Travel Restrictions, Home Lockdown, and Air Travel Ban: The Momentous Quest to Unite with a Beloved Son
Acquiring a child through international surrogacy has become a lengthier process due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Traditionally, parental travel to the United States has been arranged ten days prior to the expected delivery date. However, Growing Generations, a leading surrogacy and egg donation agency in the U.S., now asks parents to arrive at least a month beforehand, reflecting the unpredictable nature of the pandemic and related travel restrictions.
Jessica Junyent, Vice President for International Development at Growing Generations, shares insights on these changes with IL. Constrained by national borders, parents from almost ninety countries have encountered extended stay periods in their home countries or in adjacent regions. Those originating from the Schengen area, the UK, Ireland, China, and Iran have to undergo a double quarantine before returning home with their children. A typical lockdown duration is around fifty days, with couples spending the first two weeks in isolation abroad and the following fourteen days in the U.S. city where the baby will be born.
Two couples from Andorra, for instance, experienced a stay spanning approximately fifty days. After surmounting initial quarantine requirements in Toronto, they traveled from Chicago to Las Vegas for additional lockdown before returning with their child. Meanwhile, Chilean fathers were able to rely on direct flights from Santiago to Miami and Atlanta for their quarantine period before meeting their newborns.
The post-birthion experience has also been subject to changes, as travel for infants is discouraged due to health considerations. Parents, therefore, frequently remain in the U.S. for a month, awaiting the necessary documentation to depart with their child. The process involves obtaining a U.S. passport, but only after the birth certificate is issued with the biological father's name or both parents' names for heterosexual couples. It is advisable to consult legal experts and travel agencies for up-to-date guidance in these matters.
Through continuous monitoring of travel restrictions and health updates from relevant authorities, families can maintain a safe and relatively seamless journey during this extraordinary period. Regardless, ensuring accurate legal procedures and health and safety precautions remain essential when welcoming a baby through international surrogacy.
Jessica Junyent, Vice President for International Development at Growing Generations, recommends a month-long stay in one's home country or nearby regions for parents undergoing international surrogacy, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and uncertainties. Embracing a sustainable-living approach, some home-and-garden projects can be undertaken during this extended stay, contributing to a remarkable international lifestyle transformation.
