Several European countries have issued guidelines for citizens traveling to the U.S., advising them about changes to U.S. policy regarding gender identification and that the sex indicated on their visa application must match their assigned gender at birth.
Denmark's foreign affairs ministry advised that when applying for a visa or Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which allows travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries to enter the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa, "there are two gender designations to choose from: male or female. If your passport has the gender designation X or you have changed gender, it is recommended to contact the U.S. embassy prior to travel for guidance on how to proceed."
The Finnish ministry for foreign affairs says that "if the gender on the applicant's passport does not match their gender at birth, the U.S. authorities may refuse the application for an ESTA or visa."
Similar guidelines were issued by Germany.
President Trump issued an executive order in January disallowing the use of the "X" marker to denote gender and requiring that government-issued identification documents, including passports and visas, "accurately reflect the holder's sex," which the order defines as only male or female.
A State Department spokesperson said today that the department is implementing the president's executive orders and the administration's priorities, and will only issue U.S. visas with a male or female sex marker that matches the applicant's biological sex "as defined in the executive order, and that visa applicants are instructed to list their biological sex at birth on the visa application."
Germany and the U.K also updated their guidance for citizens visiting the U.S., advising them to closely follow entry rules with the Trump administration tightening border controls.