The number of international marriages is growing rapidly. In 2021, the share of marriages in the USA including a foreign spouse reached a historical maximum — 12.4%. But without specific numbers, it’s difficult to understand the real scale.
Mail order bride statistics show not only this; you can see the real impact of international marriages on the economy and social structure of the USA. This article will give you an understanding of this and many other aspects of dating.
What is a “Mail Order Bride” Today?
The term itself reminds of the 19th century, when Western men looked for wives through newspaper ads. Today, it means international dating through specialized sites. Men pay for its services, not for the woman.
The process is legal and regulated. In the USA, there exists IMBRA (International Marriage Broker Regulation Act). This law appeared after several cases of violence against immigrant women. Now, dating sites are obligated to check the criminal past of American men.
There’s also VAWA (Violence Against Women Act). Under this law, if the husband turns out to be an abuser, the woman can independently file for a green card. That is, she can leave and remain in the country legally.
Core U.S. Immigration Data
K-1 visa is the main path for foreign brides to the USA. The numbers show clear trends and speak of the real scale of international marriages.
| Fiscal Year | Total K-1 Visas Issued | Top Source Countries (with numbers) |
| FY2022 | 21,351 | Philippines (4,968), Mexico (1,216), Colombia (1,006), Dominican Republic (710), Great Britain and Northern Ireland (675) |
| FY2023 | 19,825 | Philippines (2,747), Mexico (1,696), Colombia (850), Dominican Republic (749), Brazil (657) |
| FY2024 | 47,579 | Philippines (10,228), Mexico (4,180), Vietnam (2,208), Dominican Republic (1,969), Colombia (1,863) |
Pay attention to the dramatic jump in 2024. Almost 2.5 times more visas than in 2023. This is not a coincidence and not an anomaly. COVID-19 seriously disrupted the work of consulates in 2020-2021.
Demographic Statistics
Stereotypes paint a picture of old, rich Americans and young, uneducated brides seeking salvation. Official data destroys these myths.
| Category | U.S. Men | Foreign Brides |
| Average age at first Marriage | ~30.2 years | ~27.9 years in cross-border marriages |
| Age gap in cross-border marriages | ~7 years older than the bride, on average | ~27.9 years (~4 year gap on average) |
| Education (Age 25+, bachelor’s or higher) | 36.9% of American men have bachelor’s degree | Over 1/3 of immigrant women 25+ have bachelor’s degree |
| Employment & labor force | General participation | Immigrant women = 7.9% of U.S. workforce in 2025 |
| Post-2019 labor force growth | General participation | Foreign-born women drove nearly 2/3 of post-2019 increase in prime-age women’s labor-force participation |
Legal and Safety Statistics
History has shown that without regulation of international marriages, abuse and fraud are possible. The USA has created one of the strictest protection systems in the world. Let’s look at specific laws and statistics.
Romance scams
More than 70,000 Americans became victims of online romantic scams in 2022. This is more than just an inconvenience. This is a serious financial catastrophe for many victims. Many lose tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Verified platforms with profile verification help avoid this. They remove profiles that ask for money or behave inappropriately.
K-1 Visa process
Overall, this is a multi-level test that couples wishing to marry and live in the USA must pass. Proof of the relationship is required. Also, the bride must pass an interview at the American consulate. An immigration specialist will determine whether the relationship is real or fictitious. Approximately 20,000 applications are rejected each year at the consular interview stage. It is about 40% of all K-1 applications.
Even after the wedding, checks continue. When she files for a green card, USCIS conducts another interview with the couple together.
The first green card is conditional — it’s valid for only two years. A few months before expiration, the couple must file a petition. Then, another interview and another check await them. Only after this she receives a permanent green card for 10 years.
Economic Impact
One of the most common myths is that immigrants are an economic burden. They “take jobs from Americans or live on benefits”. Official statistics completely refute these claims.
- Labor force contribution. Immigrant women constituted 7.9% of the entire U.S. workforce in 2025. They hold critical positions in many sectors of the economy.
- Tax revenue. In 2023, immigrant households paid about $89.8 billion in federal and local taxes.
- Labor force growth. Between 2000 and 2022, immigration provided almost 75% of labor force growth in the USA. These are critically important statistics because the birth rate among Americans is falling. Without immigrants, the U.S. workforce would be shrinking.
These numbers are indisputable. Immigrant women are not a burden, but an asset. The economic contribution of women immigrants is necessary for the prosperity of the USA.
Key Takeaways
Here are the main facts and numbers to remember about international marriages and mail order brides in the USA.
- K-1 Visa numbers are significant. In 2022, the U.S. government issued 21,351 K-1 visas for foreign brides and 3,441 K-2 visas for their children. In 2023, the number slightly decreased to 19,825 visas. But in 2024, a dramatic jump occurred to 47,579 visas.
- Romance scams are dangerous. 70,000 Americans became victims of online romantic scams in 2022. Scammers pretend to be foreign brides (or grooms) and create fake profiles.
- Intermarriage is growing. In 2021 in the USA 12.4% of marriages were concluded, including a foreign spouse. This trend is especially strong among young Americans. Generation Z and millennials don’t see the barriers that their parents and grandparents saw.
- Online dating is mainstream. About 19% of internet users in the USA use online dating apps to search for a partner right now. Another 27% tried them in the past. This means that almost half (46%) of Americans have experience with online dating.
If you’re considering international relationships, these statistics should encourage and inform you.
Thousands of Americans are doing the same thing every year, and the legal procedures are clearly understandable and adequate, though not that quick. You can check out mail order bride services for starters to see how online dating works by yourself, and do it from the comfort of your own home.
