In the U.S., many men are looking for foreign brides. And they are using mail order bride sites to do so. While we don’t know exactly how many American men are actually seeking mail order brides, there are now over 16,000 foreign brides a year, marrying American men who have chosen to meet foreign women online.
Though it’s becoming increasingly popular, men still have questions about the law, costs, females’ motivations, and more.
All your answers lie in this comprehensive guide provided by our dating experts from BridesUniverse.
If you are looking for a foreign bride, there are lots of sources on the Internet, many of them illegal and/or scams. Steer clear of them.
Instead, use authentic websites where you can find a genuine foreign bride. Our experts have located the best mail order bride websites for you to meet foreign women from anywhere in the world. You’re sure to find one that works for you:
What is a Mail Order Bride? A 21st Century Concept
Unlike older times, a mail order bride today is someone from a foreign country who is seeking a genuine marriage with a man who provides far more than just financial security or a way for her to get to a Western country, often the U.S.
She joins legitimate mail order bride websites, so that men looking to find a wife online will find her a good match. She tends to be smart, family-oriented, and focused on providing a better life for herself and future children with a man she can love and respect.
Exactly What Are Mail Order Brides Sites and How Do They Work?
Here’s a look at mail order bride services and how you meet your mail order wife by using them.
Mail order brides sites vary. Some are niche, focused on a foreign mail order bride in specific regions or countries (Eastern Europe or Japan, for example). Other sites are huge umbrella services with sections for those seeking foreign brides.
Note: Reputable sites do not require compensation beyond normal charges for the use of features – chatting, video calls, messaging, etc.
Beyond providing matching services and communication tools, mail order brides services do not make arrangements for couples to meet. The mail order bride and her potential husband make their own arrangements.
Here’s a good process when looking for a international bride.
- Do the research. Women from different parts of the world are very different in their cultural traits. Think about what you want in a wife and then study the cultures of the countries/regions you are thinking about.
- Join the right site. Choosing the right service requires research too. Look for one that offers features you want and at least a few thousand of the women you seek. Beyond that, ensure they have the security protocols to protect your privacy. Good mail-order brides sites have these.
- Spend time with your choice. You will be presented with several matches. Take time with each one. If none seem right, ask for more. When you find “the one,” keep communicating. Be sure before you arrange to meet your mail order bride in person. Resist impulsive urges.
- Meeting up. You and your foreign spouse will eventually meet. When you first meet your mail order girlfriend, you’ll be nervous – it’s natural. Set up a few more meetups so you are both sure.
- Marriage. It’s the goal, and you are both ready. Usually, couples get married in the U.S., once the mail order bride gets that K-1 visa.
Challenges and Opportunities When Seeking Mail Order Brides
The mail-order bride industry has changed a lot during the 21st century, and there are both challenges and opportunities.
Greater opportunities
Time was, traditional online sites offered real mail order wives and all operated alike. They presented photos with small bits of information. Men went through and picked out those of interest – sort of like a mail order bride catalog. Today, platforms operate like other online dating sites with matching and communication features.
Also in earlier years, mail order bride countries were pretty limited. Today mail order women come from almost everywhere, so men have freedom to look for a bride from anywhere, either on niche or larger sites, and to develop their own search and communication strategies.
Another trend in the mail order wife industry is the offer of “dating tours” to specific countries. Services organized parties and other events at which men and single women could meet. This was paused during the COVID pandemic but may be re-started.
Challenges remain
Cost
Once an in-person meetup has been set, travel and accommodation costs kick in. These are pretty pricey dates, normally more than one.
Language barrier
While many in the online mail-order bride industry have incorporated translation features into their sites, in-person meetups may require other devices. And it’s tough to express emotions and feelings in a foreign language.
Avoiding disreputable sites
They’re out there. Finding a good one will take research, including reviews and personal navigation through any site being considered.
Current Mail Order Bride Stats
One way to gain a better understanding of this industry is to take a look at some recent statistics.
- The percentage of American men who use international dating sites and mail-order bride platforms is increasing by about 2 million each year. While these are not divided out by platforms, the total number is expected to reach 53.3 million during 2024.
