Travel advisories edition – Which Countries Are Advising Against U.S. Travel Right Now — And Why It Matters

Not gonna lie, I'm kinda loving this travel trend.

Where I've Been

I took a fiber farm tour to visit Icelandic sheep and another local sheep farm that does dairy, including sheep milk ricotta I can't wait to try. It's mid lambing season, which as The Guardian reports is both a travel trend for city folks and a moneymaker for farmers who get to charge Londoners for staying on the farm and getting up in the middle of the night to do rounds. I of course hopped on the chance to snuggle adorable four-day-old lamb babies and gaze into their adorable gold eyes because joy is everything in these times. Lamb photo forthcoming on my Instagram so follow me there for a joy infusion.

Hot Takes on Queer News

Critics called it a gimmick Canada issued a travel advisory against the US in 2023 over anti-LGBTQ laws.

But a rash of travel advisories issued by some of America's closest allies, in response to anti-LGBTQ and anti-immigrant policies, are putting travel warnings front and center. More people than ever are rethinking their trips to the US – and I for one am cheering them on.

To me, this new crop of travel advisories feels like a gesture of solidarity with queer and trans Americans and immigrants, and a recognition of how white Western privilege is not saving folks from getting hassled and detained by ICE – AND conversation starters for what standing up for values looks like.

Here are all the US travel advisories I know of – with updates to this post coming as more countries add them.

Germany

Germany issued a travel warning for transgender and nonbinary people visiting the US as a result of the US's policies that prohibit the recognition of expansive gender identities.

The German travel advisory specifically called out several Trump executive orders limiting the rights and free expression of trans and nonbinary people, including:

Ordering the US State Department to quit issuing passports with an X gender marker

Declaring that the US will only recognize male and female sexes

Telling US consular officials from denying visas to anyone they believe 'misrepresents' their gender

Germany supports non-binary citizens with a Gender Self-Determination Act that makes it easy to legally change gender markers.

Germany recommends citizens that have the X gender marker check in with a US embassy before traveling.

The move comes as three German citizens (including one US green card holder) who visited the US have been detained, despite apparently having committed no crime nor any obvious violation of US visa or immigration rules.

Denmark

Denmark issued a travel warning for transgender travelers and gender expansive travelers. Denmark also allow the X gender designation on passports, and specifically cautions Danish citizens with a third gender passport to check with the US embassy before finalizing travel plans.

Finland

Finland cautioned trans and gender expansive travelers against visiting the US. They were a bit more blunt in their language, letting travelers who had changed a gender marker that they risked being denied entry at the US border.

These countries are all close US allies. It speaks to the severity of the situation that some of America's closest allies would use such strong language in warning their citizens to stay out of the US for their own good.

Canada

Canada issued their first travel warning against the US in 2023, as a result of rising anti-LGBTQ policies in several states.

This month, Canadian MP Charlie Angus cautioned Canadians to avoid traveling to the US "if at all possible."

Angus's warning comes amid Trump's push to annex Canada as the fifty-first state, and ongoing US targeting of Canadians crossing the border for work purposes.

The warning comes after Canadian actress Jasmine Mooney was detained by ICE over a supposed visa issue. Mooney's opinion piece in the Guardian is a chilling and powerful read.

​One million Canadians visit the US every year – so a travel boycott could have steep economic consequences.

Angus isn't the only one cautioning against a US trip. Canadian travel agents are suggesting their clients rethink a trip here. ""As long as there is no stability in the U.S., we will not feel safe or confident to go back" said one [link].

Britain

A Welsh traveler who crossed into the US from Canada on a tourist visa to do a housesit was detained by ICE and held for 19 days – an episode that should chill any international traveler who relies on housesitting to save money.

In response to the unjust detention, Britain modified its advice to travelers visiting the US. The updated guidance warns UK residents that US authorities enforce entry rules "very strictly," and travelers who break the rules could face arrest or detention.

New posts

​
​The Best And Worst States For LGBTQ Family Travel [UPDATED]

Are you looking for the best and worst states for LGBTQ travel right now? Here’s a list of the most LGBTQ-friendly states to visit with Trump back in office – and the ones where hostile laws make it uncomfortable and potentially unsafe if you’re queer or trans.

​US Transgender Travel Guide: How to Build a Travel Safety Plan​

While it’s always been a good idea to share your travel plans with a trusted person, recent policy changes in the U.S. mean that taking steps to protect your safety isn’t just the smart thing to do for LGBTQ travelers. It’s necessary.
​
​

If this makes your life more enjoyable or shows you a new perspective, please consider supporting my ability to write with a donation via PayPal or Ko-fi. Your support means the world to me.