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Mail Order Bride Pricing: How Much Does Foreign Bride Cost In 2024?

Updated: 12/12/2023

14 min read

The pandemic drove wedding expenses in the US from $28,000 to $19,000 between 2019 and 2020. And while the mail order bride cost is more challenging to calculate, marrying a foreign woman can be more budget-friendly than holding a traditional ceremony in the US.

So let’s review the major expenses to help estimate a dating and marriage budget.

Main information about mail order bride cost

💸 The most expensive mail order bride countries	Japan, Mexico
💵 The cheapest mail order bride countries	Philippines, Ukraine
💰 Average cost of a mail order bride	$8,700 — $28,000
🆓 Best FREE mail order bride sites	SofiaDate, SakuraDate
🎁 Best International dating sites with welcome bonus	La-Date, GoldenBride

P.S. Before you start reading, check out top-3 mail order bride websites by our experts.

3 Best Mail Order Bride & Dating Sites with Affordable Price

4.9

Try to calculate the cost of your future wife

How much does a mail order bride cost?

To make our mail order wife cost calculation accurate, we’ll account for all major expenses, from your first meeting to the wedding reception, including:

Mail order bride average pricing explained

Online dating site fees
— $60 to $150 per month, depending on the platform and the features you use. Multiply by the number of months in use.
Travel costs
— $2,000 to $4,000 for a two-week trip to the mail order bride’s country of origin. The exact price depends on location, season, etc.
Dates
— up to $1,000; again, the expenses vary depending on the country and your fiance’s lifestyle preferences.
K-1 visa
— around $2,300, including all necessary forms and immigration and permanent residence paperwork.
Wedding
— $3,000 to $30,000, depending on where you’re going to hold the ceremony: your lady’s country of origin or the US.

Can you buy a wife?

❗No, you cannot buy a wife online or offline.❗

Mail order brides aren’t goods you can research and compare, like you would on Amazon, before adding your final selection to the cart and checking out. That’s human trafficking, and it’s illegal across all civilized states.

Instead, you can sign up for a mail order bride site account, find a suitable partner, and build a relationship that will ultimately lead to marriage and your happily ever after.

Factors affecting the mail order bride cost

There are dozens of factors to account for when answering the question, “How much is a mail order spouse?”. But we’ve distilled them into the five most crucial ones:

Mail order bride online dating site fees. The longest part of your relationship will be long-distance and held through a dating site, so monthly payments will add up quickly, especially if you go heavy on expensive video chat tools or gift delivery.
Future wife’s country of residence. If you intend to visit your mail order bride before bringing her to the US, the distance will affect your expenses. Latin American countries are the closest, with the cheapest airfare. Airplane tickets to Asian and Eastern European countries are more costly.
Mail order bride and your lifestyle preferences. If you’re both used to luxurious pleasures and hedonistic delights, your courting will inevitably drive up the cost of mail order bride.
Relocation and legal costs. One of the critical and inevitable aspects of the mail order brides price is the cost of a K-1 visa and related paperwork.
Wedding expenses. The budget will be very different if you go with a courthouse wedding or a grand church ceremony with hundreds of guests.

With this basic understanding of the critical aspects of the mail order bride cost, let’s now seek a better understanding of each one.

What does the mail order bride price include?

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s take a closer look at what comprises the cost of a mail order bride. Please remember that we specify average figures, and your expenses may be higher or lower.

🌐 Online dating expenses

How much is a mail order bride site? Such dating sites usually fall under two categories:

A monthly subscription is usually between $50 and $100, though some mail order brides sites may require extra payment for premium features. With a premium membership, you can search and talk to potential partners as much as you want, so it’s the best option if you plan to accelerate your search for a mail order wife.
Credit packages cost anywhere from $9.99 to $399 across the best international dating sites and cover various features, from live chat and mail to access to private photos and videos. Sites with credit systems are perfect if you want to explore at your own pace and control expenses.

To calculate your total dating site expenses, multiply the monthly fee by the number of months before the wedding and add extra costs, like gift or flower delivery. Your annual expenses can reach $1,500.

