Marrying a foreign woman isn’t the same as marrying a girl from your neighborhood. It’s not about the cultural background and societal norms only. It’s about finding a foreign woman for marriage, going through the red tape challenges, and managing to live in the same country.
Here are 10 steps for marrying a foreign woman if you have never dealt with one.
#1. Ask yourself: Why a foreign woman?
Before you search for and marry a foreign woman, have a proper conversation with yourself: why not a woman from your country? If you are trying to run away from your fears or problems (e.g., fear of being vulnerable, fear of opening up to a woman) by thinking you can marry a woman from abroad, this is not the best idea.
First, solve all your issues. Don’t look for their solutions in an international marriage. Marry a foreign woman if you know that you’d like to be with someone who has a special attitude to life, not the same one that you have seen among your fellow people.
#2. Narrow down your search
If you want to marry a foreign woman, you need to have a woman, first of all, and know what kind of girl you want. Are you into Asian ladies? Eastern European beauties? Latinas? Narrow down your searches, you cannot be looking for a foreign bride all over the world.
Research dating and marriage culture in each region, and find out what kind of women live there. Then choose what would suit you the most. Also, consider such factors as a language barrier, the possibility of relocation, and so on.
#3. Go to places where foreign women are
Of course, you can visit a country where you’d like to meet a foreign woman of your dreams, but this may not always be possible. Also, there’s no guarantee you’d meet your love during the first visit.
Instead, search for foreign women online. You can try the following:
- social media
- dating apps
- international dating and marriage platforms like Asian mail-order bride sites or so
Note, however, that there’s no guarantee a foreign woman you approach on popular social media would be single or would be interested in a relationship. That’s why it’s better to opt for dating apps and mail-order bride sites. They are often backed by marriage agencies, people’s profiles there are verified, and members have clear intentions of finding a partner. So, it’s a win-option for you.
Lastly, you can turn to a marriage or bride agency to find your future spouse abroad, but this may include extra expenses.
#4. Talk to a foreign woman
Once you start talking to a foreign bride, make sure you maintain your connection. It doesn’t matter if you are talking via a mail order bride site, social media, or messenger. What’s important is the quality of your conversations, genuine interest in each other, and desire to get to know each other better.
Consider all your online meet-ups as dates. Send her virtual and real gifts, ask her personal questions, flirt, and so on. Only in this way you will know if this girl is right for you.
#5. Learn about foreign marriage traditions
Although it’s very important to talk through all dating and marriage issues with your lady, do your research:
- Read about marriage traditions in her country online.
- Ask your questions about international marriage on forums.
- Watch videos about marrying a woman from a certain country.
- Try to talk to real men who have similar marriage experience.
All in all, get an alternative view. Get answers to these questions:
- Will her parents allow your marriage?
- Will you have to pay a bride price? If yes, how much?
- Who is expected to pay for the wedding?
- Are there any specific traditions/rules/rituals that you have to obey?
- Is your marriage possible at all?
It’s better to do this research as early as possible so that you do not waste neither your time or money.
#6. Visit a foreign woman in her country
When you realize your online communication isn’t enough, visit her. Foreign ladies won’t come to visit you for safety and financial reasons, so you’ll have to do it first. If she’s from a conservative society, you may have to see her parents too. Be ready to have a «serious» conversation with them. Avoid seeing her parents if you still haven’t made up your mind.
Anyway, make the most of your stay in her country – go on real dates, experience each other’s presence, and decide if she’s the one.
Your first visit may happen after a month or a year of talking online. There’s no formula for it. Decide for yourself. After the first visit, you may still need time to see how it goes, so be patient.
#7. Check marriage laws
Before you propose to a foreign woman, check what your country’s laws say about international marriage. You may want to:
- bring the foreign bride to your country and then marry
- come to her home country and marry there
- get married in a third country
All these options are case-specific, so you will also have to check the laws of her country and/or the laws of a third country. There are many guides for American and British men marrying foreign women. When it comes to your bride, ask her where you can get reliable information about marriage in her country.
#8. Tell a foreign woman about your intentions
This doesn’t necessarily mean a proposal. First, you need to have a conversation between two adults. Does she have the same in mind? Would she be ready for marriage if you proposed? Remember, she is from a different culture and may not understand your surprise proposal, so before you bend your knee, make sure you have a proper conversation.
And then… put a ring on that finger!
Note that this may not happen without the agreement of her parents if that’s what her culture requires. If that’s the case, go to her country and ask her parents personally.
If she says yes, go to the next stage.
#9. Prepare for international marriage
This doesn’t only entail finding the dresses for your bride and you, hairstyles, wedding decorations, and so on. You know all of that and will handle it with your bride according to the wish of you two.
At this stage, the most important thing, since you will be entering an international marriage, is the paperwork. Turn to your consulate in her country, to the immigration office in your country. Ask them all about those little and tricky details like:
- where is better to get married
- what will be the fee for marrying
- check the requirements and rights that visas grant (Fiancée Visa in the US or Marriage Visitor Visa in the UK). E.g., will your spouse be able to live and work in your country after marriage and so
- collect all the necessary documents for a visa
- help your bride apply for it
- follow any other specific steps depending on your situation (for example, you decide to marry in her country, or she has children and wants to bring them to your country, etc.)
Seek legal advice and support from professionals if you cannot handle everything on your own.
#10. Finally, marry her
This is the ultimate step in this guide on how to marry a foreign woman. We believe you should do it the way you think is best. Wish you to find a foreign woman you fall in love with and marry her for real!
References:
- https://www.boundless.com/immigration-resources/marry-non-u-s-citizen/
- https://immigrationbarrister.co.uk/how-to-get-married-in-the-uk-choosing-the-right-visa-for-marriage/
- https://bestasianbrides.com/
- https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-of-us-citizens/visas-for-fiancees-of-us-citizens
- https://www.gov.uk/marriage-visa
- https://www.gov.uk/marriage-abroad