As announced earlier this week, the Belgian Federal Public Service (FPS) for Foreign Affairs officially updated its travel advice for the United States on Wednesday evening, citing recent changes in the treatment of trans people and the wider LGBTQI+ community.
The new advisory warns transgender and non-binary people that they must declare their gender on their visas. “Travellers to the US must identify their gender as either ‘male’ or ‘female’ when applying for an ESTA or visa. The U.S. refers to the applicant’s sex as assigned at birth,” the FPS website says in the practical information section of its travel advice for the United States.
Differences between states
The FPS also stresses that there are significant differences between US states in terms of both legislation and societal attitudes towards LGBTQI+ people. The department also notes that the US federal government has recently introduced new rules regarding gender markers on travel documents.
In addition, the advisory warns that ‘crimes, misrepresentation of purpose, or even a minor overstay may result in arrest, detention, prosecution, and deportation upon entry or departure’. The department advises travellers with further questions to contact the relevant US embassy or Customs and Border Protection before departure.
More revisions
Belgium is not the first country to update its guidance on travel to the US. Germany, Finland and Denmark have also recently revised their travel advice to the US in light of these developments.
Since taking office, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly drawn criticism for decisions and statements seen as restricting the rights of transgender people. On his first day in office, he signed an executive order recognising only male and female genders.
