Program delivery update – August 31, 2017

Unspecified sex “X” (interim measures)

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is pleased to announce that it will be moving forward with the introduction of an “unspecified” sex (“X”) for all of its official documents.

While IRCC cannot yet issue documents with an “X” in the sex field, as of August 31, 2017, IRCC offers interim measures to those requesting an “X” in the sex field in their citizenship, immigration or Canadian travel documents.

Introducing these interim measures is the first step in implementing an “unspecified” sex throughout the Department’s policies and services and demonstrates IRCC’s commitment to advancing the Government of Canada’s agenda on diversity and inclusion.

The identity management procedures on sex designation on IRCC documents and systems have been amended to remove the requirement for a medical letter from clients requesting a change of sex designation.

New instructions

• Unspecified sex “X” (interim measures)

Updated instructions

• Identity management: Sex designation on IRCC documents and in IRCC systems
• Identity management: Change of sex designation for reasons other than a clerical or administrative error