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This is an information resource mainly written for trans US citizens considering emigrating to another country, although we hope it is useful beyond that.

Please treat this wiki as a starting point for your own research, not as an authoritative source of truth or as legal advice.

Many of the authors have gone through the process themselves and want to share what they have learned.

Crossing Borders

From Trans World Express

Each border crossing carries a certain amount of risk. Some borders are riskier than others. It's best to follow some best practices when crossing.

General Best Practices

At any border, you will need a Passport that will not be expiring soon. The general guideline is that your passport should be good for at least 6 months.

If you are entering a foreign country without a work or student or other residence visa, you are assumed to be entering on a tourist visa. The important thing to know is if the border agent suspects that you may not be entering the country as a tourist (i.e. you intend to stay or work for a local company without a visa) they may ask for proof of paid accommodations or flight itinerary back out of the country.

Device Security

Many countries search phones/tablets/laptops of those who are detained at the border, the US has just significantly increased its searches since January 2025.

The most basic precaution you can take is to turn your device off before you cross the border. The best security involves using an alphanumeric password or a PIN of at least 6 digits and disabling biometric unlocking (e.g. Face ID on iOS).[1]

When crossing the US border, you can refuse to unlock your device for a border agent, but it will likely be confiscated and returned to you later.

Crossing Land Borders

When crossing into Canada or Mexico, since you should have your devices off, you will need to rely on paper maps.

  1. Know the route from your home or any place(s) you are staying to the nearest border crossing and physically print the map(s). Print back up routes off main roads.
  2. If you have people that you can stay with on the other side of the border physically print their address as well as the map to their address.
  3. Print your prescriptions and full medical history, or as much as you have available to you in order to prove the need for your medications and as a backup for when accessing healthcare in your new home.

EU and Schengen Area

Entry/Exit System

The European Union and the wider Schengen Area are deploying a new border security system called EES that uses computerized gates for controlling entry into the Schengen Area. EU nationals (those who have a passport from an EU country) and EU work/resident permit holders are not required to use the system.[2] It is already present at some borders and will be completely rolled out by April 2026.

On your first crossing, a border agent will collect your biometrics (picture, fingerprints). On subsequent crossings you'll be able to use an automatic kiosk.

The system stores information including name, date of birth, fingerprints and biometrics for a facial recognition system, and locations and times of border crossings.

ETIAS / ETA

The EU's European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) are systems that require visitors who do not have a residence/work permit or visa to pay a fee and register their personal and biometric information. Airlines are not allowed to board passengers who have not completed these registrations.

ETIAS will be required by the end of 2026. ETA is required now.

Anyone who has been refused an ETIAS or expect to have theirs rejected may apply for a limited validity ETIAS if they have "humanitarian reasons or important obligations" for their travel. It will be good for only 90 days and only apply to specific countries.[3]

Canadian Border

If you do not have a work or other residence permit in Canada, as a US citizen you are only legally allowed to enter Canada visa-free for up to 180 days. Having your hotel/accommodation reservations printed out is recommended. Even though you don't need a visa, border agents want to ensure that your visit is temporary, so it is helpful to have documentation.

Bringing Pets

You can bring cats and dogs into Canada. If you have other pets, check Canada's documentation on traveling with pets. For dogs and cats, make sure you bring their medical records and in particular anything about their rabies and other vaccinations to show they're up to date.

Entering without a passport

If you do not have a passport, you can use official documents that prove your full name, date of birth, and US citizenship.[4] These documents include:

  • birth certificate
  • certificate of citizenship or naturalization
  • certificate of Indian status along with photo identification
  • US enhanced drivers license

NEXUS

For awareness: it is worth looking into NEXUS (Canadian web page, US web page) or other preferred traveller programs if you are eligible. A NEXUS card (currently) allows you preferred travel to Canada by land/sea/air. Specifically this means you can take an express lane or queue to enter the country by land at certain ports of entry, and there are also reports that NEXUS cardholders have had much better encounters with CBSA (Canadian Border Services Administration) upon entry into Canada by land than people entering with another document or set of documents. You can also enter Canada by sea and air with a NEXUS card alone, no passport is required. Note that you can only cross the border via the NEXUS lane if all passengers in the vehicle have NEXUS. If you plan on making use of this, make sure that anyone you may need to cross the border with also has a NEXUS pass.

If you already have a NEXUS pass, it is worth making sure it is up to date and making sure you know when it expires.

United States Border

Traveling back into the US carries its own risk profile. In general there have been no reports so far of US citizens being detained at the border based on their transgender status or IDs matching their gender.[5] However, there are anecdotal reports of heightened scrutiny by border agents.

Identification Requirements

If you are a US citizen flying into the US, all airlines will require a valid US passport to board your flight. The only exception is that from certain designated Canadian airports, you can use a NEXUS card.

If you are entering by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, the Carribbean, Central America, or South America, you need one of the following[6]:

  • U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card
  • Enhanced Driver's License
  • Enhanced Tribal Card
  • Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI)

In general, countries like Canada and the US don't prevent their own citizens from returning home without a passport.[7] However, you are likely to be subjected to secondary screening where they will need some secondary proof that you are a citizen. Anecdotally, folks have been granted return based on only having their driver's license and birth certificate.

  1. ↑ https://www.wired.com/2017/02/guide-getting-past-customs-digital-privacy-intact/
  2. ↑ https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/to-whom-does-ees-not-apply
  3. ↑ https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/etias/about-etias/etias-travel-authorisation-with-limited-validity
  4. ↑ https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/td-dv-eng.html#us_citizens
  5. ↑ https://lambdalegal.org/tgnc-checklist-under-trump/
  6. ↑ https://www.help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1467?language=en_US
  7. ↑ https://www.ezbordercrossing.com/the-inspection-experience/documentation-needed-to-cross-border/
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