Canadian travelers holding passports with the nonbinary "X" gender marker are facing new uncertainty when planning trips to the United States, following a series of policy changes and warnings issued by both the Canadian and U.S. governments. The situation, which has been evolving over the past several months, underscores growing tensions around gender identity recognition at international borders and has left thousands of Canadians questioning whether it is safe or even possible to visit the U.S.
On Monday, October 1, 2025, Global Affairs Canada released a travel advisory that specifically cautioned Canadians with the "X" gender designation on their passports about possible difficulties entering the United States. The advisory, updated after months of anti-LGBTQ actions by the Trump administration, 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." This warning, according to the CBC and Truthout, was not limited to the U.S. but applied to all international destinations, although the U.S. was highlighted due to recent policy changes.
Canada first allowed the "X" gender marker on passports in 2019, providing transgender and nonbinary individuals with an option other than "male" or "female." Since then, between 3,400 and 3,600 Canadians have received passports with this designation, according to figures from Global Affairs Canada reported by several outlets including Truthout and CNN. However, the new advisory makes it clear that travelers may still be asked to provide their sex or gender as either male or female when crossing borders, as many countries—and increasingly, the U.S.—do not recognize the "X" identifier within their systems.
The catalyst behind the advisory is a dramatic shift in U.S. policy under President Donald Trump, who returned to the White House in January 2025. During his inaugural address, Trump declared, "there are only two sexes, male and female." He followed up with an executive order mandating that U.S. federal documents, including passports, only recognize these two categories. The order also instructed the State Department to stop issuing passports with the "X" gender marker, or for passport holders whose gender differs from their assigned sex at birth.
Although a court injunction has temporarily blocked enforcement of this executive order, and a U.S. appeals court denied the Trump administration's attempt to reinstate it in early October 2025, the uncertainty has prompted governments around the world to warn their citizens. As reported by CNN, the Canadian government specifically cautioned that "federal systems in the U.S. are changing to no longer accept markers of gender identity." This has led to the current environment, where even if some individuals can still obtain or retain an "X" marker, there is no guarantee that border officials will recognize it—or that travelers will be allowed entry.
For those affected, the changes have real-world consequences. Ry Shissler, a non-binary and trans Canadian with dual citizenship, told CTV News that they now avoid traveling to the U.S. despite having family there. "It’s this very real spectre that I would not be able to see my aging parents. Travelling isn’t easy for them. They have health issues," Shissler explained. They also described the decision not to use the "X" marker as a way to maintain control over when and how they disclose their gender identity: "A passport is only as good as the place it gets you into."
The advisory is not the first of its kind. In the summer of 2023, Canada issued a warning to LGBTQ travelers about Republican-led states in the U.S. that had enacted laws restricting gender-affirming care and other rights for transgender individuals. The guidance at the time urged Canadians to "check relevant state and local laws," a message that remains relevant as policies continue to shift. More recently, in early 2025, Canada and several European countries warned travelers about a crackdown on immigration under the Trump administration, which resulted in some travelers being detained for weeks by U.S. officials.
The ripple effects of these policies extend beyond individual travelers. According to a study published in February 2025, cross-border travel from Canada to the U.S. has dropped significantly. In July 2025, Canadians made 1.7 million car trips back into their home country—a 37% decrease compared to the previous year. Visits from January through May 2025 were down 17% overall. Despite this decline, the United States Travel Association reported that Canadians made 20.4 million visits to the U.S. in 2024, generating $20.5 billion in spending and supporting 140,000 American jobs. The potential for further drops in Canadian tourism, especially among LGBTQ individuals and allies, is a concern for both economies.
The policy changes are also affecting frequent travelers in other ways. As of August 2025, Canadians applying for or renewing Nexus trusted traveler cards—a program designed to expedite border crossings—can no longer select "X" as their gender. This change, first reported by CNN, further limits the options for nonbinary and transgender Canadians who regularly cross the border for business or family reasons.
Canadian officials have advised anyone with an "X" gender marker on their passport to verify entry requirements with the closest foreign representative before traveling. The advisory, as reiterated by CTV News, emphasizes that travelers may be asked to identify as either male or female during their journeys and that entry cannot be guaranteed. The government has also reminded travelers about general safety concerns in the U.S., including warnings about violent crime in large cities and drug trafficking near the southern border.
Despite the uncertainty, the overall travel advisory to the U.S. has not changed: Canadians are still told to take "normal security precautions." However, for those with the "X" gender identifier, the risks are far from normal. The evolving legal landscape in the U.S., coupled with shifting cultural attitudes and administrative barriers, has left a growing number of Canadians reconsidering travel plans, especially when family and personal safety are on the line.
As the legal battles over gender identity markers continue in the U.S., the fate of nonbinary and transgender travelers remains uncertain. For now, Canadian officials urge caution and careful planning, but for many, the question is not just about paperwork—it’s about dignity, safety, and the fundamental right to move freely across borders.
