International dating is becoming more popular

Most people prefer to date someone local to them, but that's not always possible. Some people like to date far from home or will consider it. So what's the attraction, and what are the potential pitfalls?

International dating is a niche market - not only is there a geographical hurdle to overcome, but there can also be a language barrier. Most international daters tend to go for people who speak the same language as it makes communicating a lot easier.

Most dating sites have an international presence allowing members to get in touch with anyone around the world. There are numerous reasons why someone might want to date someone hundreds or even thousands of miles away:-

1. They may want to explore other cultures
2. They enjoy international travel
3. They have an attraction to people from a specific country or locale
4. They have met their potential soulmate
5. They are looking to meet someone from their cultural background

Don't get confused with international marriage agencies

Marriage agencies that specialize in matching people internationally (some refer to these matches with the often derogatory terms 'mail order brides' or 'mail order husbands') are different from international dating agencies. The difference should be somewhat noticeable as it's in the name. One specializes in matching people for the sole purpose of marriage, and the other is just like any other dating site but allows you to chat with anyone around the world. And doing so opens up more opportunities for anyone single.

Beware of people looking to date for the wrong reasons

Dating someone very far away can be a risk because a lot of scammers are based in certain countries around the world looking for opportunities to extort money from vulnerable people.

Are they prying into your financial status?

Dating someone shouldn't involve the exchange of financial information, at least not initially. If your date is interested in how much money you earn, where you bank your money or how big your house is, they may be assessing whether you have credentials that fulfill the expectations of their family. Or they could be finding out information so that sometime in the future they can manipulate you financially.

Are they considering you for the benefit of their immediate family?

If they are very interested in the size of your house and how much money you earn a year, they may be looking to see if you can accommodate their family in the future.

Are they using you for asylum?

If your date is from a country where people are known to flee for political reasons, find out if they are looking for asylum. People will do pretty much anything they can to escape, and while helping them may seem like a good idea, they may not be looking to form a genuine, long-lasting relationship.

Be prepared and know what to expect

Assuming the person you're chatting to online is interested in you and the conversation is going well, make sure you understand what international dating involves:-

Long-distance travel for either one of you

One of you will probably need to travel to meet face to face. This can often be very costly and end in disappointment. It's best to get to know your date as much as possible beforehand. Webcamming with them is an excellent way to do this.

Travel visas

You may need to apply for a visa depending on where you travel too. Visa applications can be costly and time-consuming, so be prepared. Most visas will only allow you to enter a specific country a few times or within a certain timeframe before you have to re-apply again.

Know the customs

Make sure you familiarise yourself with the country's local customs. The experience will be much easier for you if you do, and you're likely to impress your date when you meet them.

Be prepared with accommodation

For most people meeting someone abroad, they'll be expected to arrange their own accommodation. Your date should be able to help you find the best place, but don't assume you'll be staying with them unless you've both agreed to it beforehand.

Have a contingency plan

Things can inevitably go wrong, so it's best to be prepared. What would you do if your date met you and lost all interest? Have a backup plan. Plan places to visit to keep you occupied during your stay there, and whatever happens, don't rely on your date to organize any immigration documentation. Make sure you know exactly how to get there and how to leave.

If you're looking to find your soulmate and are prepared to look anywhere around the globe, Flirthut has hundreds of thousands of international members, and it's free to use!