More Countries Update US Travel Advisories for Transgender Travelers

2 weeks ago 5

Update: April 4, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. ET

According to CNN, the list of countries that have updated travel advisories for their transgender citizens bound for the United States continues to grow. These warnings follow a rising number of reports that transgender individuals are being turned away at the border in the wake of President Trump’s new policy recognizing only two genders.

Ireland has announced that Irish citizens will be required to declare their sex when completing forms for an ESTA visa waiver to enter the U.S. “The U.S. authorities have indicated that this should reflect, what they term, the traveler’s biological sex at birth,” the advisory states. “Travelers whose sex on their passport differs from sex assigned at birth should contact the Embassy of the United States of America in Dublin for further details on specific entry requirements.”

Meanwhile, Portugal has cautioned its residents, “We point out that the possession of an ESTA or of a visa does not constitute an automatic right of entry to the USA. The final decision is always taken by the border agent on arrival to the North American territory. To avoid misunderstandings in communication, it is recommended that travelers have proof of return travel and avoid making false statements about the purposes of their stay.”

The Portuguese government also has alerted citizens who identify as non-binary that U.S. immigration forms now only offer "male" or "female" options, and that they should select the sex assigned to them at birth.

Original Text

Two countries, Denmark and Finland, have updated travel advisories for their transgender citizens traveling to the United States, joining other European countries that have issued similar cautions to citizens.

The warning comes following reports that transgender individuals have had difficulties at US borders in the wake of U.S. policy recognizing only two genders.

The Danish foreign ministry is advising its transgender citizens who have an X gender designation on their passport or those who have changed gender to contact the US embassy before traveling. This is partly due to the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization only allowing male or female gender options, while Danish law permits citizens to identify as X.

Finland has also updated its advisory, warning that U.S. authorities may refuse entry if a traveler's current passport sex differs from their sex assigned at birth. Germany has also reportedly advised transgender travelers to contact US diplomatic missions before departure.

These changes occur amid broader concerns about entry requirements for travel to the U.S. Germany updated its advisory after three German nationals were detained at the border, emphasizing that visa approval doesn't guarantee entry. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has also revised its guidance, noting that breaking entry rules could lead to arrest or detention.

While Danish officials stated no Danish citizens have been refused entry or detained since Trump took office, the LGBT+ Danmark association requested the advisory update due to concerns about potential problems at U.S. airports.

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