Online dating is nothing new, but where singles used to prefer matching up to other singles living near them, the preference for international singles has increased dramatically. Bottom line, we want foreign partners to satisfy our curiosity and need to connect.

International online dating has increased drastically in the last decade, with apps and dating sites specifically providing services to match Western men and women with foreign partners becoming big business.

From matching algorithms and translation services to gifts and singles tours, the international online dating companies pull out all the stops to help you find your perfect foreign match.

Your chances of meeting a suitable single from an exotic locale are quite good, thanks to these platforms.

Challenges to International Online Dating

When you’re ready to dive into the international online dating market, you may face a few challenges that you should be prepared for.

For starters, you will be chatting to ladies or gents from other countries. Being in a different country brings some barriers that can stop your relationship before it even begins. However, when you work through an international online dating site, you have a customer representative to ask for help.

Plus, the singles who are on these sites know that foreigners (that’s you, dear American adventurer) are somewhat different, and they are more tolerant of Americanisms and cultural misunderstandings. However, you should do your homework and learn about the culture from which you will be looking for a match.

Unfortunately, scammers know international dating sites better than the singles who frequent them. This means you may frequently have to fend off a few sharks that may want to try and pull a scam on you. But more on this later.

If your relationship moves to the next level and you want to bring your partner over to the States, you may face quite an expensive road of immigration and visas.

I’m not saying this to scare you off, but you should be prepared to prevent heartache.

Pros and Cons of International Online Dating

There are several pros and cons to dating someone from another country. These cons can be avoided by taking care to avoid scams and issues and ensure a successful international romantic liaison.

Pros

1. Huge number of willing foreign singles available on sites

2. No need to leave home to look for a foreign bride or partner

3. Some security measures to ensure you are chatting to an actual person and not a scammer (dependent on the platform you choose)

4. Larger number of singles willing to chat online and meet their match than in person

5. Bridging services such as translators, cultural resources, and help desks to help you connect with other singles, even if they aren’t in your area already

Cons

1. Despite security measures, scams and con artists still abound

2. The costs of international dating with translation services, potential cultural dilemmas, and cost of taking the relationship to the next level can be high

Scams in International Online Dating

When dating international singles, it can become difficult to know whether a potential partner is above board or a scammer at work. As with local dating, international online dating can become a way to get bamboozled into a romance trap. Some scams include getting singles to send money, vouchers, gifts, and shares to the scam artist. The innocent single, believing they are in love, may pay money for cryptocurrency investments that turn out to be fraudulent.

Successful Experiences in Online Dating

It’s not all bad in online dating. True, there are several ugly stories of singles who have lost a small fortune each to international dating scams. However, there are many successful relationships that start on international dating platforms.

To meet your love, just keep your wits about you. Ask for video calls, meet in public somewhere, and be careful if your love match starts asking for money or assets.