🔑 Key Takeaways
- Japan-U.S. collaborative surrogacy allows families to create embryos in Japan and complete the pregnancy in the U.S. through a surrogate.
- It is an ideal option for intended parents without U.S. visas, busy professionals, or those who wish to avoid long-distance travel.
- Ivy Surrogacy partners closely with Hanabusa IVF in San Diego to provide seamless coordination from embryo transport to birth.
- The process typically takes 15–18 months in total, including embryo creation, shipment, surrogate matching, and pregnancy.
Introduction
For many international families, the dream of U.S. surrogacy can feel out of reach due to visa restrictions, time constraints, or the challenges of long-distance travel. Japan-U.S. collaborative surrogacy offers a practical solution: embryos are created in Japan and then transferred to the United States for gestational surrogacy.
At Ivy Surrogacy, we’ve supported families through this unique pathway in close partnership with Hanabusa IVF in San Diego, combining world-class medical expertise with trusted surrogate matching.
Case 1: Overcoming Visa Barriers and Embracing Motherhood
One intended mother from China, over the age of 40, struggled with diminished ovarian function. She initially planned to undergo Mini IVF in San Diego at Hanabusa IVF, but her U.S. visa application was repeatedly denied. With time slipping away, she turned to Hanabusa Women’s Clinic in Kobe, Japan for egg retrieval and embryo creation.
The embryos were transported safely to San Diego’s Hanabusa IVF, where Ivy Surrogacy matched her with an experienced surrogate. After a second embryo transfer, the surrogate carried to term, and in July 2021, a healthy baby was born in Los Angeles.
Case 2: Busy Entrepreneurs, Efficient Planning
A couple from mainland China, both founders of a fast-growing tech company managing thousands of employees, faced intense time pressures. Though they both had U.S. visas, they opted for treatment in Japan for two main reasons:
- Minimal time zone difference between China and Japan, making travel and recovery far easier.
- The stimulation cycle was split—initial monitoring done in China, and only the final stage, including egg retrieval, required travel to Japan.
Their embryos were then shipped to Hanabusa IVF in San Diego. Through Ivy Surrogacy, they were matched with a qualified surrogate. The first embryo transfer was unsuccessful, but the second led to success. In July 2025, their baby was born in Sacramento.
Who Benefits from Japan-U.S. Collaborative Surrogacy?
- Families without U.S. visas but who want the security and legality of U.S. surrogacy.
- Busy professionals who cannot spend extended periods abroad.
- Intended parents who prefer to avoid the challenges of a 15+ hour time difference.
Ivy Surrogacy’s Role in the Process
At Ivy Surrogacy, we specialize in:
- Matching surrogates with proven experience.
- Navigating the legal and medical aspects of U.S. surrogacy.
- Supporting families throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
Together with Hanabusa IVF, we ensure that the cross-border process is seamless from embryo shipment to delivery.
Important Considerations
- FDA Testing – U.S. regulations require infectious disease testing for intended parents before embryos can be transferred to a surrogate. Learn more here.
- Embryo Transport – Choosing an experienced transport provider is essential. Read our guide on embryo shipping.
Conclusion
Japan-U.S. collaborative surrogacy provides an accessible, flexible, and safe path for families who want the benefits of U.S. surrogacy but face barriers to traveling or staying in the United States for extended periods.
👉 Contact Ivy Surrogacy to explore your options—we work hand in hand with Hanabusa IVF to create a personalized plan for your journey to parenthood.
FAQ – Japan-U.S. Collaborative Surrogacy Questions
1. Is transporting embryos from Japan to the U.S. safe?
Yes. With proper cryopreservation and experienced transport providers, embryos can be shipped internationally with minimal risk.
2. Will U.S. law still protect my surrogacy arrangement if embryos are created abroad?
Yes. As long as the pregnancy occurs with a U.S. surrogate, U.S. surrogacy laws apply.
3. How many times will I need to travel to the U.S.?
For Japan-U.S. collaborative surrogacy, most intended parents only need to come to the U.S. when their baby is born. If obtaining a visa remains a challenge, parents can authorize a trusted representative to travel to the U.S. and safely bring the baby back to their home country.
4. How does the cost compare to U.S.-only surrogacy?
The overall cost may be slightly higher, since families will need to cover FDA testing sample shipment as well as embryo transport from Japan to the U.S. However, many families find the time savings and reduced stress worthwhile.
5. Does the embryo have to be shipped to Hanabusa IVF in San Diego?
Not necessarily. While Hanabusa IVF has extensive experience handling embryos from Japan, families may also choose to send their embryos to another U.S. IVF clinic that agrees to receive and handle imported embryos.
6. How long does the process usually take?
From the initial ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval in Japan through embryo shipment to the U.S., families should expect several months. After that, the surrogacy journey in the U.S.—including surrogate matching, medical and psychological screenings, legal contracts, and pregnancy—typically requires at least 12 months. In total, most families should plan for a timeline of 15 to 18 months from start to baby’s arrival.
