Choosing surrogacy is a decision fraught with challenges for couples in Canada. It’s widely acknowledged that embarking on this life-changing journey can be a strenuous and demanding process, one that rigorously tests the resilience and determination of aspiring parents.
Therefore, in addition to arming oneself with strength, love, and patience to face the obstacles that may arise along the way, it’s also necessary to be financially prepared for the whole process.
While the high costs associated with surrogacy are comprehensible regardless of the chosen destination, many intended parents often wonder where they can find opportunities to save money during the process.
This article showcases a compilation of the top destinations that offer more economical options for surrogacy, carefully evaluating the pros and cons of each country.
1. Colombia
Colombia has garnered acclaim as a premier destination for surrogacy, lauded for its warm hospitality, convenient accessibility, and affordability. Family Aims, a respected international surrogacy agency, offers holistic support to prospective parents from Canada, managing all legal and medical procedures within Colombia. Their unwavering commitment to cost transparency ensures that expenses align with the agreed-upon budget, demonstrating their steadfast dedication to ensuring a seamless surrogacy experience.
Its great experience is also endorsed by an allied clinic with extensive experience in assisted gestation, such as Babynova Clinic by Novafem.
Surrogacy waiting lists in Colombia are notably shorter, with an extension of 2 to 3 months compared to other clinics worldwide. This provides a significant advantage for parents who are keen to initiate the process expeditiously.
Furthermore, the shorter waiting period in Colombia not only aids in minimizing the overall cost of surrogacy but also makes it an appealing option for individuals seeking greater accessibility and affordability. The cost of surrogacy in Colombia starts at $65,000 USD.
2. United States
While the United States offers a wide range of surrogacy options through its extensive network of expert agencies and specialized clinics, the cost of surrogacy treatments in the country can pose a significant financial challenge for foreign intended parents. Moreover, obtaining a specific visa for surrogacy purposes can be a costly endeavor or, in some instances, entirely out of reach depending on the nationality of the intended parents.
This destination is even more expensive for residents who have to move between states, as surrogacy is not regulated throughout the country in the same way. These moves generate expenses that increase the overall surrogacy budget.
It is also important to keep in mind that, in addition to the costs related to the visa and requirements of each state legislation, the number of attempts included in each plan and the additional tests, can be factors of a high increase in expenses.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the costs for surrogacy can potentially surpass 200,000 USD, and this amount may increase based on the chosen surrogacy method and the number of attempts included in the process.
3. Georgia
Surrogacy in Georgia offers affordability, yet it’s important to note that this option is exclusively available to heterosexual couples with a relationship of at least one year.
The base cost of surrogacy in Georgia is 55,000 USD. However, the new legislation that come into force in 2024 forbids surrogacy for foreigners, which limits access to this treatment to same-sex couples, and foreigners who decide to carry out surrogacy in this country.
Given the prohibitive legislation in force that involves numerous complications even for natural residents of Georgia, this destination is a possible one for its legality, but a difficult one to access for those interested.
4. Cyprus
Some European countries offer very affordable options for their residents. Cyprus, for example, has clinics specialized in surrogacy procedures with prices around 65,000 USD.
Nevertheless, the high demand for surrogacy procedures coupled with a small local population results in limited candidate availability. As a consequence, there is often a need to expand the search beyond the country’s borders to find suitable surrogates to carry out the procedure.
As a result of this restriction, foreigners who seek to become gestational carriers are required to travel to a different country to give birth to the newborn. This, in turn, raises the costs, risks, and legal fees associated with the surrogacy process.
In addition, the amount of paperwork for those intended parents who do not have European nationality is huge, and requires additional expenses to access certain services and to move freely during the procedures.
Therefore, surrogacy in this country is an option that requires careful financial planning.
5. Mexico
Among the Latin American nations, Mexico stands as one of the exceptions that permits surrogacy, although comprehensive regulations are only clearly defined in a handful of states.
As a result, those interested in surrogacy are required to travel to these particular regions to pursue the procedure, or explore the option of attempting it in another state, which introduces uncertainty regarding the legal process.
Furthermore, the rising demand for surrogacy services, coupled with legal restrictions in other parts of the country, drives up the cost of the process to approximately 55,000 USD. Additionally, unlike other surrogacy destinations, the staff may not always possess specialized expertise.
Moreover, obtaining the necessary documentation for the baby can be compromised due to legal limitations in certain states where surrogacy is not fully legalized. This situation leads to increased expenses due to the need for additional documentation and potential transportation complications.
Although for residents living near states where surrogacy is allowed, the lack of training in some healthcare facilities may add complications for foreign parents traveling to these states for the first time, as they do not have the necessary guarantees of social security, like other countries.
Despite surrogacy being allowed in the indicated states, the demand for this procedure there is usually quite low as they are not tourist destinations, and don’t have great economic investment, which may dissuade foreigners from choosing this destination as the ideal one for surrogacy.
Affordable prices for residents of Canada
Many couples do not dare to skimp on expenses when they wish to have a family, because it’s the most beautiful project they can make together.
However, it is essential to have a comprehensive plan in place and be prepared for any potential challenges that could arise. This is crucial to minimize complications that may affect the emotional and financial stability of the individuals involved.
Therefore, although there are many options for surrogacy, it is important to choose wisely and look at the bigger picture beyond choosing the destination that offers the best prices. You should think about which offers the best opportunities to achieve the dream of having a child if you live in Canada.
