Finding a Wife Overseas: Which Nationality Makes the Best Wives?

10 min readJun 27, 2024

The world is vast, and even though globalization is mixing things up, cultural differences still thrive. And you know what? That’s awesome because it makes our global community more colorful and gives singles a chance to meet partners with traits they’ve never encountered before.

I’ve put together a go-to guide for the best countries with mail order brides, packed with stats, research, and firsthand stories from foreign brides.

If you feel like your soulmate might be waiting on another continent, keep on reading.

P.S. Before diving in, check out the top dating sites.

Best Dating Sites to Meet a Foreign Wife Online

SofiaDate: A popular platform for meeting European women, featuring a translation service for smooth communication.
SakuraDate: Known for its easy-to-use interface and advanced matching algorithm that helps you find compatible partners quickly.
LatiDate: Specializes in connecting men with foreign women and includes video chat options for real-time conversations.
TheLuckyDate: Offers a large database of international women and features an instant chat to break the ice with potential matches.

Why Foreign Women Make Ideal Wives

Ever wondered why some guys start looking for a partner overseas instead of just sticking to their local area? While it’s important to remember that not all women are the same — Asian women differ from Latin brides, and Latin brides are distinct from Slavic women — there are some common traits that many foreign brides share:

Serious about marriage and family: Women from places like Brazil, Mexico, and Russia genuinely want to get married and start a family. They don’t do it just because it’s expected; they deeply value family life.
Beauty and health: While looks aren’t the only reason to marry someone, they often catch a guy’s eye. Many foreign women lead healthy lifestyles and take good care of themselves, which adds to their appeal.
Open-minded and adaptable: Women from Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe are not just stunning and family-focused; they are also friendly, strong-willed, and eager to embrace new cultures and improve their lives.

These are the traits that many foreign brides share, but what about the differences? Which countries are the best for finding a wife? Let’s dive into the top three popular countries for mail-order brides.

Top 3 Countries for Finding a Wife: Who Are They and Why Are They the Best?

I’ve been looking into marriage migration trends, and these are the top three countries where single men often find their perfect match.

🇺🇦 Ukraine: Ukrainian women are famous for being strong, family-oriented, well-educated, ambitious, friendly, and naturally beautiful.
🇵🇭 The Philippines: Filipino women are known for migrating to get married more often than women in other Asian countries. Men who’ve found love here often say Filipino women are caring, loving, supportive, open-minded, tolerant, and incredibly attractive.
🇧🇷 Brazil: If you’re considering a wife from Brazil, you can expect her to be spontaneous and emotional (some say this is just a stereotype, but Brazilian women tend to be more expressive than Russian or Thai women). They are also optimistic, self-reliant, confident, and irresistibly attractive.

How to Find a Woman for Marriage

Looking to marry someone from China or Latin America? Here are two ways to go about it:

Traveling to Her Country: If online dating isn’t your thing and you’d rather meet someone in person, consider moving to an Asian, Latin, or Eastern European country. Spend at least a year there, get on dating apps like Tinder, or find a job (native English speakers are often in demand). This isn’t for everyone, though. Not every guy has a remote job or is up for such a big move.
Joining a Dating Website: There are plenty of international and niche dating sites, including ones for mail-order brides from specific regions. These platforms are great for meeting women from places like China, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, or Ukraine who are interested in finding love abroad. These sites offer lots of tools to help western men build genuine relationships online and are a lot cheaper than moving temporarily to another country.

Most guys go for the second option since it’s more budget-friendly and easier.

Top 10 Countries to Find a Wife Overseas

Wondering if mail order brides are legal? Yep, they sure are! One of the legal ways for them to move to another country is by applying for a K-1 visa. We took a close look at the 2020 data and have some interesting figures to share with you.

Keep in mind, these numbers reflect a year when pandemic restrictions greatly lowered migration rates. Normally, the figures are 3 to 10 times higher.

🇵🇭 The Philippines: In 2020, 3,069 Filipinas applied for K-1 visas. Typically, around 7,000 get approved to come to the US.
🇲🇽 Mexico: Mexican women are also top contenders in international marriages, with 1,005 applications in 2020.
🇨🇳 China: Only 284 Chinese citizens applied for K-1 visas in 2020, mainly due to Covid restrictions and high travel costs.
🇨🇴 Colombia: There were 470 successful K-1 visa applications from Colombia, mostly by women looking to marry Americans.
🇧🇷 Brazil: Brazilian ladies continue to marry Americans, with 431 K-1 visas granted in 2020.
🇺🇦 Ukraine: Ukraine had 357 K-1 visa applicants in 2020, though normally, about 1,000 Ukrainian women marry foreigners each year.
🇹🇭 Thailand: 343 Thai citizens entered the US as fiancées in 2020, not counting those who married abroad and applied for a relative visa.
🇷🇺 Russia: In 2020, 277 Russian women moved to the US to tie the knot.
🇯🇵 Japan: Only 195 Japanese citizens applied for K-1 visas in 2020, but this number is usually higher.
🇰🇷 South Korea: Known for being a great place to find an Asian bride, South Korea had 176 K-1 visa applications in 2020.

Let’s dive into why these top 10 countries are so popular for finding a wonderful wife.

1. The Philippines

Ever noticed how many Filipinas marry Koreans, Japanese, and Americans? It’s not a coincidence! Filipino women are known for their strong commitment to relationships, making them amazing wives. Many guys who’ve married Filipinas rave about how loving and caring they are, expecting the same in return from their husbands.

In the Philippines, family is super important. But local women also look to foreign husbands for a modern take on family life. They want a partnership based on mutual respect and understanding, moving away from traditional gender roles.

2. Mexico

Mexican women are often chosen by American men for marriage, and these unions tend to last. There are many mixed American-Mexican families in the US. What makes Mexican women stand out?

