OTTAWA — Canadians applying for or renewing Nexus travel cards can no longer select an 'X' gender marker. This change follows an executive order from U.S. President Donald Trump, which mandates that the U.S. government will only recognize male or female gender options. The new policy took effect in February 2025.

Individuals can still apply for Nexus using a Canadian passport that includes the 'X' gender identifier. However, they must choose either 'male' or 'female' for their Nexus membership, according to Luke Reimer, a spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Current Nexus cards that identify members with a gender other than 'male' or 'female' will remain valid until their expiration.

Nexus memberships are designed to facilitate quicker border crossings between Canada and the United States and are valid for five years. The CBSA noted that while Canada and the U.S. jointly manage the Nexus program, the application process is conducted through a U.S. system operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Reimer emphasized that although the Canadian government recognizes the 'X' gender identifier, it cannot ensure entry or transit through other countries. "Not all countries have the same values and legal system that we have in Canada," he stated. He added that travelers should be aware of the legal frameworks and social customs regarding gender identity in their destination countries.

The option to select an 'X' gender marker on Nexus cards was introduced in 2022. Since then, approximately 550 applications have included 'X' as the gender identifier. Helen Kennedy, executive director of Egale Canada, criticized the removal of the 'X' option, calling it "a step backward for the recognition and inclusion of trans, non-binary, and gender diverse people." She stated, "While this policy stems from a U.S. executive order, its impact is felt on both sides of the border — forcing individuals to misidentify themselves in order to travel."

Sarah Mikhail, an associate lawyer at Smith Immigration Law, described the change as a "manifestation" of the Trump administration's policies affecting trans and non-binary individuals outside the U.S. She expressed concern that the policy is inconsistent with Canadian values. "What we are seeing right now is a policy that is at odds with our own policy and inconsistent and incompatible with it," Mikhail said.

Mikhail also highlighted the potential challenges for trans and non-binary travelers at the border if their passports do not match the gender selected on their Nexus card. "I think the border can be a really stressful place and a really sometimes unknown environment for a lot of people. And going in knowing that there’s this discrepancy and this is something that could possibly elicit questioning from an officer, and have to be looked at further, I think would be an incredibly, not just stressful experience, but invasive," she said.

The Government of Canada’s travel health and safety web page warns that individuals with a Canadian passport featuring an 'X' gender marker may encounter entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize this gender option. It also notes that travelers may be required to provide binary sex information, even if their Canadian passport indicates an 'X' gender marker.