Travel warning for transgender citizens visiting the U.S.

Denmark has issued a travel advisory for transgender citizens planning to visit the United States, urging them to contact the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen before departure.

Caption:If you’re transgender and planning to visit the U.S., the ESTA application can pose challenges—it only offers male or female gender options, even if your passport shows ‘X’ or a changed gender. To avoid issues, it’s advised to match the gender on your ESTA to your passport, and contact a U.S. embassy for guidance before traveling. Screenshot: ESTA

The warning follows a recent executive order by President Donald Trump that restricts gender recognition to only male and female on all federal documents.

Danish authorities are according to Newsweek particularly concerned about citizens who have an ‘X’ gender marker in their passports or those who have legally changed gender, as the U.S. ESTA visa system only accepts male or female options. Travelers are advised to seek guidance to avoid issues during entry into the United States.

Growing global concern 

Denmark joins other countries, such as Finland and Germany, in cautioning transgender travelers about possible entry problems due to the U.S. policy shift. The move reflects growing global concern over the impact of recent U.S. policies on LGBTQ+ rights and international travel.

As of now, no top officials from Denmark, Finland, or Germany have publicly commented on the travel advisories for transgender citizens visiting the United States. However, the foreign ministries in all three countries have issued warnings, advising transgender travelers to contact U.S. embassies before departure due to possible issues with gender recognition at U.S. borders.

– Respect between countries and peoples

While Prime Minister Frederiksen has not commented on this specific advisory, she has previously emphasized the importance of sovereignty and respect in international relations. In response to U.S. interest in Greenland, Frederiksen stated, «We want to work with the Americans. But it must and shall be a cooperation based on the fundamental values of sovereignty and respect between countries and peoples.» ​

This underscores Denmark's commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of its citizens abroad, even as specific comments on the travel advisory remain forthcoming.