I-129F Question 19

[axexa 0]

"Did you meet your fiancé(e) or spouse through the services of an international marriage broker?"

Why do they ask this question? How does it affect your application if you answer yes? Does it make it more difficult to get approved or delay the process?

[az110965 252]

"Did you meet your fiancé(e) or spouse through the services of an international marriage broker?"

Why do they ask this question? How does it affect your application if you answer yes? Does it make it more difficult to get approved or delay the process?

They ask this question due to the IMBRA laws that were passed several years ago. Basically this law ensures that your foreign fiancee is made aware (by the Consulate) of any criminal activity that may have been in your past (as pertaining to kidnapping, drug possessions, domestic violence, etc).

Do not lie about how you met your fiancee. This is one of the firsdt questions that the Consulate asks during the interview and if you and your fiancee answer differently (or if the Consulate believes that you or the fiancee is attempting to deceive him/her) the visa will be denied.

Many couples meet using the services of a marriage broker - answer honestly and you'll be fine.

Al

P.S. Make sure you use a I-129F supplement sheet to explain your meeting if you used a marriage broker to meet your fiancee. Provide website and/or contact information for the agency.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

"Did you meet your fiancé(e) or spouse through the services of an international marriage broker?"

Why do they ask this question? How does it affect your application if you answer yes? Does it make it more difficult to get approved or delay the process?

They ask this question to comply with the IMBRA law. No it should not delay your petition either way.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

"Did you meet your fiancé(e) or spouse through the services of an international marriage broker?"

Why do they ask this question? How does it affect your application if you answer yes? Does it make it more difficult to get approved or delay the process?

Most internet "marriage agencies" are NOT IMBRA marriage brokers. If you mistakenly answer "yes" because you think they are and give their information (address, website etc.) it will do no harm to you or your petition.

a large percentage of K-1s are introduced through the internet in various ways. How you are introduced to each other is not so important in most cases, certainly not for the Kiev consulate you are using, but it is important that you meet IN PERSON before filing the petition.

Edited January 16, 2010 by Gary and Alla

[Old Dominion 26]

Marriage brokers, for good money, sometimes create matches that are by no means really romantic. One party is after a visa and green card, the other is after an attractive showpiece and good lay, that's about all.

[axexa 0]

We met on a web site where the men pay a fee and the women join for free. We exchanged a few messages on the site. Then we communicated mostly through skype, emails, texts, and phone. We met once already, and we will meet again soon. Then I will send in everything. All I know about the site is the web address. They did make me fill out a form about any previous marriages, crimes, etc. I have no criminal record or previous marriages. So I put no to everything. I have had many background checks for many things, so I am not worried about that.

I was just wondering why they care about the broker when they can just do a background check and inform her about it regardless of how we met. Anyway, I am glad it will not affect anything. Thank you everyone for all the information.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

We met on a web site where the men pay a fee and the women join for free. We exchanged a few messages on the site. Then we communicated mostly through skype, emails, texts, and phone. We met once already, and we will meet again soon. Then I will send in everything. All I know about the site is the web address. They did make me fill out a form about any previous marriages, crimes, etc. I have no criminal record or previous marriages. So I put no to everything. I have had many background checks for many things, so I am not worried about that.

I was just wondering why they care about the broker when they can just do a background check and inform her about it regardless of how we met. Anyway, I am glad it will not affect anything. Thank you everyone for all the information.

It stems from the economic situation after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The economy in the FSU (and other countries) was horrible and many young women were, more or less, using thier charms as bait to escape the FSU. Many men were just as well pleased to use their charms for the porn and prostitution industries. American bimbos in the porn industry realized they were hopelessly outclassed and demanded something be done.

Anyway, the improving economy in the FSU (relatively MUCH better than the mid 90s) and the monitoring of agencies that were more or less trafficking women for prostitution has pretty much eliminated the problem.

The definition of an international marriage broker is pretty narrow and most online meeting websites do not fall into it. Read up on the IMBRA and the qualifications for what is an IMBRA here.

They are checking on the agency...not you.

[leith@Ievgeniia 8]

We met on a web site where the men pay a fee and the women join for free. We exchanged a few messages on the site. Then we communicated mostly through skype, emails, texts, and phone. We met once already, and we will meet again soon. Then I will send in everything. All I know about the site is the web address. They did make me fill out a form about any previous marriages, crimes, etc. I have no criminal record or previous marriages. So I put no to everything. I have had many background checks for many things, so I am not worried about that.

