My passport gender marker is “X”: can I still travel to the U.S.?

Since 2022, U.S. citizens have been able to select the “X” gender marker on their passports and travel visas. 

But after taking office on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump announced that moving forward, the U.S. would only recognize two genders—male and female.

The U.S. Department of State still currently offers U.S. passport applicants the “X” option, alongside the “Male” and “Female” gender markers on all 2025 passport applications. Travel Press Today has reached out to the U.S. Department of State for further comment on the matter, to see if the Trump Administration’s new policy will affect the passport application process.

Canada first introduced the option of a gender “X” marker in June 2019, allowing anyone who wished to update their existing identity marker to do so free of charge at the time. Ireland, Germany, Argentina, Iceland, Colombia and Australia are among the other countries who currently also allow applicants to select the “X” marker on their passport.

“Global Affairs Canada is aware of President Trump’s executive order on the recognition of gender on government issued Identification and is closely monitoring this development,” Charlotte MacLeod, spokesperson, media relations, Global Affairs Canada, told Travel Press Today in an interview.

Canadian government weighs in

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), roughly 67 per cent of all Canadians hold a valid passport and there are more than 26.7 million passports in circulation as of 2024. As of Jan. 21, 2025, about 3,600 Canadians have gender “X” (another gender) on their valid travel document.

Canadians who are holders of gender marker ‘X” passports may still use their passports for travel to the U.S., however, the Government of Canada urges travellers to exercise caution, especially in states  with varying laws against 2SLGBTQI+ individuals.

“The Government of Canada cannot guarantee that other countries will accept the sex or gender identifier “X” on a passport or travel document,” Jeffrey MacDonald, communications advisor, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) told Travel Press Today in an interview. “We recommend that travellers check entry requirements on travel.gc.ca. The current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the X gender identifier.”

“In some cases, even if your Canadian passport indicates an “X” gender marker, you may still be asked to provide binary sex information (either Male or Female) when travelling,” the Government of Canada reports. “While the Government of Canada recognizes the “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries.”

For more information, including on local laws and regulations, travellers can click here

 

 

 

 

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