Most intended parents arrive at international egg donation for one of two reasons: the donor profile they are looking for is not available where they live, or the legal framework at home does not allow the kind of donation they want (known, with contact, or simply with a full profile). An international egg donation program solves both, but it adds something most agencies do not talk about enough: logistics. This guide explains how Suma Fertility runs a cycle with a traveling donor, step by step.
01What "traveling donor" means
Our donors live in Spain and Latin America. When you choose one of them, she travels to your clinic, in the United States or elsewhere, for the stimulation and the egg retrieval. You keep your own medical team; we bring the donor to it, with everything around her organised: flights, accommodation, insurance, legal advice and a companion if she wishes.
This is a fresh cycle. The eggs are retrieved at your clinic and fertilised there, which is what many clinics and parents prefer over shipped frozen eggs.
02How donors are screened
Our donors are selected through a rigorous process that goes well beyond basic medical tests. Every donor must:
- Be between 18 and 30 years old.
- Be at least 1.65 m tall.
- Lead a healthy lifestyle and show emotional stability.
- Pass a complete medical, psychological and genetic evaluation.
- Communicate clearly and follow the process responsibly.
- Be available to travel abroad for the donation.
Medically, the process runs in two stages. First, we arrange pre-screening in the donor's home country: the required blood tests, hormone levels, an ultrasound and the compatibility checks your clinic asks for. Once approved, she travels to complete ovarian stimulation and the retrieval at your clinic, following your clinic's protocol. We coordinate medical records and genetic screening with your clinic directly.
03The journey in four steps
- Case review. We go through your situation, your clinic's requirements and your preferences with you, and with experienced attorneys where needed, so that donor selection meets every medical, psychological and legal requirement from the start.
- Donor selection. Choose from our private database or let us guide you to the right match. Every profile is verified, with full coordination of medical and genetic screenings. If you do not find the right profile immediately, we start a personalised search through our network of universities, model agencies, fertility partners and clinics.
- Legal and logistics. Contracts, insurance, travel and clinic coordination. You can work with your own clinic and legal team; if you need guidance, we introduce professionals selected for your case.
- IVF and support. Once the donor is cleared, we coordinate the medical process with your clinic, with ongoing support until embryo creation.
In many cases the whole journey takes around three months on average. Timelines depend on your preferences, on whether the donor is first-time (full screening) or has donated before, on her availability to travel and on your clinic's scheduling.
04Known, semi-open or anonymous
You will always receive the donor's essential profile information, with additional details available on request where appropriate. The level of contact depends on what you want and on the arrangement you choose:
- Known donation: both parties may meet and exchange contact details.
- Semi-open donation: communication is facilitated through the agency or the clinic.
- Anonymous donation: no direct contact takes place.
The arrangement follows the law of the country where the cycle takes place and what both parties agree. We explain what is possible in your case, and you choose the model that fits your family.
05The guarantees
Four guarantees set our program apart, and all four are written into your agreement:
- Healthy Embryo Guarantee. If no healthy embryo is achieved, a new cycle is offered at no additional agency fee.
- Donor Replacement Guarantee. If the donor cannot proceed for medical or legal reasons, we rematch you with another suitable donor at no additional agency fee.
- Single Embryo Assurance. If a single healthy embryo does not lead to a live birth, you receive 50% off the agency fee for one new cycle.
- Repeat cycle. Another cycle with the same donor carries a 20% lower agency fee.
They come with rigorous local medical evaluations, comprehensive cycle management from legal aspects to clinic coordination, and direct communication throughout.
06What it costs and how payments work
We provide a clear financial structure from the outset: the agency fee, the donor compensation, the travel expenses and any third-party costs where applicable. Donor compensation in our program typically ranges from USD 5,000 to 25,000, with higher amounts for repeat or exceptional donors. Payments can be managed through an escrow account if you prefer. You will have the full breakdown in writing before anything starts, and no surprises after.
07Who this is for
- Intended parents in the United States who want a European or Latin donor with a full profile.
- Parents who want a known or ID-release donor and cannot find that option where they live.
- Same-sex couples and single fathers building a family through egg donation and surrogacy, who need donor and surrogacy coordination in one place.
- Clinics and agencies that need a reliable supply of screened, travel-ready donors.
