Canadian officials are urging travelers to pay closer attention to local laws, dress codes and fast changing transport conditions as they plan winter and early spring getaways, issuing a sweep of updated guidance that flags gender based imprisonment risks, clothing restrictions in some destinations and mounting flight disruptions at popular tourist hubs.

More News

New Emphasis on Gender Based Laws and Imprisonment Risks

Global Affairs Canada has sharpened its messaging around the legal risks faced by travelers whose sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression may run afoul of local laws overseas. In fresh guidance on its Travel.gc.ca portal and in seasonal news releases, the department reminds Canadians that they are subject to local laws abroad even when those laws conflict with Canadian human rights standards.

The government highlights that in dozens of countries, consensual same sex relations remain criminalized and that vague morality or public decency provisions can be used to target people based on perceived sexual orientation or gender expression. Officials warn that in some jurisdictions, penalties can include lengthy prison terms, corporal punishment or, in extreme cases, capital punishment. Travelers are being told to review destination specific advisories carefully for any reference to criminalization of same sex activity or restrictions that specifically mention LGBTQ or gender diverse people.

Canada’s advisory language also stresses that local authorities may enforce laws inconsistently, and that travelers cannot rely on social media portrayals or anecdotal experiences from other tourists as a safety benchmark. According to federal guidance, local police and security agencies in some countries are known to monitor social media, dating apps and LGBTQ themed websites, and to use them to identify or entrap users, including foreigners. Travelers are urged to consider what information about their identity and relationships is visible online before departure.

Officials say these concerns are not limited to destinations with explicit anti LGBTQ statutes. Even where laws do not directly criminalize identity, hostile social norms, harassment and discrimination can expose travelers to arbitrary detention, difficulties accessing consular support or unequal treatment in local justice systems. The department encourages Canadians to think carefully about their personal risk tolerance when deciding where to travel if they identify as part of the LGBTQ community or are perceived as gender non conforming.

Warning Over Gender Markers, Documentation and Airport Screening

The federal government is also flagging new complications around travel documents and gender markers, particularly for trans and non binary Canadians. Ottawa recognizes an “X” marker on passports, but it cautions that many foreign governments and airlines still expect travelers to select a binary male or female category at booking or during entry checks, regardless of what appears on the passport itself.

Travel.gc.ca guidance notes that Canadians may be asked to supply binary sex information when completing visas, transit authorizations or entry forms, and that front line officials in some countries may be unfamiliar with or unwilling to accept an X marker. In practice, that can lead to secondary inspections, questioning or temporary denial of boarding or entry. Travelers whose appearance differs from the gender listed on their documents may also face additional scrutiny at security checkpoints and immigration counters.

Global Affairs Canada recommends that trans and non binary Canadians ensure all of their travel documents, including airline bookings, visas and identity cards, are consistent and up to date before departure. Those who have undergone a legal name or gender change are advised to apply for new passports and carry supporting documentation that can be presented if questions arise at foreign border posts. Officials also stress that local authorities may not share Canada’s approach to gender recognition, and that consular officials have limited ability to intervene in routine immigration decisions made by other states.

Canada’s public guidance makes clear that even seemingly administrative discrepancies can escalate into missed flights, denial of entry or, in destinations with strict public morality regimes, detention and charges if officials suspect travelers are intentionally misrepresenting themselves. As a result, the government urges Canadians to build extra time into itineraries for border processing and to avoid tight layovers in jurisdictions with complex documentation requirements.

Clothing Bans and Modesty Rules in Tourist Destinations

Alongside gender based legal risks, Canadian travel advisories are putting renewed focus on clothing restrictions and modesty rules in several popular vacation spots. While most countries do not legislate tourist attire in resort areas, local bylaws, religious norms and public decency statutes can dictate what visitors must wear in certain cities, religious sites or public spaces.

Global Affairs Canada urges travelers to pay close attention to country specific guidance on clothing, particularly for women and for anyone visiting religiously conservative regions. In some destinations, women are required to cover their shoulders, legs or hair, or to wear loose fitting garments that obscure body shape. Regulations may also limit the wearing of swimwear outside dedicated beach zones, or ban revealing outfits in markets and historic districts, even when temperatures are high and other tourists appear dressed casually.

Officials note that enforcement can range from verbal warnings and fines to arrest. In certain jurisdictions, public dress code violations are treated under morality or public order laws, which can carry penalties that include detention. The government points out that social media posts by tourists who flout dress norms have triggered public backlash and, in some cases, police investigations. Travelers are advised not to assume that resort standards will apply elsewhere in the same country, or that being a foreigner will shield them from enforcement.

Canadian guidance also highlights that clothing expectations can intersect with gender identity and expression. Trans and gender diverse travelers, or anyone whose clothing is perceived as not matching their legal gender, may face added scrutiny where laws strictly regulate gendered spaces or attire. Travelers are encouraged to research not only national level rules, but also regional differences within large countries where local authorities enjoy broad discretion over public morality enforcement.

Spotlight on the United States and Other High Profile Destinations

The United States, historically the top international destination for Canadians, remains under particular scrutiny in Ottawa’s gender focused travel messaging. In 2023, Canada updated its travel advice for the U.S. to warn that some states have enacted laws and policies that may affect LGBTQ travelers, including restrictions on gender affirming care, drag performances, school speech and participation in sports. That language remains part of the broader advisory framework Canadians are urged to consult before cross border trips.