Strong desire to start a family
A wish to have more children than most
Family loyalty as a top priority
Kindness, hedonism, and spontaneity

These traits make Mexican women great partners for American men. Plus, Mexican culture is quite similar to American culture, so they usually blend into society easily, unlike women from Eastern Europe or Asia.

3. China

China has seen a big change in attitudes toward intermarriage over the past few decades. Western culture and people have become very popular. American men, seen as “manlier,” are especially attractive to Chinese women. Dating a foreign guy is considered prestigious, so Western men often find girlfriends and wives there.

Chinese wives are known for being feminine, reserved, and devoted. But don’t mistake that for submissive! They’re also well-educated and ambitious. If you’re looking for a more traditional Chinese woman, rural areas are your best bet. For a more westernized partner, big cities are the way to go.

4. Colombia

Colombian women are a hit in the international marriage scene. While it’s not as close to the US as Mexico, Colombia is still a top pick for finding a girlfriend or wife for several reasons.

First off, Colombian women are quite drawn to Western men, thanks to the influence of Western culture. The folks in Colombia are generally open-minded and welcoming, so mixed marriages are no big deal here. Family is a huge deal for them, and many women are looking for reliable, loving, and successful foreign partners. It’s not just about the money; it’s about finding the right qualities in a partner.

Colombian women are also known for their spontaneity and optimism. They adapt quickly, making them some of the best foreign wives around.

5. Brazil

Brazil, like the US, is a melting pot of cultures. People here are tolerant, sociable, and don’t see intermarriage as a bad thing. Brazilians are some of the friendliest and most open people you’ll meet. Most are Catholics, so different religious backgrounds usually aren’t a big issue.

Relationships hold a special place in Brazilian culture. They value emotional connections over material things, and family is incredibly important. Brazilian women are picky about their partners, often preferring foreign men who aren’t influenced by machismo culture. They’re devoted and put in the effort to make relationships work, which is why so many Western men end up marrying Brazilian women.

6. Ukraine

Ukraine has had high intermarriage rates since the 90s, especially with Western men. Ukrainian women are known for their beauty, but there’s more to them than just looks. They’re smart, well-educated, ambitious, and hardworking, yet very family-oriented. They blend traditional and modern values seamlessly.

American men are seen as attractive, reliable, and caring in Ukraine. Ukrainian women find it easy to start relationships with foreign men, get married, and move abroad. They often speak English well and adapt quickly to Western life.

7. Thailand

Thailand is a top spot for finding a foreign wife, but there are a lot of myths out there. First off, don’t mix up Thai singles with bar girls. Most Thai women aren’t easy, and their reasons for marrying foreigners aren’t about money. They’re usually shy, friendly, sociable, and very family-oriented. Like many other Asian women, they’re incredibly devoted to their relationships, making them some of the most loving and caring wives around.

Thai women expect their partners to be just as attentive and committed as they are. Surprisingly, many educated women with good careers in Thailand struggle to find equal partners. This imbalance leads many Thai girls to look for love overseas, while foreign men are drawn to their loving nature and strong family values.

8. Russia

After the USSR fell apart, Russian women started looking westward, intrigued by the unknown. Initially, it was more about exploring new horizons than the men themselves. Over time, though, Russian women have found that marrying foreigners can help avoid many problems.

Russian brides often find American men to be more appreciative of their intelligence, beauty, and devotion. They see them as better educated, more reliable, and more eager to settle down. These well-educated Russian beauties often find successful partners abroad. For men, Russian women’s natural beauty, family values, intelligence, and kindness make them very appealing.

9. Japan

Intermarriages aren’t super common in Japan compared to places like the Philippines or Thailand, but more Japanese women are marrying foreign men. Japanese women find American guys exotic and more attractive than local men. There’s even a growing number of “herbivore men” in Japan who avoid sex and relationships. Western men are seen as more respectful, offering better chances for healthy, equal relationships.

Contrary to popular belief, Japanese women aren’t submissive. They’re educated and ambitious, valuing their families while also wanting partners who respect their personalities, values, and goals.

10. South Korea

In South Korea, many young women want to build relationships and start families. Dating is a big deal here, with a whole industry and tons of romantic holidays and shows. Despite this, many Koreans start relationships later and struggle to start families because of the intense work culture. Local women find foreign men attractive and often see them as reliable, supportive partners. This reliability is crucial when facing societal pressure to start a family.

Challenges of Finding a Foreign Wife

Finding a foreign wife isn’t always a walk in the park. You’re bound to encounter a few bumps along the way, whether you’re interested in a Chinese lady or a Russian gal. Here are the top three issues you might face, and knowing about them can help you decide if this journey is right for you.

Cultural Differences: Cultural differences aren’t inherently bad, but they can pose challenges. A happy family life depends on mutual respect for each other’s values and traditions, and the willingness to compromise.
Language Barrier: This might be a big deal depending on the country. For instance, if you’re eyeing Eastern European women like Ukrainian, Belarusian, or Russian brides, many of them speak English. Plus, language skills can be improved, and translation services can bridge the gap initially.
Religious Issues: Women from various regions come with different religious beliefs. Thankfully, you can choose brides who share your religion or come from countries where religious differences aren’t a significant issue.

Final Word

So, you’ve got a bunch of great countries to choose from if you’re an American guy looking for a wife. But how do you decide? It’s all about what matters most to you — look at the culture, values, and beliefs of each country and see if they align with what you’re looking for. There are plenty of regional dating sites and platforms where Western men can connect with local women — whether you’re into African women, European ladies, or Latin singles. Finding a loving and loyal wife is totally doable — you just need to take that first step and pick a reliable and safe online dating site.

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