Disclaimer: This article contains general observations about US visa applications for of overseas brides, and is not intended to be taken as legal advice. Be aware as well that US immigration law changes quite frequently. Seek the advice of an immigration attorney before applying for a US visa process on behalf of an overseas bride.



Please don't kill the messenger, but I have some bad news - the term “mail order bride” is not meant to be taken literally - she cannot actually be mailed to you J. Once you find an overseas bride, you will need to help her get a US visa. As your wife she will be eligible for a green card and eventual US citizenship. In many cases an international matchmaking agency can assist you in the US visa process. If it can't, then should see an immigration attorney. There are two primary methods for your overseas bride to enter the US (not including a rubber dinghy over the Rio Grande) – on a Fiancee Visa (K-1 visa) if you plan to marry in the US, or on a US immigration visa if you plan to marry abroad.

A K-1 fiancée visa takes at least six months in the pipeline (and be sure not to listen to the scammers who may try to tell you of a supposed “K-9 visa” for extremely unattractive brides). Once she enters the US, you will have to either marry her or take her back out of the USA within a specified period (usually 90 days). After you marry her you will have to apply for permanent residence on her behalf.

Alternatively, you could marry her in her country, in which case she would need an immigration visa to enter the US. This takes longer, but is thought to be easier to get.

For further details, please visit the webs site of a US Embassy or consulate in your bride's home country, or talk to an immigration attorney.