Welcome Natalie to the Site.
As you may have read vist visas are not easy ut if he has been trusted on a boat which im sure as been to most countries on the planet worth running away to that might swing in his favour.
Your trying to work with him to see if the relationship sounds a goer it is a good idea to see people in as many different enviroments for sure.
Good luck to the two of you and hope whatever happens it turns out alright
