Top 5 surrogacy destinations for residents of Canada

Opting for surrogacy is a decision that comes with its own difficulties for couples in Canada. It is well known that embarking on this task of life can be an arduous and demanding process, testing the resilience and determination of those who have the cherished aspiration of becoming parents.

Therefore, in addition to cultivating inner strength, love, and patience to navigate the potential challenges that may arise, it is essential to have adequate financial readiness for the entire surrogacy journey.

Although it is understandable why surrogacy is an expensive process, no matter which destination you choose to carry it out, many intended parents wonder where it’s possible to save money.

In this article, we present a selection of the best destinations to make surrogacy more affordable, taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of each country.

1. Colombia 

Colombia has gained recognition as a top choice for surrogacy, known for its welcoming environment, easy accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. Family Aims, a prominent international surrogacy agency, provides comprehensive assistance to prospective parents from Canada, overseeing all legal and medical processes within Colombia. Their commitment to maintaining costs within the agreed-upon budget underscores their dedication to facilitating a smooth surrogacy journey.

The commendable track record of Babynova Clinic by Novafem, a partner clinic with extensive experience in assisted gestation, serves as a strong endorsement of the exceptional experience offered.

Waiting lists for surrogacy in Colombia are offering 2 to 3 months longer, that’s short compared to other clinics around the world. This is an advantage for parents who want to start the process as soon as possible.

And also helps to reduce the overall cost, which starts at $65,000 USD, making Colombia an attractive option for those looking for low-cost surrogacy with greater accessibility.

2. United States 

Despite being one of the countries with a thriving surrogacy industry and housing expert agencies and specialized clinics, surrogacy treatments in the United States can be financially burdensome for foreigners. Additionally, foreign intended parents often face the challenge of obtaining a specific visa, which can be expensive or, in certain cases, completely unattainable depending on their nationality.

Surrogacy within the United States can be an expensive option, even for residents who have to navigate interstate moves. The absence of standardized regulations for surrogacy across the country leads to additional costs associated with these relocations, ultimately contributing to an increase in the overall surrogacy budget.

It is crucial to consider that, apart from visa costs and complying with state legislation requirements, the number of attempts included in each surrogacy plan and the need for additional tests can significantly contribute to a substantial increase in expenses.

Therefore, it is to be taken into account that the costs may even exceed 200,000 USD, a figure that may increase depending on the surrogacy method chosen, as well as on the number of attempts included.

3. Georgia 

Surrogacy in Georgia is affordable, but you must know that this treatment is only for heterosexual couples with more than one year of relationship.

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

Affordable surrogacy options are available in certain European countries for their residents. For instance, Cyprus is known for its specialized clinics that offer surrogacy procedures at prices around 65,000 USD, making it an appealing destination for individuals seeking more budget-friendly surrogacy options in Europe.

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.

Moreover, the paperwork required for intended parents without European nationality is extensive, leading to additional expenses to access specific services and facilitate unrestricted movement during the surrogacy 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.

This indicates that individuals interested in surrogacy must travel to these specific regions to undergo the procedure, or take the risk of attempting it in another state with uncertain legal processes.

Moreover, the growing demand for this service, combined with legal constraints in other regions of the country, results in increased expenses for the process, averaging around 55,000 USD. Furthermore, unlike other surrogacy destinations, the staff may not consistently possess specialized training or expertise.

Also, some legal aspects may be compromised to access the baby’s documentation, since the procedure is not legalized in all states, which increases expenses due to additional documentation and transportation issues.

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 the legality of surrogacy in the specified states, there is typically limited demand for this procedure due to their lack of popularity as tourist destinations and limited economic investment. As a result, foreigners may be dissuaded from selecting these states as the preferred choice for their surrogacy journey.

Competitive pricing for residents of Canada

When couples aspire to start a family, they often hesitate to cut corners on expenses as it is considered the most precious and fulfilling endeavor they can undertake 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.