OTTAWA — Canadian travelers can no longer select an “X” gender marker when applying for Nexus trusted traveler cards, following a controversial U.S. policy change that took effect in February 2025. The move reverses Canada’s 2022 inclusion of the non-binary option and has drawn sharp criticism from LGBTQ2S+ advocates.
The Canada Border Services Agency confirmed that while Canadians may still hold passports with “X” gender markers, Nexus applicants must now choose either “male” or “female” due to requirements in the U.S.-managed application system. Approximately 550 existing Nexus cards with “X” designations will remain valid until expiration.
Border Dilemma Emerges
The policy creates potential complications for non-binary travelers, as noted by immigration lawyer Sarah Mikhail: “We’re now forcing people to misrepresent themselves just to cross the border.” Travelers may face additional scrutiny if their passport gender marker differs from their Nexus designation.
Helen Kennedy of Egale Canada called the change “a dangerous precedent,” noting it marks the first time Canadian gender recognition policies have been overridden by U.S. administrative decisions. The Nexus program, jointly operated by both nations, processes over 1.7 million applications annually.
What Comes Next
While Canadian officials emphasize they continue to recognize non-binary identities domestically, they acknowledge limited recourse against the U.S. policy. The change comes as the Trump administration expands similar gender marker restrictions across federal documents, with potential implications for future Canada-U.S. travel agreements.
