Canada Revises Travel Advisory for U.S. Impacting LGBTQ+ Visitors

The Canadian government has updated its travel advisory for those planning to visit the United States, highlighting new entry and exit requirements that affect LGBTQ+ travellers. The advisory, issued on September 29, 2023, outlines essential guidelines regarding visa regulations and the implications of local laws for Canadian citizens.

According to the advisory, Canadians can typically stay in the U.S. for up to six months without a visa. Upon entry, travellers must declare their intended length of stay. In situations where a visa is required, U.S. authorities may review existing visas, and these can be revoked for various reasons, including violations of admission terms or reassessments of eligibility due to past criminal convictions.

For Canadians visiting the U.S. for more than 30 days, registration with the U.S. government is mandatory. Failure to comply may result in penalties, fines, or misdemeanour prosecution. Information regarding this registration process can be accessed via the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Travellers can also verify their automatic registration upon entry by checking their I-94 admission form through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website.

Permanent residents of the U.S. who are Canadian citizens must present a valid U.S. permanent resident card at the border. The updated advisory notes that permanent resident status may be revoked if individuals reside outside the U.S. longer than permitted, or if there is a reassessment of eligibility, again including considerations of past criminal convictions.

Changes Affecting LGBTQ+ Travellers

A significant aspect of the updated advisory pertains to changes in federal systems in the U.S., which are transitioning to a model that no longer accepts markers of gender identity. Travellers may now be required to provide their sex assigned at birth on various federal forms and processes.

The advisory also underscores that laws regarding sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics can differ significantly from state to state and municipality to municipality. For more detailed information on these matters, travellers are encouraged to consult the official government resources provided in the advisory.

The complete travel advisory for the United States is available on the Government of Canada’s website. This update aims to ensure that Canadian travellers are well-informed about the evolving landscape of U.S. entry requirements and the potential impacts on diverse communities.