To save money, remember to cancel your monthly subscription and automatic credit top-up when you find your match and decide to switch to other communication tools. Most dating sites will not refund money on your balance.

👉 Here are top-5 mail order bride & dating sites with affordable price in 2024:

Free App	Starting price	Registration
free app	$2.99 starting price – $2.99	FREE free registration
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free app	$2.99 starting price – $2.99	FREE free registration
free app	$2.99 starting price – $2.99	FREE free registration

✈️ Travel costs

Surprisingly, when men first ask themselves, “How much does it cost to mail order a bride?” travel is not among their top priorities. Considering it can account for 25% to 50% of your total mail order bride price, let’s go over the major factors affecting the cost of your trip:

Country. The airfare hinges on the departure and arrival airport location. For example, a trip from Texas to Mexico will be much cheaper than a round trip from LA to Russia. After the pandemic, flight prices can be unpredictable, so we recommend monitoring them for a while before buying the tickets.
City. Hotel stays in capitals and big cities are usually more expensive than in small towns. However, you’ll need to account for additional local transportation expenses and time to get from the major airport to your final destination.
Season. Many mail order brides come from tropical countries and popular tourist destinations, which can drive up the cost of plane tickets and hotel stays. So while it can be exciting to attend the Brazilian Carnival with your mail order bride, the trip during the “peak” tourist season will cost twice the price of a stay during the low season. On the other hand, low tourist seasons usually come with cold, rain, or storms that don’t make for a good backdrop for a budding romance.
Lifestyle. The ultimate cost of mail order bride will depend on your tastes and your lady’s preferences. If you don’t need much to be happy and your fiance feels the same, even a hostel or a cheap hotel will do. But if you’re used to comfortable accommodations and wish to pamper your sweetheart, a 5-star chain hotel or a boutique Airbnb will suit your needs much better. The expenses will range from tens to thousands of dollars per night, and only you can decide how much you’re ready to spend.
Duration of stay. Most mail order brides will expect you to stay for one to three weeks, and your expenses will go up with every passing day. On the one hand, you can get a better deal for a hotel or rental apartment. On the other hand, your food and entertainment budget will double or triple.

The travel part of the mail order brides cost can amount to $1,000+ for airfare plus $50 to $100 per day on accommodation and food, discounting the dates with your partner. We’ll cover specific prices in detail below.

🎁 Dates & gifts

Have you ever wondered, “How much does a wife cost in the US?” The wining and dining can be pretty expensive, especially in big cities. In most cases, courting a foreign woman will be cheaper, considering the average rates:

Romantic dinners. The cost depends on the type of establishment you choose. Medium-range restaurants usually charge around $100 for dinner for two, though you can probably find cheaper alternatives for about $30 to $50.
Entertainment. Eating out every night of the week is not your only option, so look up local movie theaters, shows, sights, etc. Most mail order bride destinations will provide ample entertainment for two for $50 to $100 per night.
Gifts and flowers. Mail order brides do not expect a massive diamond ring on your first real-life date, so you can bring a small token of affection and buy flowers from a local florist without breaking the bank. Otherwise, your gift budget can range from $50 to $5,000.

If we only consider the dating budget, how much does a mail bride cost? With an average nightly date budget of $50 and $100 reserved for gifts, you’ll need around $800 for a two-week stay. Now think about how much you’d spend at home if you went on a date every night.

📄 K-1 visa cost

The only non-negotiable item on the mail order brides pricing list is the visa application. Foreign mail order brides must apply for a K-1 visa and cover the fees of several application forms, including permanent residency. You can use the fee calculator to learn the exact price you’ll need to cover. The current rates are:

Form I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé — $535
Form DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application for K-1 visa — $265
Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status — $1,140
Biometrics for Form I-485 — $85
Medical examination — up to $500
Form I-134 Declaration of Financial Support — no filing fee

If you’re unsure you can fill out the paperwork without issues, a consultation with an immigration lawyer or consultancy service won’t go amiss, even if it adds extra expenses to your mail order wife cost.

💒 Wedding cost

If your question of “How much are mail order wives?” goes beyond meeting your future wife and comprises the wedding ceremony, you can always consider tying the knot outside the US. Unless you and your mail order bride settle on a courthouse ceremony, the wedding expenses will include the venue, decorations, food, drinks, cake, and a photographer or videographer.

