I so agree. I traveled to 5 different countries in 2023 for the first time with white hair. I used another platform but it was a similar exchange arrangement. I didn’t get stopped once at the border. I would get stopped when younger traveling as a tourist staying in nice hotels though. I was even surprised when I saw border control searching other Americans on my plane and they just waved me by each time. A few of these countries religion dictates to be respectful to seniors. It was actually quite enjoyable traveling as a senior.
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Yes this is true. I was thinking along the lines of the UK when I was sharing my experience. There remote work is allowed on a visitor visa so long as it isn’t the primary reason you are entering the country. I wouldn’t mention working remotely in other places if I wasn’t sure how that was viewed. Given we have a pretty healthy savings account, that alone would probably be sufficient in the very unlikely instance we were asked to prove we had the means to support ourselves.
At the end of the day, most people are crossing borders without issue, even in places like the UK, US and Canada, where these sorts of rules may be more strictly enforced.
It is unfortunate that some people are not aware of these issues and offer up unnecessary information when being asked about their visit. At least anyone reading this thread is aware.
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There were always risks with immigration in the past and there will always be risks in the future. The current situation has become a focus of the media and hence the public. A few disgruntled ex sitters are also “stirring the pot” on social media and pushing an unhinged crusade which is damaging the sitting community in the disguise of being PSAs.
Bottom line. Do your due diligence, use critical thinking (which includes not using the THS “letter”) and prepare. if you fall into the at risk group (age, travel history etc) reconsider your arrangements. IMHO statistically it’s being blown out of proportion.
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In the past few days several countries (Germany, UK, Denmark, Finland, Canada) have issued updated travel advisories regarding travel to the United States. And the message is clear.
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I’ll be traveling to the US in a couple of months, and even though I’ve visited the country 20? 30? times, including during COVID, without any issues, I feel a bit concerned this time. So, my plan of action is:
- I’ve already applied for and thankfully received my new ESTA. I know there’s no guarantee, but it definitely helps to ease the stress.
- I’ve chosen a smaller, friendly town as my entry point. (NYC is not the best choice)
- I have sufficient funds and three credit cards.
- I’ll purchase a refundable ticket.
- I’ll most likely book a hotel for the first night.
- I’ll delete the THS app and WhatsApp.
- Being retired minimizes any potential concerns regarding seeking employment to practically zero therefore I do not even concern myself with this matter
Furthermore, being the optimist that I am, I believe everything should go smoothly… unless, of course, they close borders to European travelers again, as they did during COVID, this is why a refundable ticket is so important
I do not think there is a reason to be fearful. Just take extra precautions. Good luck 
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I mentioned this before in other threads and I think it bears repeating. There seems to be something very important that gets lost in these conversations, which is how the problem seemed to start, at least in the cases I have read about.
These people were not directly asked if they were there to house sit or engage in another other activity where they would be providing some sort of ‘service’ in exchange for anything.
They were not intending to ‘hide’ their plans but were then forced to reveal them after a border guard randomly decided to interrogate them about their trip ,search their devices,etc…
They made the error–through no fault of their own obviously–of freely offering up more detail than necessary when asked their reasons for visiting the country. Had they not given this information, completely unprompted, they probably would have been on their merry way.
So it seems that anyone reading these threads and discussing this issue here or anywhere else is now aware of this biggest risk factor–the sitter’s own words.
Another thing I will say again is, for anyone who is truly fearful of even the slightest possibility of being questioned more extensively, the ‘staying with friends’ angle is riskier than saying you are there for a regular vacation.
In the latter instance, if you don’t have some full detailed itinerary to show
them, it probably wouldn’t be as big of a deal as many people don’t have every day planned out and all their bookings done ahead of time. This would be the easier ‘ruse’ to maintain.
But in the former instance, if they were to start asking more questions about this ‘friend’ you are staying with, the nature of your relationship,etc… that has the potential to unravel very quickly.
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Something else to consider is that many countries will see volunteer work as WORK and next thing you know you’re jailed.
What one should know on travel advice is that USA has chosen that the constitutional/ civil rights one would expect in that sort of country does not apply on their border control. I read about that recently, and must say I was quite surprised, I do think legal civil rights in my country applies to all, have never given it much thought that the civil rights there didn’t apply to everybody. So very enlightening.
That means that border control could ask to access your devices and if you say no deny entry, ask for your password - same. Many legit persons with valid visas have been reported deported or denied entry. For that reason several countries have altered their travel advice. Personally, on that basis I guess they could easily deny me access. 
I’m not going to check. If I had sits lined up I would have cancelled, but if you’d like to go through I would make sure to clean my devices - delete apps and log out of sky services, for instance. Or get a burner phone 
(Edited to meet posting guidelines)
You might have only learned about it recently, but it’s nothing new, and Canada does it, too.
This is from 2018, but mentions various countries that might check mobile devices and what travelers can consider doing about that:
From 2013: UK border police can seize and download your phone’s data for no reason at all | The Verge
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What I learnt recently was in the first paragraph, that civil rights don’t apply to all in USA.
(The Canadian example would then back my point, as that is in regard to «For example, if the device contains evidence of importation of prohibited or restricted goods or other regulatory contravention», which is restricted goods and not having an opinion someone doesn’t like).
Then I wouldn’t call it civil rights. I’d call it «privilege».
I am an American, currently in Greece. I do not think this should be filed under political discussion, but under valid concerns. There are several innocent foreigner being caught up in what would have been innocent speech or spurious invasion of privacy. American immigration could well interpret petsitting as trade for value and intercept someone. I hate to say it but this American would advise anyone entering the country to be very circumspect about what is in their phone, and what they say to immigration.
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@Jliz, as @Marion wisely noted then “it’s probably worth discussing your concerns with homeowners involved”. They may, or may not, have concerns on related topics for various reasons.
But ultimately it’s your choice. Each of us has a risk appetite. Perhaps based on personal circumstance; specific citizenship; and other factors. There is no right answer.
Regardless of your decision, your proactiveness in exploring such matters in a timely manner seems commendable.
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Hi @Jliz
I’ve merged your topic in with our ongoing discussion around challenges with Border Guards, just to keep the conversation in one place.
Jenny
Hello guys! I read your last messages trying to find the answer to my doubt but didn’t really find it, so I’m just gonna ask you directly and sorry if you already said this before! So, I have been accepted in some sits in New York and I should leave next may. It’s ok to me to request a visa but I don’t understand which one border security wants to see … I founf that maybe the right one is J-1 , but still not sure … Does anyone know which specific visa border security wants to see when we arrive?
There is no visa available to pet and house sit in the U.S. That’s because the U.S. considers it work that’s taken away from Americans, even if you’re sitting just for housing.
If you want to sit it the U.S., be prepared to stretch the truth and say you’re here as a tourist.
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Hi Paolaa,
You are not going to get a J-1 visa for a housesitting exchange. Petsitting or any form of “work” in exchange for housing even if no money changes hands is not allowed on a tourist visa. That is why this thread is so long! You will see that some people are suggesting certain strategies when entering the US. @august and @KC1102 have just left some relevant comments and suggestions to lesson the chances of being refused entry or detained on a tourist visa.
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The criteria that US immigration uses to determine whether something is “work” or not is whether the visitor is providing a service and receiving a benefit in return. The question of whether it is taking a position away from a US resident is secondary.
8 CFR 274 (a)(f) says that the term employee means an individual who provides services or labor for wages or other types of remuneration.
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You would not be eligible for a J-1 or any other visa/work authorization for pet-sitting. I am a US immigration lawyer, so I know there is no appropriate category.
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