The Government of Canada has issued an updated travel advisory for Canadian citizens intending travel to the United States. The updated advisory concerns Canadians who use the gender identifier “X”.
The advisory reads, “While the Government of Canada issues passports with a ‘X’ gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the ‘X’ gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination. You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the ‘X’ gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.”
The changes were not limited to the advisory for the United States. Canada broadly issued the same warning to most of the travel advisories for other countries. The Government of Canada estimates some 3,600 Canadian passport holders use the gender identifier “X”, which is typically used by persons who prefer not to use the Male or Female identifier. Individuals who choose such a designation often identify as binary or meet the definition for being considered intersex. The option has been available to Canadian passport holders since 2019.
In August, Canada’s Border Services Agency advised travelers that Canadians wishing to apply for or renew the NEXUS card, which allows for expedited travel across the U.S.-Canada border, would no longer be able to use the “X” gender identifier.
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It’s worth noting that U.S. passport holders also continue to have the option to use “X” as a gender identifier. The option became available to all U.S. passport holders in 2022. The White House issued an executive order earlier this year attempting to limit the use of the word “gender” on government documents, replacing it instead with “sex”. The order also sought to eliminate the use of the “X” gender identifier, but a U.S. District Court has prevented the order from being implemented until a pending lawsuit is settled. The Trump Administration is currently seeking to have that order lifted.
The Government of Canada also added language to its U.S. Travel Advisory earlier this year advising Canadians they could be subject to higher scrutiny when traveling over the U.S. border, including officers requesting to review the contents of their phones or other electronic devices.
The move comes as Canadian visitation to the United States has significantly dropped, impacting results for the U.S. travel industry. Canada’s major carriers reduced flights across the border to accommodate for the decrease in demand for transborder travel from Canada-originated travelers. Fewer Canadians also traveled to the U.S. during a lockout action over the summer by Air Canada on its flight attendants as part of contract negotiations. Particularly hard hit destinations, including the California city of Palm Springs, have taken promotional steps to remind Canadians that they’re welcome to visit and can do so safely.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Canada said they were unable to comment on the situation because of the current government shutdown.
In 2023, Canada updated their U.S. travel advisory for LGBTQ+ travelers after a number of U.S. states adopted laws that Canada’s government considered to be targets against LGBTQ+ people.
The X gender marker is recognized on passports by around 15 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, India, Ireland, Malta, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Pakistan in addition to the United States and Canada. Some countries also allow and recognize a gender market of “O” for “Other”.