- There are about 10,000 mail-order bride marriages each year, almost half of which are with U.S. men.
- There are close to 100 million such marriages in the U.S. as of 2023.
- About 20% of mail-order bride marriages in the U.S. end in divorce – this is in comparison with a 47% divorce rate overall.
- Mail order brides are now more educated, intelligent, and financially independent. Today almost 31% of them have college degrees and they want to find foreign husbands with the same status.
- The average age of women using such platforms is 20-30 years. Men using them are older, usually in the 40-50 year age range.
- Most U.S. men looking for mail order brides fall within the median income range, earning less than $100,000 per year.
What Really Motivates Women to Become Mail Order Brides?
Several things may motivate women to join mail-order brides websites. One of the myths about mail order brides is that they are only motivated by a desire for financial stability. This may have been true years ago, but mail order brides are a different breed today. Here is what they say about why they join such websites.
- They are looking for a mail-order marriage with a husband who honors and respects her and will give her the equality and freedom she doesn’t find in her own country.
- She wants to have and raise children in a better environment than in her home country.
- She wants to escape common problems in her country – alcoholism, infidelity, and poverty as examples.
- She had a bad marriage and divorce and is looking for a mail-order marriage with a different kind of man.
- She has decided that mail order brides have the chance for a successful marriage and a move to a country that provides more opportunities for herself and her future children.
- The political climate in her home country is unstable or unsafe. She doesn’t want to live there anymore and doesn’t want to raise her children there either.
There is no way to generalize common reasons for women to choose to become mail order brides. And in most cases, the reasons are a combination of the ones listed above. The point is they are looking for something in a relationship and marriage they cannot find at home.
The Most Popular Mail Order Brides Countries Right Now
The most popular mail-order brides countries have changed over time. Long ago, mail-order bride agencies focused on countries where it was easy for men to visit and bring their legit bride home with them. As the world got “smaller,” though, popular countries expanded.
Today, men can meet a single woman almost anywhere. But here seem to be the most popular countries today.
Europe:
Both western and eastern. Countries such as Spain, Poland, and Hungary
Asia:
Philippines, China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan
Latin America:
Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, and Columbia. Most mail order bride services provide an opportunity to meet ladies from one of these regions, so the only way to make the right choice is to learn more about European, Latin, and Asian mail order brides.
But stay tuned. Things change.
What Qualities Do Mail Order Brides Typically Look for in a Man?
Being good-looking, smooth-talking guys on dating websites won’t be enough to hook quality mail order brides. These women are a different breed today, and men need to know what they are looking for.
- Support. Mail order brides want to settle down with a man who will support them through all of life’s ups and downs – someone who will always “have their backs.”
- Stability. It’s not about how much money you have or make but about reliability. Do you have a solid job/career? Can this bride rely on you to give her a stable life? When you join mail-order bride websites, you need to make this clear.
- Respect and manners. Be polite and gentlemanly, not sarcastic or patronizing. Many mail order brides get that from men in their home countries.
- Common values. Do you agree on what is important in life? Are you in sync with standards of behavior? When you communicate with women on typical websites, you need to be clear about your values. No marriage will work if partners do not share them.
- Desire to have a family. This is important to mail order brides. They want a husband but also a wife finder who wants children and a solid family unit. If you don’t want children, say so.
- Emotional security. Yes, women on mail-order websites want physical security. But they want to feel safe emotionally too – a husband who cares about their feelings and honors their emotions.
Mail Order Brides: The Legal Stuff You Should Know
First, mail-order marriages are completely legal. They happen everywhere, every day. But as always, the “devil is in the details”.
The government frowns upon a man marrying a woman just so she can come to the U.S. Your relationship must be authentic, even if you have used a mail-order bride website. When your bride-to-be applies for a Visa, you will have to show that you have met in person within the previous two years.
If you use an agency or a marriage broker, you pay a fee. Beyond that, you will have to provide a criminal records check, and that will be delivered to the mail order spouse.
When you use a legit website, you develop an authentic relationship, but you don’t pay fees other than for registration and features you want, and you are not required to present background checks.
