❓WHAT HAPPENED: Canada updated its travel advice for citizens visiting the U.S., citing increased scrutiny and providing warnings for LGBT individuals regarding gender identity documentation.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Canada’s Liberal Party government, U.S. federal authorities, and Canadian travelers.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The advisory update follows U.S. policy changes, including a 2025 executive order by President Donald J. Trump.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Federal systems in the U.S. are changing to no longer accept markers of gender identity. Sex assigned at birth may now be requested by federal forms and processes.” – Government of Canada advisory
🎯IMPACT: Canadian travelers are advised to review documentation and ensure compliance with U.S. entry requirements to avoid complications.
Canada has updated its travel advisory for citizens visiting the United States, warning of heightened scrutiny for LGBT travelers and offering expanded guidance related to gender identity documentation. The advisory comes in response to recent U.S. federal policy changes that limit recognition of nonbinary gender markers and increase immigration enforcement.
In January 2025, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order restricting passports to only “male” or “female” gender designations, eliminating the nonbinary “X” option. While a Massachusetts federal judge temporarily blocked enforcement of the order in June after a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the legal challenge remains ongoing. Canada’s advisory warns that until the matter is resolved, travelers with nonbinary or non-conforming documentation could face increased scrutiny or even risk losing visa or permanent residency status due to tightened enforcement.
Typically, Canadian citizens may visit the U.S. for up to six months without a visa. However, those who require a visa should be aware that U.S. authorities may periodically reassess their eligibility, particularly in cases involving past criminal convictions. The advisory also notes that permanent residents of the United States, including Canadians, could see their residency revoked if found in violation of updated rules, including spending too much time outside the country.
The Canadian government expressed concern for LGBT travelers, especially those with passports that display an “X” gender marker. While Canada allows this designation for citizens who do not identify as male or female, it may not be recognized in countries like the U.S. The advisory states: “Federal systems in the U.S. are changing to no longer accept markers of gender identity. Sex assigned at birth may now be requested by federal forms and processes.”
The warning comes during a tense period in Canada–U.S. relations, as migration across their shared border has drawn increased attention. According to recent reports, thousands of migrants have entered Canada through the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle crossing in Quebec, many fleeing U.S. immigration enforcement. Canadian border officials reported a 263 percent increase in asylum claims at that crossing over the summer.
Meanwhile, some Jewish Canadians have reportedly begun moving to the U.S. and Israel, citing rising anti-Semitism in Canada. Former ambassador Vivian Bercovici told media that “Toronto and Montreal seem to have become the standouts in the Western world” for anti-Semitic incidents, describing the situation as “shocking.”
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