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Taiwan is getting tough on mail order brides. Starting from August 1, 2009, there is a ban on companies that arrange international marriages. Taiwan’s Immigration Agency says it wants to stamp out the practice of Taiwanese men choosing Chinese or South-East Asian brides online. Companies can no longer take Taiwanese men on blind-date tours of Asian countries to select a bride. All Taiwanese men hoping to marry a foreign woman must now apply to an approved government agency. These organizations cannot charge a matchmaking fee. The only money that can now change hands is for airfares and hotels for overseas visits. Companies that attempt to charge for arranging marriages will be fined up to $US 30,000.

The new regulations are part of Taiwan’s new Immigration Act. The island nation wants to reduce the number of fraudulent marriages. The previous laws meant many women entered the country after marrying Taiwanese men, only to work as prostitutes. There were many other crimes such as insurance scams. The number of foreign brides arriving in Taiwan has increased dramatically. Immigration officials report that around 420,000 foreign spouses, mainly brides, entered Taiwan in the first half of 2009. This figure compares with 410,000 for the whole of 2008. Taiwan’s men are finding it hard to find a Taiwanese bride. Many women are putting their career ahead of marriage, marrying at a later age, or not marrying at all.

www.breakingnewsenglish.com