According to the Wedding Price Index, Pakistan and India are the cheapest countries to host a wedding, with an average cost of under $4,000. Getting married in The Hamptons or Positano, Italy, is the most expensive, with average prices of over $40.000.

Average mail order bride price by country

All Latam Europe Asia Slavic

If you already have your mind set on a specific destination, take a look at the average expense estimates before registering at mail order bride services.

Region/Name of costs	Online Dating	Travel	Dates & Gifts	K-1 Visa	Wedding	Total cost
Asia	$60–$150	$1,200–$3,100	$200–$600	$2,300	$5,000–$18,000	$8,700–$25,000
Latam	$60–$150	$800–$1,600	$300–$800	$2,300	$8,000–$20,000	$12,000–$26,000
Europe	$60–$150	$1,200–$2,800	$200–$800	$2,300	$5,000–$20,000	$8,800–$28,000

Also, take a closer look at the best countries to find a wife.

🇵🇭 Average cost of Filipino mail order bride

Airfare: $600–$1,000, depending on the airport and the tourist season.
Accommodation: around $300 for a 14-day stay in a mid-range hotel ($15–$20 per night).
Public transportation: $100–$200, with buses and ferries being the cheapest, and taxis—the most expensive modes of transportation.
Daily expenses: around $300, as street food and fast food are relatively cheap, while fancy restaurants may have checks exceeding $50 per person.
Dates: $300–$500, depending on how often you wish to treat your mail order bride to fancy entertainment.
Wedding: around $18,000, that’s the average cost of a wedding ceremony in Batangas, Philippines.

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🇻🇳 Average cost of Vietnamese mail order bride

Airfare: $700–$1,200, with high tourist season resulting in the highest prices and low season being very affordable.
Accommodation: $200–$400 on average, like plane tickets, hotel stay rates depend primarily on the time of year you choose to visit your mail order bride.
Public transportation: around $200; even if you primarily use taxis, transportation in Vietnam is pretty affordable.
Daily expenses: about $200, as most local eateries offer reasonable rates, and your future wife will help you find the best restaurants without overpaying.
Dates: approximately $200—$400; even fancy Vietnamese restaurants are cheaper than American eateries, making Asian mail order brides affordable for most American men.
Wedding: around $6,000 is the average price of the ceremony in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

🇹🇭 Average cost of Thai mail order bride

Airfare: $1,000–$1,800, depending on the season, your departure and arrival airport.
Accommodation: around $600–$1,200, likewise dependent on the tourism season and your comfort level preferences.
Public transportation: $150–$350 on average, as you can reach most destinations by bus or train instead of taxis.
Daily expenses: approximately $30–$80, considering local cuisine is affordable even beyond street food.
Dates: about $300–$600; though there are plenty of destinations, most are overpriced throughout the high tourism season.
Wedding: around $15,000 for a wedding ceremony in Phuket, Thailand.

Thai Mail Order Brides: Interview, Guide & Sites

🇺🇦 Average cost of Ukrainian mail order bride

Here we should note that traveling to Ukraine is dangerous now because of the war that Russia started. The prices we provide here are old and current average for you to see if Ukrainian bride cost fits your budget.

Airfare: around $500–$900, depending on the season and the airport, though the Ukrainian airports have stopped accepting civilian flights since the start of the Russian invasion, so you can only reach Eastern Europe by plane.
Accommodation: $200–$400 on average, as the hotels are much cheaper in small cities than in Kyiv or Lviv.
Public transportation: about $100–$200, depending on your preferred mode of travel; even train tickets are cheap in Ukraine.
Daily expenses: approximately $50–$100, as groceries and eateries are mostly affordable if you don’t go for fine dining every night.
Dates: around $200–$400, as entertainment rates are relatively tame compared to the US.
Wedding: $5,000–$15,000, and the cost hinges on the location and the number of guests.

