Mail-order brides are still a thing. The US issued nearly 20K fiance visas to foreign women in 2023. And it’s very likely most of those girls met their husbands online, making them mail-order brides, even if the term is dated and doesn’t fit the realities of modern international dating.
To set things straight, let’s explore the mail-order bride concept, starting with the basic questions. Do mail-order marriages still exist, and who are these women?
What is a mail-order bride?
A mail-order bride is a woman who uses mail to find a husband abroad. In other words, a woman advertises her eligible bride status by mail. In the early days of American colonies, mail-order brides used newspapers and mail to find husbands.
In the 21st century, singles interested in international dating rely on social media, dating apps, and niche platforms designed for serious relationships and marriage. The outdated term is often confusing. Some people believe they can order a bride by mail, like a new coffeemaker. Others consider mail-order brides scammers, gold diggers, or sex workers. None of the above is true for modern-day mail-order brides.
Do mail-order marriages still exist?
Mail-order marriages still exist, just as they did throughout American history.
You don’t have to take our word for it. Let’s look at hard facts to make sure:
So, do mail-order marriages still exist? They do, and they aren’t going away anytime soon. In fact, if these trends persist, we may see a significant increase in the number of mail-order brides.
Popular mail-order bride websites
Are you excited to meet foreign girls and make one of them fall in love with you? If so, mail-order bride websites are great for beginning your search. Check out these tried-and-true platforms:
Is it legal to buy a mail-order bride?
You cannot buy a mail-order bride. There are no online shops with bride catalogs and next-day delivery. But there are international dating sites, and you can legally marry a foreign bride you meet online.
Foreign women can marry Americans in the States or their home countries. In either case, you need to follow local marriage laws. For example, you can only get married in China if your Chinese bride is over 20, and in Afghanistan, you need to be Muslim to marry a local woman.
To marry your bride on American soil, you’ll need to go through the K-1 visa application process. It starts with a petition for an alien fiance, complete with evidence of your relationship. Next comes the actual visa application and the wedding. After that, your wife can apply for an adjustment of status and secure her employment permit.
What motivates women to become mail-order brides?
First, let’s agree that individual motivations have nothing to do with the mail-order bride’s ethnicity. At the same time, typical factors driving women to seek international relationships online often reflect the local economic and political landscape.
Here are a few common examples:
Love, care, and affection are deciding factors for most mail-order brides. While men worry about getting scammed by gold diggers, women put their lives and happiness on the line. Common interests and mutual respect are critical for successful relationships, and they often outweigh any other motivations for becoming mail-order brides.
Most popular mail-order bride countries
According to the number of K-1 visas issued in 2023, the most popular mail-order brides come from:
- The Philippines. Filipinas have always been among the most sought-after Asian brides. They are gorgeous, conservative, and devoted. Marriage is a forever kind of thing for Filipinas since divorce is illegal in the Philippines.
- Mexico. Despite the border tensions, Mexican women are the most popular among Latin mail-order brides. Like most Latinas, they are proud, passionate, and affectionate. Mexico’s location right across the border is another point in their favor, as it makes relationships easier (and more affordable).
- Colombia. Despite stereotypes, Colombia isn’t just about coffee and drugs. Local women are known for their beauty, loyalty, and caring nature. They love big families and don’t shy away from hard work and tough going.
- Dominican Republic. It’s not just a popular vacation destination but also a place of passionate women who make excellent wives for American guys. Dominicans appreciate the broadened opportunities that a move to the US awards them.
- Brazil. Brazilian women have the reputation of the most gorgeous among Latin brides, and not just because of the Rio Carnival. Besides, they stand out among Latinas as the only ones speaking Portuguese, not Spanish.
Although none of the European countries reached the top 5 in terms of the number of fiance visas issued, Slavic women remain popular among Americans, Ukrainian and Russian girls in particular.
Summing up
So, do mail-order brides still exist? They very much exist and remain pretty popular among American guys. International marriages are legal in most countries, including the Philippines, Mexico, and Colombia, responsible for the largest number of mail-order brides in the US. If you’re curious to learn more about the women who become mail-order brides, set up a dating profile and get chatting.