Taiwan Today

For-profit transnational marriage agencies will no longer be allowed to operate in Taiwan beginning August 1, the National Immigration Agency under the Ministry of the Interior has announced. Eleven non-profit marriage brokers will still be permitted to operate legally in Taiwan, however, and those interested in finding foreign spouses can seek help from these legal matchmakers, the NIA said. The criminalization of for-profit transnational matchmaking is in accordance with the Immigration Act, which makes it illegal for marriage agencies to demand remunerations for their services, the agency said. Commercially arranged marriages for mainland Chinese spouses are also prohibited according to the Immigration Act. The Act was passed to normalize transnational marriages and free them from commercial motives, the agency said. Advertisements for “foreign brides” and the like can no longer be posted in the streets and alleys of Taiwan. Anyone who tries to “disseminate, broadcast or publish advertisements for transnational marriage agencies” can be fined up to NT$1 million (US$30,300), according to the Immigration Act. Matchmaking firms legally registered as “marriage brokers” before Sept. 26, 2006 will be given an additional buffer year to adjust to the changes. But beginning Aug. 1 they will no longer be allowed to carry out marriage brokering services. The agency stressed it would enforce the new law vigorously by increasing its monitoring efforts. (HZW)