With infertility rates on the rise, more and more international couples have chosen to travel to Russia for surrogacy in previous years, due to its unique legal and economic advantages. Russia is one of the few countries in the world where surrogacy is legally open after 2022.Only married couples and single women in the country are allowed to have children through surrogacy.The Russian surrogate has a clear determination of paternity (the child is automatically granted Russian citizenship). Together with the relatively low cost, the total cost of Russian surrogacy is about 60-70 thousand dollars. Moscow, St. Petersburg and other places have international certified IVF clinics, the use of advanced embryo transfer technology, success rate and safety is highly recognized.
However, in recent years Russia has gradually tightened its policy on surrogacy (Ban on surrogacy by foreigners in 2022), sparking controversy in the industry. This article will analyze the legal process, cost components and potential risks of Russian surrogacy in depth, providing a practical guide for prospective parents.
I. Legality and legal framework of surrogacy in Russia (Is surrogacy legal in Russia?)
Legality of surrogacy in Russia
Surrogacy used to be open to foreigners in Russia, but has been completely banned since 2022. According to the latest policyCurrently, only Russian citizens can apply for surrogacy services, and the law strictly limits the qualifications of applicantsThe
Past legal framework until 2022
Groups are allowed:
Russia used to be one of the few countries in the world that allowed commercial surrogacy. In accordance with the Basic Principles for the Protection of the Health of Citizens of the Russian Federation and the Family Code, as amended in 2011, both married couples (including foreign nationals) and single women (who require a medical certificate of infertility) may apply for surrogacy.
Legal safeguards:
The surrogacy agreement is protected by law, biological parents become direct guardians without the need for adoption procedures, and the child automatically acquires Russian citizenship.
Latest surrogacy policy changes in Russia from 2022 to date
Prohibition of surrogacy for foreigners!
In 2022 Russia passed a bill that explicitly prohibits the use of surrogacy services by foreigners and stateless persons. The bill states:
- Only Russian citizens may apply for surrogacy and the applicant must fulfill the following conditions:
- Married couples (at least one of them is of Russian nationality, married for one year, aged 25-55).
- Single women (medical certificate of infertility required).
- The surrogate mother must also be a Russian citizen.
Legislative background:
The tightening of the policy stems from concerns about "child trafficking". According to Russian data, some 45,000 surrogate children have been taken abroad over the past decade, sparking ethical and legal controversy.
Russian Triple IVF+Kyrgyzstan Surrogacy Joint Program
So in the face of the current legal situation in Russia, and want to enjoy the most advanced three-generation IVF technology in Russia, is there any other program that can guarantee the legality of surrogacy, but also directly in Russia to do IVF? Of course there is!
The option of transporting embryos to Kyrgyzstan for surrogacy after three generations of in vitro fertilization (PGT) in Russia is highly feasible, legal and convenient.The details are as follows:
1. Operationalization: mature technology and clear transnational processes
International embryo transfer is a standardized process. Specialized companies cryopreserve embryos in liquid nitrogen tanks and monitor the temperature and safety of the entire transport to ensure that the activity of the embryos is not affected. Russia and Kyrgyzstan are both members of the Eurasian Economic Union, so medical documents (such as embryo test reports and medical licenses) can be mutually recognized across the border, reducing legal barriers.
2. Legitimacy: complementary laws in both countries to circumvent policy restrictions
In vitro fertilization techniques (including three-generation IVF) are permitted in Russia and the medical use of embryos is not prohibited. After completing the embryo culture, the embryos can be legally entrusted to an international company for transfer to Kyrgyzstan.
In Kyrgyzstan, on the other hand, commercial surrogacy has been explicitly allowed since 2024, with no restrictions on nationality, marital status or sexual orientation, and is available to both singles and the LGBT community. The child is registered directly in the name of the prospective parents after birth.
3. Convenience: Simplified processes and controlled costs
Professional surrogacy agencies can provide a full range of services from Russian IVF cycles, embryo transportation to Kyrgyzstan surrogacy matching, reducing the complexity of user operations.
The total cost of surrogacy in Kyrgyzstan starts at about $60,000 (including medical and surrogacy compensation), which is lower than in Russia (about $60,000-$80,000) and the United States ($150,000+).
The proximity of the two countries and the short time of embryo transportation (usually 2-3 days) reduces the risk of transportation.
The whole process of Russian surrogacy in detail: transnational collaboration from in vitro to delivery
1. Choosing a surrogacy agency and legal counseling
The prospective parents need to choose a professional surrogacy agency non-intermediary (e.g. local Russian or multinational surrogacy service provider), confirming compliance with Russian legal requirements (e.g. medically certified inability to reproduce on their own), both for IVF in Russia and for legal surrogacy in Kyrgyzstan. The agency is required to provide legal documentation support for both Russia and Kyrgyzstan to ensure that the embryo transportation and surrogacy process is legal.
2. Medical examination and program development
Couples are required to complete a full medical examination in Russia to confirm suitability for IVF and surrogacy. If egg or sperm donation is required, the agency will assist in matching.
The doctor develops an ovulation program based on the woman's ovarian function, with the goal of obtaining multiple eggs to improve embryo quality. The cost of this stage is approximately $10,000 to $20,000 dollars.
3.Russian three-generation in vitro fertilization and embryo culture
Ovulation and egg retrieval
The female partner undergoes ovulation induction in a Russian clinic for about 10-14 days, followed by egg retrieval through a minimally invasive procedure. The male partner is synchronized to provide sperm.
Embryo culture and screening
The laboratory combines eggs and sperm to form embryos, which are screened for genetic disorders using PGT technology. High-quality embryos are frozen and preserved for transfer.
