MovieChat Forums > The Civilization of Maxwell Bright (2007) Discussion > Mail-order brides

Mail-order brides

posted 15 years ago by megabigblur
2 replies | jump to latest

Just curious, does anybody here have actual experience with an "international marriage broker" aka mail-order bride service?

Because if it's really as easy as it is in this movie, it would be easier for some random woman who's never been here and can barely speak English to marry some random guy and get permanent residency than it would be for me, a graduate student who's been here for nearly a decade in total, to marry my American boyfriend who's been with me for over two years.

Sorry to be narcissistic, I've just spent an hour looking at the USCIS website and their reams of forms and jaw-dropping application fees. I don't know how it can possibly cost the government nearly $500 to process a 5-page application.

[–] xdementorx 14 years ago

I've some experience helping men who married Russian mail order brides with their divorces. Russian mail order brides, in my small sample size, are very crafty. The movie depicted a very beautiful mail order bride, and truthfully Maxwell was pretty good looking, also. In reality, that may not be the case, although brochures and web sites indicate that it is.

I thought Max's interactions with the police were unrealistic. In a more realistic portrayal of those interactions, Max never would have made it to die of cancer.

[–] wrathofachilles 14 years ago

In real life, mail order brides as depicted in this movie don't exist, at least not anymore. USCIS requires fiancees to have met in person before even thinking about issuing a visa unless there is a specific, documented cultural prohibition against the bride and groom meeting before the marriage. Additionally, other proof of a genuine relationship is usually required.

If you marry your boyfriend, getting a permanent residency visa would probably take up to a year. It's roughly the same for couples where one of the spouses is applying from overseas, but at least you get to be with your BF in the meantime.