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An international marriage agency ( also called an international introduction agency or international marriage broker ) is a business that endeavors to introduce men and women of different countries for the purpose of marriage, dating or correspondence.

Many of these marriage agencies are based near women in developing countries ( such as Ukraine, Russia, Colombia, Brazil, China, Thailand and the Philippines ).

International marriage agencies encourage women to register for their services, and facilitate communication and meetings with men from developed regions of North America, Western Europe, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand.

This network of smaller international marriage agencies is often affiliated with web-based international dating sites that are able to market their services on a larger scale, in compliance with regulations such as the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act.

International dating sites provide a wide variety of online communication, including instant messaging, email letters, webcam-based chat, phone translation, virtual gifts, live games, and mobile-based chat.

International marriage agencies are frequently referred to as " mail-order bride " agencies.

However, many consider the term " mail-order bride " derogatory and feel it demeans foreign women by comparing them to commodities for sale and by falsely implying that ( unlike local women ), they exercise no judgment over the men they meet and would marry anyone from a relatively-wealthy country.