COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Delay International Adoptions

Seattle, WA. Travel is a big part of adopting internationally, so travel bans due to COVID-19 have delayed the adoption process for many families. “I think it depends on where you are in the process,” says Joleigh Little-Bass, an author, and mother of two. She adopted from Bulgaria about ten years ago and just knows how it feels to be delayed while adopting. “The closer you are to travel either to meet your child or to pick her up, the harder the delays are!” Little-Bass explains. “I ate a lot of junk food and cried a lot,” she says, “I think earlier in the process it would be less frustrating.  Maybe. It’s just hard to know that someone you love is on the other side of the world needing you, and you can’t get to them!”

Now that some European countries are loosening travel restrictions, more families adopting from abroad have been able to move forward. In the last week, multiple families partnering with Agape Adoptions have been able to travel to Bulgaria to meet or pick up their children.

Families adopting from Bulgaria must travel there twice. During their first trip to Bulgaria, families meet their child, and during their second trip, families pick their child up and bring them home. China, the largest country working with Agape Adoptions, remains closed to travel from the United States.  

According to Myriam Avery, Agape’s executive director, Agape Adoptions did not experience delays in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, many families trying to use their increased free time positively began the adoption process in April and May. 

Moreover, delays and complications are common in international adoptions, and most families are prepared for the adoption process to be challenging. “International adoptions are very complicated and complex,” says Avery, “this isn’t new to families.” In Avery’s experience, families tend to do well with delays for the first five or six months, but “we’re at that place where their patience is wearing thin.”  

During these trying times, Avery wishes to stress that “the need for a family will not go away because of COVID.” “These are the most vulnerable children in the world,” she says, “children don’t care about political things or COVID things.” According to Avery, the most important thing you can do to help Agape Adoptions, even more so than donations, is to spread the information that “This will go away.  COVID will go away.  But children will still need families.” 

From Agape Adoptions:

Agape Adoptions is a licensed placement and home study agency located in Sumner, WA. We serve adoptive families across the U.S. and work in six countries globally. Agape Adoptions provides professional adoption services marked by personalized care and passionate advocacy.