Bijasante

IMBRA Disclosure

Important information about the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act and your rights as a consumer when using international dating services.

Last Updated: January 2026 | Effective: January 2026

What is IMBRA?

The International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA) is a United States federal law enacted in 2005 as part of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization. IMBRA was designed to protect foreign nationals who seek to immigrate to the United States through marriage-based visas.

Key Definition

An International Marriage Broker (IMB) is defined under U.S. law as a corporation, partnership, business, or individual that charges fees for providing dating, matrimonial, or social referral services between U.S. citizens or permanent residents and foreign nationals.

IMBRA was enacted in response to documented cases where foreign spouses, predominantly women, were subjected to domestic violence after immigrating to the United States. The law establishes requirements for International Marriage Brokers to ensure that foreign nationals receive important information about their rights and the background of U.S. petitioners.

Purpose of IMBRA

  • Protect foreign nationals from potential abuse by U.S. petitioners with criminal histories
  • Ensure informed consent by requiring disclosure of petitioner background information
  • Limit visa petitions to prevent serial sponsorship patterns
  • Provide legal resources and information about rights to foreign nationals

International Marriage Broker Requirements

Under IMBRA, International Marriage Brokers operating in the United States have specific legal obligations to both U.S. clients and foreign nationals. These requirements are designed to create transparency and protect vulnerable individuals.

Background Check Requirements for U.S. Clients

IMBs must collect the following information from U.S. clients before sharing their contact information with foreign nationals:

  • Full legal name, date of birth, and current address
  • Criminal history including arrests, convictions, and pending charges
  • History of court-issued protective or restraining orders
  • Marital history including number of previous marriages
  • Information about any children under 18 years of age
  • Previous K-1 or K-3 visa petitions filed

Disclosure Requirements to Foreign Nationals

Before facilitating any personal contact, IMBs must provide foreign nationals with:

  • Background information collected from the U.S. client
  • Information about immigration rights under U.S. law
  • Information about the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
  • A copy of the U.S. client's signed consent form
  • Information about domestic violence resources and hotlines

Important Notice

IMBs cannot provide personal contact information of foreign nationals to U.S. clients until the foreign national has received and acknowledged the required disclosures and background information.

K-1 Visa Petition Limits

IMBRA also works in conjunction with USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) to limit the number of K-1 fiancé(e) visa petitions a U.S. citizen can file. Generally:

  • A U.S. citizen cannot file more than two K-1 petitions in their lifetime
  • Only one K-1 petition can be filed within a two-year period
  • Exceptions may be granted for humanitarian reasons with USCIS approval

Your Rights as a Consumer

Whether you are a U.S. citizen seeking to meet foreign nationals or a foreign national considering immigration to the United States, IMBRA provides specific protections and rights.

Rights of Foreign Nationals

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Right to Background Information

You have the right to receive complete background information about any U.S. citizen before sharing your personal contact details.

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Right to Legal Information

You must receive information about your legal rights in the United States, including VAWA protections and immigration options.

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Right to Refuse Contact

You have the absolute right to decline contact with any U.S. client after reviewing their background information.

Rights of U.S. Citizens

  • Right to accurate information about IMBRA requirements and processes
  • Right to privacy regarding personal information (shared only with consenting foreign nationals)
  • Right to know when your information has been shared and with whom
  • Right to withdraw from services at any time

Self-Petition Rights

Under VAWA, if you are a foreign national who has experienced domestic violence from a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse, you may be eligible to self-petition for immigration status without your abuser's knowledge or cooperation. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for assistance.

Background Check Requirements

Background checks are a cornerstone of IMBRA's consumer protection framework. These checks help ensure that foreign nationals have access to critical information before making life-changing decisions about international relationships.

What Background Checks Cover

Category Information Required Verification Method
Criminal History All arrests, convictions, and pending charges Self-disclosure and database search
Protective Orders Court-issued restraining or protection orders Self-disclosure and court records
Marital History Number of previous marriages and divorces Self-disclosure
Immigration History Previous K-1/K-3 visa petitions filed USCIS records (via petition process)
Dependents Children under 18 years of age Self-disclosure

Connection to K-1 Visa Process

The K-1 fiancé(e) visa process administered by USCIS incorporates IMBRA requirements. When a U.S. citizen files a Form I-129F petition:

  1. USCIS verifies compliance with IMBRA petition limits
  2. The petitioner must disclose any criminal history
  3. The foreign beneficiary receives notification of any criminal history
  4. Both parties must sign certifications acknowledging IMBRA disclosures

Verification Note

While IMBs rely primarily on self-disclosure, providing false information is a federal crime. Additionally, USCIS conducts independent background checks during the visa petition process that may reveal undisclosed information.

Our Platform's Obligations

It is important to understand the nature of bijasante.ca and how IMBRA regulations may or may not apply to our services.

Important Disclaimer

Bijasante.ca is an informational website that provides guides, reviews, and educational content about international dating. We are NOT an International Marriage Broker (IMB). We do not introduce U.S. citizens to foreign nationals, facilitate personal contact between individuals, or charge fees for matchmaking services.

What Bijasante.ca Does

  • Provides information about Balkan countries, cultures, and dating customs
  • Reviews dating platforms that may facilitate international connections
  • Offers guidance on navigating international relationships respectfully
  • Educates readers about relevant laws including IMBRA

What Bijasante.ca Does NOT Do

  • We do not collect personal information from users for matchmaking purposes
  • We do not introduce or facilitate contact between individuals
  • We do not charge fees for introductions or matches
  • We do not guarantee marriages or relationships
  • We do not provide immigration or legal advice

Third-Party Dating Platforms

When we review or link to third-party dating platforms, those platforms have their own obligations under IMBRA and other applicable laws. We encourage you to:

  • Review each platform's IMBRA disclosure and compliance statements
  • Verify that platforms operating as IMBs comply with background check requirements
  • Report any platform that appears to violate IMBRA regulations to the appropriate authorities

Contact & More Information

For more information about IMBRA, your rights, or to report potential violations, please contact the following resources:

Official Government Resources

  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
    Website: www.uscis.gov
    Information about K-1 visa requirements and IMBRA compliance
  • U.S. Department of State
    Website: travel.state.gov
    Visa information and consular services
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
    Website: www.ftc.gov
    Report fraudulent International Marriage Brokers

Support Resources

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline
    Phone: 1-800-799-7233 (1-800-799-SAFE)
    TTY: 1-800-787-3224
    Available 24/7 for victims of domestic violence
  • National Human Trafficking Hotline
    Phone: 1-888-373-7888
    Text: 233733 (BEFREE)
    Resources for trafficking victims

Contact Bijasante.ca

If you have questions about this IMBRA disclosure or our services, please contact us:

Legal Disclaimer

This disclosure is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have specific questions about IMBRA compliance, immigration law, or your legal rights, please consult with a qualified immigration attorney.

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