What’s left?
Complete the required documents.
Summary of How Much Mail Order Brides Cost
So, let’s understand something. You are not buying a wife online. You have joined a mail-order bride site to find a great match and a potential life-long partnership. And you are willing to do what it takes to find this perfect bride. So, let’s take a look at one part of this journey – the cost.
Will there be expenses? Of course. Finding perfect mail order brides comes with expenses, and you will need to estimate your own. Here are the factors to include:
- Your location and hers. What’s the distance?
- The costs of joining a site and additional costs of features you choose for your dating strategy
- Your choice of where to meet up in person. What are the travel and accommodation costs? Are they all on you or will they be shared?
- How many trips will there be before you decide to propose?
- What are the Visa expenses and who will pay what?
- Personal choices when you and your bride-to-be get together – gifts, etc.
- Wedding costs.
It’s a bit complicated.
Breaking down expenses & estimated prices
It’s time to put more detail into your costs for a better idea of a budget. You’ll need a strategy for saving enough and for keeping expenses as low as possible.
Online dating expenses
To find a mail order bride online, you have joined a dating service. You’ve done this because these sites are the best sources to find women for marriage. On these platforms, users purchase features a la carte. It’s common for men to spend about $100 per month on features. Once you have been on the site for a month, you will have a good idea of your costs.
The costs of dating foreign brides
Remember, the law requires that there has been an in-person meeting at least once in the previous two years before the marriage. But, if you are like most men, you will have two dates that involve travel, accommodation, and miscellaneous costs.
You can estimate these costs with online research. Once you decide where the dates will take place, you will be able to nail down the cost. This estimation works, of course, if you follow the most common pattern for men looking for foreign brides. If not, your costs can easily skyrocket.
Time is money
Some men approach finding a mail order wife online emotionally. They become a “kid in a candy store” without a clear strategy. They spend more time on the site; they begin communicating with several women. And they may even arrange expensive in-person dates with more than one of these foreign brides.
Romantic spending
These are individual choices. But once a man has found his mail order bride online, he will naturally want to present romantic gifts. Set a budget.
The visa
If the marriage will be in the U.S., a K-1 visa will be required. Depending on her country of origin, fees can range from $850-$1010 for petition, application, and medical exam. When costs for adjusting her status to permanent resident are added, the figure is closer to about $2200.
The wedding
This expense can be nailed down accurately. Consider your budget and plan accordingly.
Approximate costs for different regions
These are estimates as you find a bride and then calculate mail order brides cost moving through the process.
Once you have decided on your target region, set up a simple spreadsheet and list the costs for each expense – online site costs, travel to the region, housing, meals, in-country transportation, gifts, K-1 visa, travel with your bride back home, wedding, and even miscellaneous.
This estimate lets you plan a budget in advance.
Our Success Stories from Mail Order Bride Sites
Feel free to read the following 4 success stories from our site.
Kenneth |
“I didn’t believe that mail-order bride sites were legit, but gave yours a shot. I am now happily married to the love of my life.” |
Randy |
“My wife and I agree. Joining your site was the best decision we have ever made. Married for three years and expecting our first child.” |
Wayne |
“Within a month after using your guide, I found my perfect bride in Eastern Europe. Married her over there and planning a reception here now. We are over the moon in love!” |
Charlie |
“Met my amazing bride online, made two trips to Latin America and got married. Every day with this woman is an adventure in romance, fun, and complete connection.” |
Alternatives to Mail-Order Brides and Mail-Order Bride Websites
You don’t have to look for online brides only on mail order bride sites. You can meet foreign women in several other ways.
If you looking to find a foreign girlfriend, here are some other options:
- Try social media and other networking sites. You can filter searches by gender and nationality looking for matches. These platforms have become dating sites too.
- Find chat rooms. There are plenty of these where you can meet foreign women, even hot mail order brides. Just be aware that not all women in these rooms are genuine and sincere.
- Use mainstream apps and sites. There are plenty of these to be found via a simple search. You can look for a mail order bride without the expense of joining a fee-based site.
- Local international events. Look for festivals and other events you can attend for your preferred female nationalities.
