90 Day Fiancé viewers who keep up with the franchise and its many spinoffs likely notice when reoccurring patterns start to emerge for the various couples. Cultural differences that lead to tension, for instance, or how American cast members' families are often worried that foreign girlfriends and boyfriends are only wanting green cards from the marriages. Whatever the situation may be, though, a lack of money always seems to be an issue for a lot of couples that are prominently featured.
Sure, there are exceptions, and the franchise will occasionally feature a financially well-to-do spinster looking for love abroad. By and large, however, the 90 Day Fiancé highlights many couples who happen to be in financially tight spots going into their seasons. For those that have been curious about this phenomenon, there would appear to be a few key factors that play into why the show focuses on relationships that are hamstrung by struggles with money. Again, not everything is going to be true for every couples featured, but there do seem to be some consistencies worth noting.
The K1 Visa Process Can Be Expensive
One costly element that's frequently alluded to on 90 Day Fiancé is the fee associated with acquiring a K1 Visa. Currently, the costs associated with obtaining the right paperwork and U.S. government permissions will run about $2,025 (via Nolo.com), and that's only if additional certifications and whatnot aren't needed. Many couples also hire attorneys to work the ins and outs with the approval process, which occasionally involves clearing up any legal discrepancies preventing significant others from entering the United States. Needless to say, costs can add up quickly in a short amount of time, which can put anyone in a financial bind.
International Travel Is Expensive
90 Day Fiancé is about couples finding love internationally, and if each person is serious building a relationship together, they have to meet in person. In fact, a requirement of the process is that couples meet at least once in the two years before filing for the process. But as David Murphey and others have shown, multiple trips to different destinations are not uncommon in an international romance. It's no secret that plane tickets abroad are not cheap, and if multiple tripes are required in a year's time, we're talking about thousands of dollars added to the K1 Visa fees.
Producers May Seek Out Certain Couples To Heighten The Drama
It's always important to remember 90 Day Fiancé only highlights a handful of couples in each spinoff compared to the many that participate in the K1 visa process each year. The producers may be more willing to put someone on television who is already facing heightened stress, and few things in life cause fissures in relationships quite like money. Additionally, couples who may be desperate to bring in funds are probably more willing to have their experience documented (truthfully or otherwise) on television, especially with the potential to spin those reality show presences into a successful side business.
While there will no doubt be other reasons that cause cast members to fall prey to financial hardships, it's hard to ignore the items listed above as potential causes. 90 Day Fiancé airs on TLC Sundays at 8:00 p.m. ET. Continue to stick with CinemaBlend for all the latest happening in television and movies.
