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Building Your Family Through Surrogacy in Canada:

A Guide for Overseas Intended Parents Choosing PCRM

For many people living in countries where surrogacy is restricted or illegal, including much of Europe, the dream of building a family through gestational surrogacy can feel out of reach. At the Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine (PCRM), we are proud to support intended parents from around the world who are seeking a safe, ethical, science-driven surrogacy experience in Canada.

Canada’s legal framework, combined with PCRM’s advanced reproductive technology and experienced third-party reproduction program, makes British Columbia a trusted destination for international families beginning their surrogacy journey.

Below is a guide to help overseas intended parents understand how the process works and what to expect when partnering with PCRM.

Why Canada — and PCRM — Are Ideal for International Surrogacy

Canada is one of the few countries where gestational surrogacy is legal, well-regulated, and grounded in patient protection. Under the Assisted Human Reproduction Act, Canadian surrogacy must be altruistic, meaning surrogates cannot be paid beyond reimbursement of reasonable expenses. This structure protects both intended parents and gestational carriers, and fosters an environment built on trust, consent, and compassion.

At PCRM, our Third-Party Reproduction Program is recognized for:

• Exceptional IVF success rates and modern laboratory technology
• Extensive experience working with out-of-country patients
• Coordinated care with surrogacy agencies, legal experts, and international medical teams
• Clear communication, virtual consultations, and streamlined timelines
• Compassionate, culturally sensitive support for intended parents navigating fertility treatment far from home

Step 1: The Initial Consultation (Virtual)

Your journey begins with a virtual consultation with a PCRM fertility specialist. During this appointment, we will:

• Review your medical history
• Discuss treatment options
• Provide an overview of the surrogacy process in Canada
• Outline expected timelines, costs, and requirements
• Answer questions about travel, legal implications, and logistics

Most overseas patients complete their first several steps from home, making the process accessible regardless of your location.

Step 2: Creating Embryos at PCRM

International intended parents will be required to travel to Burnaby for one key reason: to undergo an IVF cycle to create their embryos and complete the Health Canada screening.
Embryos are typically created using:

• Eggs or sperm from the intended parent(s), or
• Donor eggs or sperm, if required

After fertilization, resulting embryos are cultured, cryopreserved, and stored safely at PCRM until a suitable gestational carrier has been fully screened and approved.

Step 3: Finding and Matching with a Gestational Carrier

International intended parents often work with a Canadian surrogacy agency to help find, match, and support a gestational carrier.

Once matched, PCRM begins:

• Comprehensive medical screening
• Psychological assessment
• Infectious disease testing
• Review of obstetrical history
• Evaluation of the surrogate’s suitability and readiness for treatment (completed in person at PCRM)

Only when all clinical, psychological, and legal criteria are met can treatment move forward.

Step 4: Legal Requirements for International Surrogacy

Surrogacy agreements are legally required in Canada and must be drafted by lawyers who specialize in reproductive law.

For overseas parents, your legal team will help you with:

• Drafting and reviewing the surrogacy agreement
• Navigating the legal process to establish parentage
• Preparing documentation required for birth registration and citizenship/passport applications in your home country

Because surrogacy laws vary widely across Europe and other regions, PCRM strongly encourages patients to connect with both Canadian legal counsel and a lawyer from their home country who understands international parentage.

Step 5: Treatment, Embryo Transfer, and Pregnancy Support

Once all approvals are complete, the intended parents’ embryos will be prepared for transfer into the gestational carrier at PCRM.

Throughout pregnancy, care is typically coordinated between:

• The gestational carrier’s local obstetric team
• Your surrogacy agency
• Any legal providers involved

Overseas families often stay closely connected to the process via virtual updates, medical reports, and scheduled check-ins.

Step 6: Preparing for the Birth — What International Parents Should Know

Many international parents travel to Canada several weeks before the expected due date so they can be present for the birth. Your surrogacy agency and legal team will assist with:

• Travel timelines
• Temporary accommodation
• Birth-hospital policies
• Newborn care preparation
• Citizenship and passport paperwork

Because each country has unique requirements for recognizing children born through surrogacy, planning early is essential. Your Canadian lawyer will help prepare all documents to support a smooth return home.

Compassionate, Expert Care for Families Around the World

For many international patients, choosing PCRM means choosing a safe, ethical, medically advanced, and emotionally supportive path to parenthood. Surrogacy may be prohibited in your home country, but it is possible and protected in Canada.

At PCRM, we consider it an honour to help build families across continents. If you are exploring surrogacy as an overseas patient and want to learn more, our team is here to support you every step of the way. Reach out to [email protected] to begin the conversation.

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