Which country for first in-person meeting

[djw54 0]

I have met a woman from the Philippines online. We would like to meet in person. She wants to visit me here in the US because it is not safe in her area of the Philippines, Dumalinao, Zamboanga del sur. The US state department does in fact have a travel warning for her general area, regarding kidnapping and terrorist activity. I am happy to have her visit me, however having not met her in person, I am not at all comfortable with wiring money to her for airfare, passport and visa fees etc. Any thoughts, suggestions regarding logistics of the first in person meeting? What were logistics of planning your first in person meeting? Thanks in advance!

US State Dept. " avoid all non-essential travel to the Sulu Archipelago and through the southern Sulu Sea, and to exercise extreme caution when traveling to the island of Mindanao, due to continued terrorist threats, insurgent activities and kidnappings. "

[bowens44 214]

It's very difficult for someone from the Philippines to get a tourist visa. Meet in Manila or Cebu...

[almost_umrican 54]

Meet up in Singapore (there are about 25 more countries). the girl do not need a visa for 30 days to go to singapore. just a caution, USCIS/DHS considers Philippines and several other countries as high fraud countries, which means they will do anything to come to the US.

[jpiz777 3]

I have met a woman from the Philippines online. We would like to meet in person. She wants to visit me here in the US because it is not safe in her area of the Philippines, Dumalinao, Zamboanga del sur. The US state department does in fact have a travel warning for her general area, regarding kidnapping and terrorist activity. I am happy to have her visit me, however having not met her in person, I am not at all comfortable with wiring money to her for airfare, passport and visa fees etc. Any thoughts, suggestions regarding logistics of the first in person meeting? What were logistics of planning your first in person meeting? Thanks in advance!

US State Dept. " avoid all non-essential travel to the Sulu Archipelago and through the southern Sulu Sea, and to exercise extreme caution when traveling to the island of Mindanao, due to continued terrorist threats, insurgent activities and kidnappings. "

She has to get approved for a tourist visa to visit you and it may not be easy to obtain. I'm not sure if she already has one. You can meet her in Manila, Philippines. Good luck!

[LionessDeon 2,060]

Meet in another place near her that is more safe.

How long have you known her?

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

A flight for her is around 6500 pesos round trip to manila, less to cebu, better to risk $150 then potentially 1500+. I was in Zamboanga in April, in fact own land there. Dont be flashy, avoid known muslim areas you will be fine

[Illiria 980]

She has to get approved for a tourist visa to visit you and it may not be easy to obtain. I'm not sure if she already has one. You can meet her in Manila, Philippines. Good luck!

He mentions him having to pay for her to get a passport so I doubt that she has a visa already.

As others have mentioned there are plenty of safe areas in the Philippines to visit her instead it's not like the whole country has a warning right? If she is willing to fly to the US to meet you then she should be willing to fly to another part of her own country to meet you and if she isn't willing to do this then something is off.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Your setting yourself up for a possible scam. Meet someone where in the Philippines. Cebu is a great city, slightly larger but not a zoo like Manila is. My wife and I met in Cebu and had a great time together. You need to meet where you are still in control and USA is not the place as she can walk out your door and get lost in the population and you will not find her. Besides it's near impossible to get a visitor visa from PI to USA so again this could be a scam.

Play it safe. Meet her there.

[Boiler 45,579]

She is asking you for money, do you not find that a little strange?

[djw54 0]

Thanks all for the input. Meeting her in Cebu or Manila is a good plan. It's safer, she does not need to get a visa, and I don't have to send her money other than maybe transport from her home to Cebu or wherever. I am worried about scams as mentioned. But, if she's not willing to go along with such a plan that's a red flag. Do Philippine people ever lure in foreigners to rob or kidnap?

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

There are enough targets already there, if she is setting you up it seems personal, not political

[delarikcysamesex 1]

meet her in manila, its safer there…and just be careful, know her deeper and try to go on video chat…sadly some can just be setting you up, hope i have not offended you

Edited July 20, 2016 by delarikcysamesex

[EAPK 1]

If a person asked you too much money for her own paperworks its a redflag. I am sorry to tell you that. I am a Filipina myself. But from my point of view, I would think of your safety first before myself in my own country and I will tell you to meet somewhere else in my country than in my province of Mindanao cause I know how dangerous it is. And beside asking money from you is not a good sign. Try to know her more before sending money. Just a friendly advise know her more. I am sorry if I offended you, just be careful.

[djw54 0]

If a person asked you too much money for her own paperworks its a redflag. I am sorry to tell you that. I am a Filipina myself. But from my point of view, I would think of your safety first before myself in my own country and I will tell you to meet somewhere else in my country than in my province of Mindanao cause I know how dangerous it is. And beside asking money from you is not a good sign. Try to know her more before sending money. Just a friendly advise know her more. I am sorry if I offended you, just be careful.

Thank you so much. Very good advice. Actually, she has not asked me for anything yet. She does want to come to the US, but I am going to follow the good advice from you and other members.

[Unlockable 7,314]

If you are worried about scams then definitely take your time and get to know her or any other person you meet.

Also, if she is desperate to come to the US then that may be the bigger goal rather than asking for a few bucks for you to send her every now and then.