visa on Sept 29:)

[kylejb 0]

Well, as I stated, I didn't realize they were. So.. I can only hope that there is no issue. I will send a letter and sign it, notorize it or whatever saying I didn't realize they were. I believe if we answer the questionaire correctly, that we should not have any issues. I mean, at this point, what else can I do?? I didn't realize that getting an email address meant that.. I can only pray we are ok. The Embassy just wants to make sure that EM revealed information about me, which they did.

[mox 298]

Seriously, don't sweat it. Send a letter with your fiancee to the interview if it'll help you feel better (but don't notarize it, that's just wasting money), but I think the most likely outcome is that they'll just correct your packet and be done with it. They're not taking IMBRA very seriously yet. In the future it might be a big deal, but it's not right now.

[kylejb 0]

Seriously, don't sweat it. Send a letter with your fiancee to the interview if it'll help you feel better (but don't notarize it, that's just wasting money), but I think the most likely outcome is that they'll just correct your packet and be done with it. They're not taking IMBRA very seriously yet. In the future it might be a big deal, but it's not right now.

How do you know they are not taking IMBRA very seriously yet?

I am not saying you are wrong, just curious why you think this or know this.

[mox 298]

Seriously, don't sweat it. Send a letter with your fiancee to the interview if it'll help you feel better (but don't notarize it, that's just wasting money), but I think the most likely outcome is that they'll just correct your packet and be done with it. They're not taking IMBRA very seriously yet. In the future it might be a big deal, but it's not right now.

How do you know they are not taking IMBRA very seriously yet?

I am not saying you are wrong, just curious why you think this or know this.

Here's a really boring document that pretty much lays it out:

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08862.pdf . Highly recommended reading if you have insomnia.