French authorities have updated travel advice for the US following new American rules requiring gender at birth on visa and ESTA forms
Credit : Shutterstock, Mehaniq
France has updated its official guidance for travellers heading to the United States, following a change in US policy that affects how gender is recorded on visa and ESTA applications.
US visa and ESTA applications now require birth-assigned gender
According to the French Foreign Ministry, all new US visa or ESTA applicants must now indicate their sex assigned at birth. This requirement stems from a Presidential Decree issued on 20 January 2025, under President Donald Trump, which mandates that only ‘male’ or ‘female’ be accepted on official US travel documents.
This new rule could cause issues for transgender travellers, especially those whose passports list an ‘X’ under gender—a category not recognised under the updated US system. While no specific travel warning has been issued, French authorities recommend that travellers check the US Embassy in Paris website for the latest updates before making plans.
France joins other nations issuing guidance for LGBTQ+ travellers
France is not alone in flagging the change. The UK, Germany, and Canada have also issued updates to warn citizens of potential entry complications under the new rules. Denmark has gone a step further, warning transgender travellers that they may be refused entry to the US altogether.
Finland has echoed these concerns, advising that travellers with documents reflecting a gender different from their birth-assigned sex could face denial at the border.
The ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is a visa waiver used by short-term visitors (under 90 days) from eligible countries. It’s similar to the UK’s ETA and the EU’s upcoming Etias system.
As policies evolve, French travellers—especially those from the LGBTQ+ community—are urged to stay informed and check for updates before heading to the US.
Stay tuned with Euro weekly news for more news from France
