1. Real Consultation Scenario: The Dilemma of a 39-Year-Old Woman with AMH 1.2
A client sent a test report online: AMH 1.2 ng/mL, FSH 9.8 IU/L, only 2 antral follicles in the left ovary. She explicitly stated: "After two failed ovarian stimulations domestically without obtaining a transferable embryo, I want to try Georgia, but there are so many agencies. How do I choose?"
Behind this question lies the common anxiety of countless families facing overseas assisted reproduction—information opacity, language barriers, and difficulty in cross-border rights protection. Based on 10 years of industry observation, this article deconstructs the key decision points for selecting a surrogacy agency in Georgia.
2. Direct Answer: Four Core Indicators with Veto Power
When choosing an agency, the following four items are indispensable. Any item that fails to meet the standard should lead to direct elimination:
| Evaluation Dimension | Specific Criteria | Verification Method |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Legal Qualifications | The agency must have a business license (business scope includes "medical consultation") and must present a formal authorization agreement (not verbal) with a Georgian fertility center. | Request a photo of the business license and a stamped copy of the authorization letter; verify the fertility center's license on the Georgian Ministry of Health website (requires translation). |
| 2. Fee Transparency | All fees must be itemized: medical fees (stimulation drugs, egg retrieval, embryo culture, PGT, transfer), agency service fees, airfare, accommodation, etc. No "package price" without details. | Request a detailed price list and compare with the official pricing of top-tier Georgian fertility centers (e.g., UNICA official website prices). |
| 3. Contract Terms | Must include: refund conditions (failed retrieval, no transferable embryo, failed transfer, etc.), liability division (medical accidents, embryo loss), dispute resolution method (arbitration in China or Georgia). | Carefully read the liability for breach clauses; refuse to sign contracts stating "all interpretation rights belong to the agency." |
| 4. Local Services | Must have a Chinese coordinator based in Georgia, or at least a cooperation agreement with a local professional medical translation company. | Request the coordinator's contact information and conduct a video call in advance to confirm their identity. |
3. Doctor's Perspective: Three Signals of Distrust from Reproductive Doctors Towards Agencies
Doctors with long-term cooperation with multiple Georgian fertility centers have privately expressed reservations about certain agencies:
- Overpromising success rates: "Our center's live birth rate for women under 35 is about 65%, but the agency claims over 80%." — The doctor considers this false advertising.
- Demanding full upfront payment without an invoice: Legitimate centers only charge medical fees; agency service fees should be paid in installments (upon signing, after arrival, before transfer).
- Frequently changing partner hospitals: If the same agency recommends different fertility centers each month, it indicates no stable cooperation.
4. Differences Between Hospitals: Comparison of Mainstream Georgian Fertility Centers
When choosing an agency, you must require them to specify the name of the partner fertility center and allow you to communicate directly with the center. Below are the differences among three well-known centers in Georgia:
| Fertility Center | Specialty | PGT Technology | Chinese Services | Common Agency Cooperation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNICA | Advanced age, poor ovarian response | In-house genetic lab | Full-time Chinese translator | Direct contract with hospital; some agencies have no interface |
| InVitro | Egg donation, sperm donation | Third-party cooperation | None, requires external translation | Long-term cooperation with a few agencies |
| Chachava | Blastocyst culture, recurrent miscarriage | In-house PGT | Part-time translator | Most commonly recommended by agencies, but needs scrutiny |
What needs to be confirmed: Is the hospital recommended by the agency officially authorized? You can ask the agency to provide a confirmation email or a scanned copy of the authorization letter sent by the hospital to the agency.
5. The Most Overlooked Detail: Legal Jurisdiction and Embryo Ownership
Many users only focus on success rates but overlook a critical issue—if a medical dispute arises, does Chinese law or Georgian law apply?
- Contracts from legitimate agencies will clearly stipulate: medical disputes are handled under Georgian law, while disputes arising from agency services can choose Chinese arbitration.
- Some agencies vaguely write "both parties negotiate," but in reality, if a medical accident occurs (e.g., pelvic infection from egg retrieval), cross-border rights protection is nearly impossible.