Ukrainian Mail Order Brides: Interview, Guide & Sites

🇷🇺 Average cost of Russian mail order bride

Airfare: about $800–$1,500, as most airlines now have to circle EU airspace to reach Russian airports.
Accommodation: $300–$1,000, depending on the city of your stay.
Public transportation: $200–$400 on average, though bullet train tickets can push the rates even higher.
Daily expenses: approximately $50–$100, as the mid-range restaurants are affordable across smaller towns.
Dates: around $400–$800, depending on how much you’re willing to spend on entertainment.
Wedding: $10,000–$20,000, and the cost may rise further if you go with a traditional church wedding and hundreds of guests in Moscow or Saint Petersburg.

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🇲🇽 Average cost of Mexican mail order bride

Airfare: $200–$400, you can drive from some states, and airplane tickets are pretty affordable.
Accommodation: approximately $200–$400, depending on the comfort level of the hotel you pick.
Public transportation: $100–$200 on average, as you’ll be able to reach most destinations by car or bus.
Daily expenses: about $200–$300, depending on your grocery shopping and take-out preferences.
Dates: around $300–$600, based on how fancy and romantic you wish your dates to be.
Wedding: around $8,000–$20,000, depending on the destination and venue. Mexican ceremonies can be affordable or nearly as expensive as those in the US.

Mexican Mail Order Brides: Interview, Guide & Sites

How to save money: Tips to reduce the cost of mail order bride

As we’ve established, the cost of the mail order bride depends on multiple factors and can exceed your budget. To keep the expenses manageable, use a few simple tips:

Mind the online dating site expenses. Once you find your perfect partner, you may wish to give up the more expensive communication tools, like video chats. On the other hand, using free dating websites is not a viable saving option, as they are more prone to scams.
Plan ahead when traveling. The sooner you book your flight and hotel room, the more affordable the prices will be.
Set a courting and wedding budget. Expensive gifts and hundreds of guests at the reception aren’t as important as true affection and care.

If you and your future wife are on the same page regarding expenses, you can save enough money for a romantic honeymoon or your lovenest.

Conclusion

Nelly Perry

Dating Expert

“Now you know there’s no way to calculate the exact mail order brides cost. But you also have all the facts and figures to make the best international dating sites work on your budget, whether you dream of an exotic Asian beauty or a captivating Latina wife.”

VIDEO BONUS: How much for a mail order bride? — All costs & expenses revealed

F.A.Q.

What is the average price of getting a mail order bride?

Discounting the wedding expenses, mail order bride cost ranges from $9,000 to $30,000 depending on your dating site choices, travel preferences, etc. You cannot avoid two major expenses: mail order site fees and K-1 visa application.

Are mail order bride sites more expensive than usual dating sites?

Not unless you use free dating sites or apps. Local and international dating services with premium features charge an average of $50 to $100 for a monthly subscription. The credit packages are a bit harder to compare, but you should still budget around $150 for such services per month.

What affects mail order bride pricing?

The significant factors affecting the mail order brides cost include online dating site fees, mail order wife’s destination and the time of year you pick to visit her, immigration fees, and wedding expenses.

Can you reduce the cost of mail order brides?

Dozens of factors affect mail order bride prices, but travel and wedding ceremonies are the most significant expenses. If you visit your fiance during the low tourist season and opt for a courthouse ceremony when your future wife arrives in the US, you can halve the mail order bride cost.

Is it worth it to spend money on a mail order bride?

Only you can answer this question for yourself. Mail order bride pricing isn’t much different from local dating and wedding expenses, which can sometimes be lower. So if you find your perfect match online across the globe, meeting her in person and helping her come to the US is worth it.

Is there any fixed price for mail order brides?

No, there is no fixed mail order bride price. International dating sites offer monthly subscriptions and credit packages but don’t sell foreign brides. Instead, you can access thousands of dating profiles and multiple communication tools.

Our Editorial Team

Written byNelly Perry, Dating Expert

Nelly is our experienced writer who clearly understands how international dating works. She has been using international dating apps for more than 3 years, and she has dating profiles on all the most popular services that exist in 2023. Nelly understands how to analyze information, how to test the websites, and how to find out what an average user of a dating website wants. As a certified writer with a master's degree in Writing and English Literature, Nelly has solid knowledge about delivering useful information to our readers.

Learn more about our Editorial Team