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DHS Now Accepting Self-Identified Gender on Immigration Forms

Immigrants do not need to submit proof of their gender identity when requesting a change to their gender marker

  • Written By:
    Alison MoodieAlison Moodie is the Managing Editor at Boundless Immigration
  • Updated March 27, 2025
Immigrants wave pride flags

Immigrant visa applicants will now be permitted to specify their own gender identity on forms, even if it does not match the gender identity shown on their supporting documents.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the policy update on Friday, adding that immigrants do not need to submit proof of their gender identity when requesting a change to their gender marker unless they are submitting Form N-565, used to apply for a replacement of your naturalization certificate or citizenship document.

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Currently, only two genders are available on immigration forms ā€” ā€œMaleā€ (M) and ā€œFemaleā€ (F), but the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it is working towards introducing an additional gender marker (ā€œXā€) for unspecified genders soon.

DHS first called for public input in April 2021 to gather insights on the obstacles that applicants face during the immigration process.

Responders said the requirement to include proof of gender changes were making it harder to apply for visas and citizenship, the agency said in a statement.