4. Transnational transportation of embryos to Kyrgyzstan
Technical guarantees:
The embryos were transferred to Kyrgyzstan through a specialized cold chain transportation company, and were cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen (-196°C) throughout the process to ensure that the activity was not affected.
Legal convergence:
The Russian clinic provides the embryo test report and medical license documents, and the Kyrgyz surrogacy agency receives them and initiates the matching process.
5. Matching surrogate mothers in Kyrgyzstan
Screening criteria:
Surrogate mothers are required to meet the requirements of age 20-40, a healthy reproductive history, etc., and background checks and psychological evaluations are conducted by the agency.
Agreement signed:
The prospective parents sign a contract with the surrogate mother that specifies the rights and obligations of both parties (e.g., pregnancy care, compensation, etc.), and the law of the Kyrgyz State recognizes the validity of the agreement.
6. Embryo transfer and pregnancy management
Transplantation:
After the selected surrogate mother's menstrual cycle, the embryos were thawed and transferred to her uterus. Success rate is approximately 60%-70%.
Pregnancy monitoring:
Surrogate mothers have regular maternity check-ups at the clinic in Kyrgyzstan, and the agency provides full life support (e.g., accommodation, nutritional guidance).
7. Delivery and birth certificate processing
Place of delivery:
Cities with better medical conditions, such as Bishkek, are usually chosen to ensure the safety of mothers and babies.
Legal procedures:
Birth certificate: after the birth of the child, with the surrogacy agreement and the report of the genetic test, the child is registered in Kyrgyzstan, and the information on the parents is entered directly.
Travel documents: Application for a travel permit through the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan requires a paternity test and a notarized birth certificate.
8. Transnational process advantages
The above operation process can circumvent Russia's 2022 ban on surrogacy for foreigners, and also greatly reduce the cost of surrogacy, with a total cost of about $60,000-$80,000 (including in vitro and surrogate compensation), which is lower than that of the United States or Europe.
Fourth, the cost of Russian surrogacy (Russian surrogacy costs know how much?)
followingBreakdown of total cost of Russian IVF + Kyrgyz surrogacy The program covers the entire process from in vitro medical treatment to cross-border surrogacy:
Description of key costs
Russia's most advanced three-generation IVF procedure is about $120,000 - $180,000 for a single cycle, including fertility drugs (accounting for 30% - 40%), surgery and laboratory operations.
Cost-effective: total cost of $500,000-$650,000, only 1/2 of US surrogacy ($1,000,000+).
LEGALITY: Kyrgyzstan's new 2024 law explicitly supports commercial surrogacy, circumventing Russia's ban on foreigners.
V. How to choose a surrogacy agency
1. Institutional qualifications and legitimacy
Legal Compliance:
Agencies need to be legally registered and comply with the surrogacy laws of China, Russia and Kyrgyzstan.
Preference is given to organizations that work with well-known hospitals (e.g. NGC, Delta Hospital in St. Petersburg).
2. Industry experience and case accumulation
Experienced agencies are more familiar with the risks of the process. For example, Merrylife in Kyrgyzstan has been operating for five years and has handled hundreds of surrogacy cases. At the same time, agencies are required to have legal advisors and counselors to provide full process support.
3. IVF Success Rate
The success rate of three-generation IVF (PGT) at top Russian institutions is up to 70%-80%, avoiding institutions that seek cooperation with unknown hospitals in order to save costs. The better the technology, the higher the success rate.
4. Surrogate mother screening and management
Strict screening criteria:
- According to Kyrgyz law, surrogate mothers need to fulfill:
- Age 20-34 years, with at least 1 healthy child.
- Through psychological evaluation and screening for infectious diseases.
Pregnancy support system:
Quality organizations provide exclusive care for surrogate mothers (e.g., nutritionist, obstetrician for regular follow-up).
5. Transparency of service content and costs
Includes in vitro medical treatment, embryo transportation (if cross-border surrogacy is required), legal documents processing, and paternity confirmation. Fees can be paid in installments and cannot be increased in the middle of the process without reason.
VI. Frequently Asked Questions about Russian Surrogacy (Russian Surrogacy FAQ)
1. What are the requirements for IVF in Russia?
The age requirement is usually 25-45 for women and 25-55 for men, with success rates decreasing with age.
2. What is the success rate of Russian IVF?
The success rate of three-generation IVF (PGT) in top Russian hospitals is about 60%-70%, especially in screening for genetic disorders and in patients of advanced age. The woman's age, ovarian function, embryo quality and doctor's experience can affect the results.
3. Can I choose the gender of my Russian IVF?
Sex screening of embryos is not prohibited in Russia, and sex can be selected through third-generation IVF techniques (PGS/PGD).
The process of testing chromosomes before embryo implantation and selecting the target sex embryo for transfer takes about 3-6 months.
4. The process of egg donation by Russian surrogates?
- Matching Egg Donors: Agencies screen for healthy women aged 20-30 based on demand.
- Ovulation and egg retrieval: egg donors undergo ovulation and egg retrieval procedures in Russian clinics.
- Embryo culture: eggs are combined with sperm, screened by PGT and frozen.
- Legal agreements: clarify the rights and obligations of egg donors and ensure that embryos are clearly attributed.
summarize
Russia used to be one of the few countries in the world that allowed commercial surrogacy, but a new law in 2022 bans surrogacy for foreigners and limits applications to Russian citizens (married couples or single women). Kyrgyzstan has become a new surrogacy destination due to its liberalized laws and lower costs. The total cost is around 500,000-700,000 RMB, including in vitro medical treatment, surrogacy compensation and legal services.
To summarize.Transnational Surrogacy Program Combining Russia and Kyrgyzstan Combines Legitimacy and EconomicsHowever, it is important to pay attention to policy changes and potential risks, and to make sure that fertility goals are coordinated through professional organizations.
