Egg Donor FAQ
Any woman who meets certain basic requirements can donate eggs. Generally, the criteria can be divided into three main categories: physical appearance, physiological conditions, and mental health.
1. Physical Appearance Requirements:
Height: At least 160 cm
BMI: Between 18.5 and 24
No unhealthy habits (including staying up late, smoking, drinking, or drug use)
Education: College degree or higher
Physical appearance plays a significant role because intended parents in the U.S. can see anonymous donor photos. Besides BMI, taller height, higher education, and well-proportioned facial features can provide an advantage.
BMI: Between 18.5 and 24
No unhealthy habits (including staying up late, smoking, drinking, or drug use)
Education: College degree or higher
Physical appearance plays a significant role because intended parents in the U.S. can see anonymous donor photos. Besides BMI, taller height, higher education, and well-proportioned facial features can provide an advantage.
2. Physiological Requirements:
Age: 19–31 years old
No genetic or infectious diseases
Before donation, a series of medical examinations will be conducted to ensure eligibility. These tests not only confirm that you meet egg donation criteria but also provide a comprehensive health check-up for yourself.
No genetic or infectious diseases
Before donation, a series of medical examinations will be conducted to ensure eligibility. These tests not only confirm that you meet egg donation criteria but also provide a comprehensive health check-up for yourself.
3. Mental Health Requirements:
No mental health disorders
Not taking antidepressant medications
Not taking antidepressant medications
These three categories are considered the basic requirements and can serve as a self-assessment before scheduling a consultation. Exact criteria may vary slightly depending on the clinic or agency. For questions, you can always consult a reputable, legal service provider for a free online consultation.
Typical compensation ranges from USD $8,000 to $20,000.
Egg banks or hospitals usually offer around USD $8,000 for first-time donors.
Donors with prior experience may receive around USD $9,000.
For intended parent matching, the minimum compensation starts at USD $10,000.
Donors with prior experience or special advantages (such as higher education or above-average height) may receive higher amounts.
There is a significant difference in egg donation limits between Taiwan and the United States. In the U.S., government regulations allow a woman to donate eggs up to six times. In Taiwan, under the Artificial Reproduction Act, a woman can only donate eggs once.
According to Article 10 of the Artificial Reproduction Act, a reproductive clinic may not provide reproductive cells from the same donor to more than one couple at the same time. Once one couple successfully becomes pregnant using the donor’s eggs, the clinic must stop providing eggs from that donor to others. The purpose of this regulation is to prevent ethical issues and reduce the risk of genetic disorders.
After donating eggs, donors receive a “nutritional allowance.” The term refers not only to post-retrieval recovery but also to the nutritional expenses incurred before the egg retrieval to ensure optimal egg quality. These costs, such as purchasing healthy foods and supplements, are considered “hidden” expenses associated with the donation process.
Additionally, any upfront costs, such as flights, are also considered part of the expenses. It is important to clarify all fees during the consultation and to confirm multiple times when signing the contract whether these costs will be covered by the egg donation agency or are the donor’s responsibility.
Actually, the egg donation process in the U.S. is not difficult or overly complicated. However, for women who have never donated eggs before, the procedures—from medical screenings to ovulation monitoring—are not something experienced in everyday life. Therefore, before deciding to donate, it is essential to assess your physical and mental well-being and prepare yourself psychologically for the process.
11 Steps to Understand the U.S. Egg Donation Process
| Step | Details | Timeline |
| Step 1: Submit Application | Confirm whether you meet U.S. egg donation eligibility requirements. | 1 week |
| Step 2: Follicle Check | Medical examination of ovarian follicles. | ~1 month (depending on menstrual cycle) |
| Step 3: Genetic Screening | Laboratory testing for genetic conditions. | ~1 month (lab results processing) |
| Step 4: Chromosome Screening | Karyotype analysis to check chromosomal health. | ~1 week |
| Step 5: Infectious Disease & Liver/Drug Tests | Screening for STDs, liver function, and medication effects. | 2 weeks |
| Step 6: Take Birth Control Pills | Regulate the cycle before ovarian stimulation. | 14–28 days (varies per individual) |
| Step 7: Apply for U.S. ESTA Visa | Online application for travel authorization to the U.S. | Online, quick process |
| Step 8: Purchase Flight Tickets | Buy round-trip tickets to the U.S. as specified by the clinic. Timing depends on treatment schedule | |
| Step 9: Pre-Trip Preparation | Plan travel and logistics. Flexible | |
| Step 10: Pre-Entry Preparation | Customs interview video training and start antibiotics 12 days before U.S. arrival to prevent infections. 12 days prior to departure | |
| Step 11: Travel to the U.S. | Depart for the U.S. to begin the egg donation process. ~GOGOGO |