Although the federal government does not single out individual U.S. states in its public advisories, officials have acknowledged that changes in state level legislation can alter the risk profile for certain travelers, especially trans people, parents of trans youth and drag performers. Canada advises travelers to review the laws in the specific states they plan to visit and transit, and to be aware that public debates around gender and sexuality can heighten social tensions in some communities.

Beyond the U.S., Canadian advisories for other high volume destinations highlight a mix of security, legal and infrastructure challenges that can intersect with the issues of clothing and gender. Mexico, Cuba and several Caribbean islands are currently tagged with cautions that range from crime and civil unrest to shortages of food, medicine and fuel, as well as frequent power outages. Disruptions to basic services can compound risks for travelers who may already be navigating unfamiliar legal and social environments.

European favorites such as Italy and Spain carry warnings about elevated terrorism threats and petty crime in crowded tourist zones, particularly during major events like Rome’s Jubilee celebrations. While these advisories are not framed explicitly around gender, Canadian officials point out that during large gatherings, policing of public order, dress and demonstrations may tighten, potentially affecting how local authorities respond to behavior they perceive as provocative or out of step with local norms.

Flight Disruptions Mount as Weather and Demand Collide

The federal government’s latest travel messaging comes as airlines and airports across North America and Europe brace for another turbulent winter after a string of severe weather systems in December 2025 triggered mass delays and cancellations. A pair of powerful storms that swept across the United States and Canada in mid and late December brought hurricane force winds, heavy snow and widespread power outages, knocking out flights at major hubs and leaving thousands of travelers stranded in cities from Denver and Dallas to Toronto and Montreal.

Those disruptions have continued to ripple into early 2026, with carriers adjusting schedules, trimming capacity and warning of limited options for rebooking during peak travel windows. Industry data show that high load factors, lean staffing and aircraft positioned away from affected regions have made it difficult to recover from major storm events quickly. Global Affairs Canada is telling travelers to expect intermittent disruption through the heart of the winter travel season and to build contingency time into itineraries that involve tight connections or multiple carriers.

Officials underscore that disruptions are not limited to domestic or transborder flights. International services to sun destinations in the Caribbean and Central America have also been susceptible, as aircraft and crews stuck in Canada or the United States fail to reach departure points on time. Travel and tourism analysts report that Canadians heading for beach resorts have increasingly encountered last minute schedule changes, diversions to alternate airports and overnight delays that compress already short vacations.

The government is urging travelers to keep close tabs on flight status through airline apps and airport information systems rather than relying solely on printed itineraries. It is also reminding Canadians that carriers’ obligations to provide meals, accommodation or compensation during major delays vary widely by jurisdiction and by whether the disruption is considered within the airline’s control. Travelers are being told to review the fine print of their tickets and to check both airline policies and applicable air passenger rights regimes before departure.

Government Advice on Managing Travel Risks

To navigate this evolving risk landscape, Global Affairs Canada is amplifying longstanding advice that officials summarize as “read, register and reach.” Canadians are urged to read destination specific Travel Advice and Advisories for more than 230 countries and territories, register their trip with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service, and ensure they know how to reach consular officials or the Emergency Watch and Response Centre should problems arise.

Beyond those core steps, Ottawa is instructing travelers to obtain robust travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, evacuation, trip interruption and cancellations linked to weather or civil unrest. Canadians are told to verify terms, exclusions and claim procedures carefully, particularly in policies that may carve out coverage for pre existing medical conditions, high risk activities or disruptions classified as extraordinary circumstances.

Health precautions remain a key pillar of the guidance. The government asks travelers to schedule pre trip medical consultations, review vaccination requirements or recommendations for their destinations and consider the implications of traveling with prescription medications, especially those that may be restricted or banned in some countries. Officials caution that certain common medications in Canada, including some controlled substances and cannabis products, are illegal in many jurisdictions and can carry severe penalties if brought across borders.

Canadians are also reminded to check the validity of passports and visas well ahead of travel and to verify entry and exit requirements, including minimum passport validity windows and proof of onward travel or sufficient funds. Families traveling with children are urged to carry consent letters and documentation demonstrating guardianship or custody, as border authorities in some countries pay particular attention to children traveling with a single adult or with adults who are not their parents.

Practical Steps for Tourists in Sensitive Destinations

For those determined to visit destinations with stringent gender norms or modesty rules, Canadian officials say preparation and situational awareness can greatly reduce the likelihood of law enforcement encounters. Travelers are encouraged to research local customs beyond formal laws, including expected attire in markets, religious buildings and government facilities, and to pack clothing that can be layered or adjusted to meet unexpected requirements.

Experts consulted by Canadian media and travel organizations note that engaging respectfully with local communities and avoiding overtly confrontational behavior around religion or gender issues can also help defuse potential conflicts. They emphasize that this does not mean abandoning personal identity or values, but rather making informed decisions about when and where to express them, particularly in places where dissent or public displays of affection can attract official attention.

Global Affairs Canada advises LGBTQ and gender diverse travelers to develop personal safety plans that account for the legal and social context of their destinations. That can include arranging trusted local contacts where possible, establishing regular check in routines with friends or family back home, and being cautious about sharing personal details with new acquaintances met in bars, clubs or online platforms.

Finally, in light of ongoing flight disruptions, Canadian authorities recommend that tourists carry essential medications, a change of clothes and key documents in their carry on luggage, and that they budget for the possibility of unplanned hotel stays or ground transport if connections are missed. While the government acknowledges that most trips proceed without major incident, its latest round of advisories underscores that the intersection of gender based legal regimes, clothing restrictions and volatile transport networks now forms a central part of the risk calculation for Canadian travelers heading abroad in 2026.