US bans visas for transgender women

The U.S. government has implemented a new policy restricting visas for transgender women who wish to compete in women's sports.

This decision follows an executive order by President Donald Trump, aimed at ensuring fairness and safety for biological women in athletics.

Details and Impact of the Restriction

• Executive Order: The policy aligns with the executive order "Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports," signed by President Trump in February 2025. This order directs federal agencies to create policies that prevent the participation of biological males in women's sports.
• Affected Visa Categories: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has revised the eligibility criteria for specific visas for athletes, such as the O-1A (Extraordinary Ability) and National Interest Waivers (NIW).
• New Rules:
• Under the new guidelines, USCIS will now deny visas to transgender women who were born male and intend to compete in women's sports.
• The agency stated that the participation of such athletes in women's sports will no longer be considered "continuing to work in the area of extraordinary ability."
• According to USCIS, this policy is meant to ensure the safety, fairness, and dignity of female athletes.
• Immediate Effect: The new rule is effective immediately and also applies to all visa applications that have already been filed or are pending.
• Impact on Athletes: This decision will affect foreign transgender women athletes who intend to compete in women's sports in the United States.
• Controversy and Reactions: The decision has drawn widespread criticism, particularly from LGBTQ+ rights groups, who argue it violates the rights of transgender individuals and is discriminatory. Conversely, supporters of the policy see it as a necessary step to prevent biological advantages in women's sports.