Visitors to Canada who identify as neither male nor female will have the option of choosing 'other' when Canada's electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) requirement for visa-exempt visitors comes into full effect on Thursday, November 10.

Canada joins a select few countries now offering such an option to visitors. Australia offers passport options of male, female or X, while Nepal, New Zealand and a handful of other countries also offer options to individuals who identify as neither male nor female. Canada also has taken steps toward allowing people who have changed genders to switch the designation on their passports and other documents.

“Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is committed to facilitating the issuance of identification with a sex designation that reflects a person’s gender identity,” an IRCC spokeswoman said.

The availability of gender neutral options on government forms has become a cause among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups, both within Canada and internationally.

“Inaccurate documents serve only to discriminate and impose barriers upon people who are neither male nor female," stated Lambda Legal, a US not-for-profit group that promotes LGBT rights. “This small step of inclusiveness for visitors is yet another reason for Canada to implement a third gender marker on passports, an option currently under serious consideration."

Canada's Liberal government — and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in particular — has been clear in its support for the LGBT community. Earlier this year, the Prime Minister raised the Pride flag over Parliament for the first time, and he has marched in numerous Pride parades across the country this year. Practical changes such as the addition of a gender neutral option on the eTA form could be followed by further government initiatives.

What is an eTA?

The eTA is a pre-screening process for visa-exempt travelers entering Canada by air. The eTA is intended to make air travel to Canada safer and more efficient for foreign nationals who do not require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada. The screening process allows IRCC to assess visa-exempt travelers who may be inadmissible to Canada for reasons such as having a criminal record, or posing a potential health threat.

To obtain an eTA, visa-exempt individuals complete an online form, in which they provide some personal information and answer a few basic questions relating to criminality or medical issues, as well as questions about their immigration history. Most applications are processed within minutes. Some applications may take longer to process, in which case individuals may expect to receive an email from IRCC within 72 hours outlining the next steps.

The eTA system was first rolled out in late 2015, but full implementation has been pushed back numerous times, most recently in September of this year, in order to give travelers and airlines more time to prepare for changes when flying to or transiting through Canada.

Citizens of countries whose citizens require a visa to visit Canada

Unless otherwise exempt from the requirement based on nationality or immigration status, foreign visitors to Canada require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) before traveling to Canada.

U.S. lawful permanent residents who are citizens of another country need an eTA to visit Canada by air. These travelers must present a valid U.S. permanent resident card (Green Card) and a valid passport when they check in for their flight to Canada.

Canadian citizens

To help minimize potential travel disruptions for dual Canadian citizens (i.e. citizens of Canada who also hold citizenship of another country), a short-term measure is available to dual citizens whose second citizenship is from a visa-exempt country. These dual citizens can apply for a special authorization that will let them board their flight to Canada using their valid non-Canadian passport.

This measure will be available until January 31, 2017. It is available to dual citizens who have an imminent flight to Canada (leaving in less than ten days) and whose Canadian citizenship can be verified by IRCC.

Citizens of the United States

Citizens of the U.S. do not require either an eTA or a TRV in order to visit Canada.

Not sure if you need an eTA or a TRV?

Use the Visiting Canada Tool and determine what you need to do to visit Canada.