- Another frequently overlooked point: embryo ownership. If a couple divorces or one spouse dies, how is the embryo handled? Georgian law has provisions for this, but does the agency inform you clearly before signing?
6. Common Pitfalls: These Promises Are All Tricks
Based on industry observations, be highly vigilant against the following three common sales pitches:
- "Guaranteed success package": No legitimate fertility center in Georgia offers a "guaranteed success" service. If an agency proposes "full refund if not successful," it often comes with harsh conditions (e.g., must transfer all embryos, or must accept egg donation).
- "We are relatives with the hospital leadership": This is a typical name-dropping tactic to make users give up verifying the hospital's qualifications and prices. Legitimate cooperation always has written agreements.
- "Referral fee deducted from medical costs, no service fee": In reality, the agency receives a high commission from the fertility center (usually 20%-40% of the medical fee), but the user ends up paying higher medical costs than going directly to Georgia.
7. Actual Process: Complete Timeline from Consultation to Transfer
After choosing an agency, the entire process usually takes 3-6 months (faster with egg donation; own eggs require a stimulation cycle). Below are the standard milestones:
- Weeks 1-2: Domestic tests (AMH, hormones, semen, chromosomes, infectious diseases); the agency coordinates translation of reports and sends them for pre-approval by the Georgian hospital.
- Weeks 3-4: Finalize the plan, sign the contract and pay the first service fee; simultaneously apply for a passport and visa (Georgia e-visa issued in 5 days).
- Weeks 5-6: Travel to Georgia, meet the doctor, sign medical consent forms, start ovarian stimulation (about 10-14 days).
- Week 7: Egg retrieval, embryo culture, PGT (takes about 1 week).
- Weeks 8-9: Frozen embryo transfer or wait for the next cycle.
If opting for egg donation, the timeline can be shortened to 1-2 months, but the authenticity of the donor's information must be confirmed in advance.
8. Special Situations: Strategies for Low AMH, Advanced Age, and Repeated Failure
AMH below 1.0 ng/mL or age over 40: Such users often need at least 2-3 egg retrievals to accumulate embryos. The agency should offer a "multi-cycle package plan" with fees paid per cycle rather than a lump sum upfront. Beware of agencies demanding a one-time purchase of a "three-cycle package," as it is difficult to get a refund for subsequent cycles if quality issues arise in the first.
History of multiple failed transfers: It is recommended to ask the agency to provide proof of cooperation with a hospital in Georgia capable of hysteroscopy, as well as quotes for procedures like endometrial receptivity testing. If the agency is unaware of these procedures, it indicates a lack of professionalism.
9. Industry Observation: Two Types of Agencies
Based on feedback from 100+ clients I have interacted with, surrogacy agencies in Georgia can be broadly divided into two categories:
| Type | Characteristics | Client Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Resource-based Agency | Has a physical office in Georgia with a permanently stationed Chinese coordinator; can provide client cases from the past 6 months (anonymized); willing to let users communicate directly with the hospital. | Smooth process, on-site problem-solving; medical fees consistent with official website, service fees transparent. |
| WeChat Group Agency | Operates solely via WeChat, no fixed office; repeatedly urges signing and payment; cannot provide hospital authorization proof. | May be unreachable after going abroad; opaque fees; prone to contract disputes. |
10. Risk Reminder
Choosing a surrogacy agency in Georgia is the first step in cross-border medical treatment and the stage with the highest concentration of risks. Pay special attention:
- Any promise of "100% success" or "guaranteed genetic background of the egg donor" constitutes false advertising.
- Do not choose an agency solely based on recommendations from Xiaohongshu or Douyin; many recommendations come from paid posters.
- Before signing, ensure all promises are written into the contract appendix, including the specific hospital name, doctor's name, fee details, and refund conditions.
- If possible, it is recommended to contact the international department of the Georgian fertility center directly (some centers have English services) to confirm whether the agency is on the official cooperation list.
Assisted reproduction is a serious medical procedure. Information transparency is the only way to protect yourself.
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