France updates travel advice over new 'sex at birth' rules in US
In recent days Germany, Denmark and the UK have updated their travel advice to citizens planning on a trip to the USA - now France has followed suit, modifying advice to people travelling from France.
The new French guidance draws attention to Donald Trump's executive order around sex at birth.
The French
travel advice now reads
: "It is strongly recommended to regularly consult the website of the US Embassy in France and to contact the airline in order to verify any changes or new measures adopted.
"In particular, for new visa or Esta applications, it should be noted that a section has been added which requires, by virtue of the presidential decree of January 20th, 2025, to indicate the 'sex at birth'."
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The Esta visa waiver is required by all Europeans going to the US for a short trip as a tourist, it must be applied for online in advance of the trip.
The US State Department's
travel advice FAQs section
tells users: "When completing the 'sex' field [of a visa application], please select your sex at birth: male or female. Generally, this will be the sex listed on your passport. However, if your passport lists your gender identity, does not list a sex, or lists 'X'/'unspecified' in a sex identifier field, you must select your sex at birth."
The travel advisory stops short of advising against travel to the USA, or of raising the risk level for travellers.
In his inaugural address, Donald Trump had said that the United States would now recognise only 'two sexes, male and female' defined at birth, which would do away with the gender marker 'X', for people who identify as non-binary.
In France transgender people
can legally change their gender
on their official documents like a passport or ID card, although there is no option on official documents for an X, or non-binary designation.
The general advice to French nationals travelling to the US remains unchanged, with the French government advising: "Tourists are asked to comply scrupulously with the regulations in force.
"When dealing with the police, it is imperative not to make false statements, raise your voice, or make sudden or aggressive gestures. In the event of a dispute, please contact the Consulate General responsible for the district concerned."
READ MORE:
Travel warnings for Americans in France and vice versa
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