I was just wondering why they care about the broker when they can just do a background check and inform her about it regardless of how we met. Anyway, I am glad it will not affect anything. Thank you everyone for all the information.

that is not marrage broker. almost like yahoo date or when personal adds in paper was popular. if company helps arrange visa it would be marrage broker if i am not mistaken??

i would say you meet online give name of site and then prove and show your support that site was just for finding a person and nothing more, like a date site.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

that is not marrage broker. almost like yahoo date or when personal adds in paper was popular. if company helps arrange visa it would be marrage broker if i am not mistaken??

i would say you meet online give name of site and then prove and show your support that site was just for finding a person and nothing more, like a date site.

Doesn't have to arrange a visa to be considered an IMB-

This is the definition of "International Marriage Broker" from the law:

(4) INTERNATIONAL MARRIAGE BROKER.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘international marriage broker’’ means a corporation, partnership, business, individual, or other legal entity, whether or not organized

under any law of the United States, that charges fees for providing dating, matrimonial, matchmaking services, or social referrals between United States citizens or

nationals or aliens lawfully admitted to the United States as permanent residents and foreign national clients by providing personal contact information or otherwise facilitating

communication between individuals.

(B) EXCEPTIONS.—Such term does not include—

(i) a traditional matchmaking organization of a cultural or religious nature that operates on a nonprofit basis and otherwise operates in compliance with the

laws of the countries in which it operates, including the laws of the United States; or

(ii) an entity that provides dating services if its principal business is not to provide international dating services between United States citizens or United

States residents and foreign nationals and it charges comparable rates and offers comparable services to all individuals it serves regardless of the individual’s

gender or country of citizenship.

(Source)

So - if the service makes you pay for it's services, has special prices or access to just USC's/LPR's, then it would be considered an IMB.

(basically, if the site only offers services between US citizens and foreign nationals, and charges a fee, or charges a different price for non-USC's/LPR's, this would be considered an IMB)

Such a site (like www.loveme.com) is an IMB. A site like Yahoo personals, that allows access to anybody (not just USC's/LPR's) is not considered an IMB.

Now - if you used such a service, it will not be held against you, however, USCIS/NVC will do a more in depth search of the USC's background, and the consular officers shall—

(A) provide information, in the primary language of the visa applicant, on protection orders or criminal convictions

collected under subsection (a)(5)(A)(iii);

(B) provide a copy of the pamphlet developed under subsection (a)(1) in English or another appropriate language and provide an oral summary, in the primary language

of the visa applicant, of that pamphlet; and© ask the applicant, in the primary language of the applicant, whether an international marriage broker has

facilitated the relationship between the applicant and the United States petitioner, and, if so, obtain the identity of the international marriage broker from the applicant

and confirm that the international marriage broker provided to the applicant the information and materials required under subsection (d)(3)(A)(iii).

(so it could slow down your case - worst case)

Edited January 17, 2010 by Bobby+Umit

[baron555 934]

"Did you meet your fiancé(e) or spouse through the services of an international marriage broker?"

Why do they ask this question? How does it affect your application if you answer yes? Does it make it more difficult to get approved or delay the process?

Curious folks just wanna know.

No effect.

No more difficult.

We listed the EM site and had no problems. She was asked about the site during the interview.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Doesn't have to arrange a visa to be considered an IMB-

This is the definition of "International Marriage Broker" from the law:

(Source)

So - if the service makes you pay for it's services, has special prices or access to just USC's/LPR's, then it would be considered an IMB.

(basically, if the site only offers services between US citizens and foreign nationals, and charges a fee, or charges a different price for non-USC's/LPR's, this would be considered an IMB)

Such a site (like www.loveme.com) is an IMB. A site like Yahoo personals, that allows access to anybody (not just USC's/LPR's) is not considered an IMB.

Now - if you used such a service, it will not be held against you, however, USCIS/NVC will do a more in depth search of the USC's background, and the consular officers shall—

(A) provide information, in the primary language of the visa applicant, on protection orders or criminal convictions

collected under subsection (a)(5)(A)(iii);

(B) provide a copy of the pamphlet developed under subsection (a)(1) in English or another appropriate language and provide an oral summary, in the primary language

of the visa applicant, of that pamphlet; and© ask the applicant, in the primary language of the applicant, whether an international marriage broker has

facilitated the relationship between the applicant and the United States petitioner, and, if so, obtain the identity of the international marriage broker from the applicant

and confirm that the international marriage broker provided to the applicant the information and materials required under subsection (d)(3)(A)(iii).

(so it could slow down your case - worst case)

Well said