Canada Issues Travel Advisory for Citizens with 'X' Gender Passports to the United States

Canada Warns 'X' Gender Passport Holders of US Travel Risks

Global Affairs Canada has recently updated its travel advisory for the United States, cautioning Canadian citizens holding passports with an 'X' gender identifier about potential entry complications. The advisory, revised within the last ten days, states that while the Government of Canada issues passports with an 'X' gender identifier, it 'cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries' that may not recognize this designation.

The warning specifically highlights that travelers 'might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the 'X' gender identifier.' This move comes amid a shifting policy landscape in the United States regarding gender markers on official documents.

US Policy Shift on Gender Markers

The Canadian advisory directly references changes in U.S. federal systems, which are reportedly 'changing to no longer accept markers of gender identity.' This means that information on the sex assigned at birth may now be requested on various U.S. forms and processes, including visa and passport applications, as well as passenger manifests.

This policy shift in the U.S. follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump shortly after his inauguration this year. The order declared that the U.S. recognizes only two sexes: male and female. Subsequently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio suspended passport applications using a gender-neutral marker, reversing a previous policy by the Biden administration that allowed individuals to use the 'X' designation without medical documentation.

Implications for Travelers and Legal Challenges

For Canadian travelers, the advisory suggests they 'may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.' It advises citizens to 'verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination' before departure. Approximately 3,600 Canadian citizens have opted for the 'X' gender marker on their passports since it became available in 2019.

The U.S. policy is currently facing legal challenges. In June, a federal judge temporarily blocked the policy, ruling that transgender and nonbinary Americans should be able to reflect their gender identities on newly issued passports. However, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court in September to allow it to enforce the policy. Despite these changes, existing U.S. passports bearing the 'X' marker remain valid until their expiration date.

The implications extend beyond passports, affecting other travel documents such as Nexus cards. Earlier this year, Canada mandated that Nexus card holders identifying as non-binary or transgender can no longer select the 'X' gender marker for new applications or renewals, although existing cards are not impacted. Canada had previously issued an advisory in 2023 for 2SLGBTQ+ travelers regarding anti-2SLGBTQ+ laws in some U.S. states.