The benefit of these alternate options is obvious – they are mostly free. The drawback is there are no safety protocols in place.
Advantages of Using Mail Order Bride Sites for Men and Women
For men
First, for you men. If you are an American man, why is mail order bride dating a good option for you? Think about the following:
- It’s a great option if you are an introvert who has a tough time taking the initiative to meet women in person. Using international dating sites lets you relax as you communicate.
- Mail-order bride dating is much cheaper than real-life dating. You’ll spend maybe $100 a month to meet your mail order bride.
- International dating sites let you get to know a woman very well before you make plans for an in-person and costly date.
For women
International dating services are also great for women.
Here’s why:
- International dating sites are commonly free for their female members. They make their money from male members and want as many female brides as possible on their sites.
- It’s the best way to meet an American man whose goal is marriage. You both begin with the knowledge that this is a common goal.
- You get to spend as much time as you need getting to know him before you decide on an IRL encounter.
How to Find the Right Mail Order Bride Service
You might be looking for free mail order brides or be ready to pay for a better experience by joining one of the legit sites and paying for that experience. If you do choose the better experience, then you will want to pick the best site for your needs. Here’s a list of what to look for.
- Large female membership of mail order brides seeking marriage
- Visually pleasing site easy to navigate
- Plenty of ways to communicate
- Transparent and clear pricing
- Responsive customer support
Red Flags that Point to Mail-Order Bride Scams
The Internet is a marvelous thing. It has made the world smaller and lets people from all over the planet meet, talk, and become friends.
The Internet can also be a dangerous place, and the mail-order bride industry is no exception. In 2023, about 70,000 Americans reported being victims of romance scams to the Federal Trade Commission, with an average loss of $4,400. Many more go unreported. These scams are run by both individuals and mail-order platforms, so don’t ever think that because you are on a website, you are safe.
Avoid becoming a victim of a scam by recognizing the red flags and running away fast.
Here are those red flags
- You accept a friend request on social media. She becomes romantic quickly and/or sends suggestive photos; she puts pressure on you to move quickly. No. Block her.
- She can’t meet up with you in person because she is in the military or taking care of a sick relative and can’t leave. It’s probably not a real woman.
- Scant profiles with photos that look too good. Run a Google search of the image to see if she is a real woman or not.
- She asks you for money to come see you or for some other emergency. Scam platforms do this too. Don’t ever send money or personal information to someone you haven’t met in person.
Don’t be a victim. Be smart.
Wrapping It All Up
The mail-order bride industry is popular and growing, and stats show that such marriages have more staying power than the average marriage in the U.S.
A large population of American men look for a foreign wife, and just as many foreign women are looking for American husbands. If you are an American man seeking a foreign wife, do it right. Research the industry itself to understand the features of legit mail order bride sites and services vs. the scams. Have a strategy in place. Know what you are looking for in a mate and be clear when you join a mail-order marriages site. Narrow your choices to one, then communicate in all ways possible. Know her well before you arrange to meet her. Take care with budget and expenses.
Do these things and your chances of finding a bride overseas and the best marriage are great.
FAQ
Yes, they are, as long as you use a quality, reputable website. We have very strict criteria for researching mail order bride agencies and only recommend those that meet our high standards. If you use one of our recommendations, you will only meet real women.
First, think about what you are looking for in a wife – country/region, characteristics, and cultural and personality traits.
Next, register on the best site for what you want, complete your profile, state what you are looking for, and begin to search through your matches. You’ll find women who meet your criteria.
The time varies, depending on how you choose to do this – how many women you communicate with, the features you use to get to know them, and the time you have to spend.
In general, the more women you communicate with, the longer it will take. Choose a few who are your best matches and narrow down from there.
People meet and marry using online dating services every day. The only difference here is that your perfect match is in another country. And when you find her, it will take more planning to arrange a real-life date that will be much longer – usually a couple of weeks.
Any man from anywhere can use mail-order bride websites to meet, connect, fall in love, and find their forever wife.
Just register on the site of your choice, create your profile, begin your search through the matches you receive, and select a few to connect with.
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