LD GF wants me to pay for her visa and flights

Hi, I’m in a long distance relationship with my gf and asked her to move to my country.

She said she would only if:

1) I pay for first class flights which is around $5k (she refused to fly economy even though economy is only $600)

2) I pay for her visa (which is really expensive, around $10k) even though she’s allowed to visit my country for up to 6 months without a visa so my suggestion was to come for 6 months, fly back for 1-2 weeks to visit her family then come back for another 6 months and repeat but she said no.

I asked why I had to pay for everything and her response was because “you asked me to move to you, so I have to be the one to drop my life in my country for you so you need to be the one that pays for everything” then I was like so if I move to your country will you pay? And she was like “no because then you will be the one wanting to move here” I asked to split it 50/50 and she was like “no”. 


I understand her viewpoint but I really don’t think she’s being grateful or respectful or valuing the concept of money, like she’s expecting me to just whip out $10k like it’s nothing? She’s like “you work for a bank you can afford it. Even I work as a teacher and I can afford the $10k” I was like so if you can afford it why don’t you pay half with me then? And she was like “no that’s my money I earned for myself, I’m not wasting it on the flight and visa you need to pay”

also I feel the demand for the visa is a bit unnecessary and also the demand for first class is way too extreme like there’s even celebrities out there that don’t pay for first class cause it’s such a waste of money.

not sure what to do, I’ve been saving for the past few years to pay for a deposit for a house so I can finally stop renting but this $10k would just eat away that deposit and I’d have to start from scratch again.

but I also don’t want to lose my gf and I’m unsure who’s in the wrong?

12 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights and considerations for your situation:

  1. Financial Expectations and Fairness:

    • It's important to have a balanced approach to financial responsibilities in a relationship. Your girlfriend's expectation that you cover all costs because you asked her to move might not be entirely fair, especially if it significantly impacts your financial goals, such as saving for a house deposit.
  2. Compromise and Communication:

    • Relationships thrive on compromise and mutual understanding. You suggested a reasonable alternative (visiting for 6 months without a visa), but she declined. It might be worth having a deeper conversation about why she feels so strongly about her demands and if there are any middle grounds you both can agree on.
  3. Value of Money and Financial Priorities:

    • Her insistence on first-class flights and an expensive visa, despite being able to visit without one, suggests a potential mismatch in how you both value money and prioritize spending. This could be a red flag for future financial compatibility.
  4. Long-Term Implications:

    • Consider the long-term implications of this financial strain. If you deplete your savings now, it could delay your plans to buy a house and achieve other financial goals. Weigh the importance of these goals against the immediate demands of your relationship.
  5. Mutual Respect and Gratitude:

    • Feeling unappreciated or that your efforts are not valued can lead to resentment. It's crucial that both partners feel respected and that their contributions are acknowledged.
  6. Alternative Solutions:

    • Explore other solutions, such as splitting the costs or finding a more affordable way for her to visit. If she can afford the $10k, perhaps she can contribute more to the expenses.

In summary, it's essential to have an open and honest discussion with your girlfriend about your financial concerns and find a solution that respects both your financial goals and the relationship's needs. If a compromise cannot be reached, it might be worth reconsidering the dynamics and future of the relationship.

Sources: Girlfriend facing 100K+ Student debt...stay or leave, Do you pay all travelling expenses for your girls (guys)?, 6 Things to Consider Before Accepting an International Work Assignment, Is my IB analyst personal budget realistic?, Vice Chairman’s Daughter Fixing Diversity in The SA Class of ‘22

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

If you’re already quibbling about money, it is only going to get worse as your relationship progresses. Proceed with caution. 

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Have you met her in person? This sounds like a love scam.. Does your name happen to be Manti Te'o?

Assuming you have met her in person: It's reasonable to assume that a loving girlfriend should want to be with you over anything else. Maybe the visa is so she can have some security if you break up, idk. But the business class flights? Come on. When we were (briefly) long distance, my then-girlfriend was willing to ride the greyhound to see me (fortunately we were able to make other arrangements). Not even being willing to chip in at all.. ridiculous.

This all reeks of a toxic person, but frankly I have a huge suspicion that this woman is some catfish and Andrew Tate is probably her pimp

 

Corp_titanBut the business class flights? 

He didn’t say business class flights, he said first class, which is even more than business class.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 
Most Helpful

If you capitulate you're a simp. Dump and move, this isn't a relationship buddy you're a mark. 

"If you don't have any enemies in life you have never stood up for anything" - Winston Churchill | "It's a testament to the sheer belligerence of the profession that people would rather argue about the 'risk-adjusted returns' of using inferior tooth cleaning methods." - kellycriterion
 

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