Thanks for sharing, are there countries that allow it officially? Thanks
It’s probably a grey field in many countries, but some make more of a fuss about it than others
It’s strange that this topic is in “sitter questions and advice.” The thing is it impacts hosts and PETS as well. If a sitter is detained and the host has already left with plans for a cold handover, what happens when the sitter doesn’t show up? For hours! Or days! It’s not clear in these situations how many phone calls the sitter will get or whom they will call! Not only does THS owe sitters more accurate information than the notorious letter, but they also need to let hosts know as well that international sitters could get stopped at the border. It’s not just a “risk” for individual sitters that they can take or not depending on their confidence in their ability to charm or decieve border guards, it’s a risk for pets.
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The likelihood of a class action suit for this is less than zero. This is just PR.
Agreed. You cross the border the best way possible. Now I travel with a full car full of stuff. So I get questioned, but I am a dual citizen, so it doesn’t matter. But if I was going abroad, I would not have a full car and then I would just be a tourist, no given explanation of house sitting.
And also, it is my understanding that if a US-based host knowingly engages a sitter that is not legally authorized to work in the country, the host can face penalties including a fine of $3000 and up to six months in prison. Other countries might have similar penalties.
I would request source on that info please
Among the Scandinavian countries, Denmark (Udenrigsministeriet) have explicitly updated its U.S. travel advisory in May 2025, which, includes a warning that unpaid volunteer work is not permitted under ESTA. This update followed several incidents where young Danes with valid ESTAs were detained, put in handcuffs and deported after participating in volunteer projects.
They we’re held in group detention and deported due to: Only having an Esta and not a specific visa that allows volunteer work - and additionally for not being able to show valid proof of accommodation for their entire stay of 10 days - roofing.
Sweden, Norway, and Finland all updated their advisories in March 2025, with added focus on gender identification requirements for visa and ESTA applications, - stressing that a valid authorization does not guarantee entry into the United States.
The updates and restrictions are accessible on main websites of the foreign affairs ministries. For those who knows the language; Two of the people detained are interviewed here:
“From Dream Vacation to Prison Nightmare”
The quote is from the website of The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Udenrigsministeriet) However, the majority of countries in Scandinavia share the same or resembling information and guidelines
Are they actually asking to show proof of accomodation? Are THS HOs wiling to be called and say they are friends and hosting these international guests?
Assuming it was the fine and imprisonment to which you are referring, please note that I am not a lawyer. There is information on the website of US Customs and immigration Services. In addition, per the Department of Justice website (every time I put a link on THS it is removed)
"CRM 1500-1999
1908. Unlawful Employment Of Aliens – Criminal Penalties
Title 8 U.S.C. § 1324a(a)(1)(A) makes it unlawful for any person or other entity to hire, recruit, or refer for a fee, for employment in the United States an alien knowing the alien is an unauthorized alien, as defined in subsection 1324a(h)(3).
Subsection 1324a(2) makes it unlawful for any person or entity, after hiring an alien for employment, to continue to employ the alien in the United States knowing the alien is or has become an unauthorized alien with respect to such employment.
Subsection 1324a(f) provides that any person or entity that engages in a “pattern or practice” of violations of subsection (a)(1)(A) or (a)(2) shall be fined not more than $3000 for each unauthorized alien with respect to whom such a violation occurs, imprisoned for not more than six months for the entire pattern or practice, or both."
This seems like what they use to prosecute agriculture or construction bosses who employ illegal immigrants over long stretches, for instance.
Yup, I looked up subsequent parts of that law on the Cornell law school site and it says stuff like:
I suggest not needlessly scaring folks by raising laws that are used to prosecute smugglers of illegal immigrants and such.
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It may be somewhat alarmist but maybe not that off the mark. Personally, I know two people who were not ultimately prosecuted but did get in a little trouble when their nannies were busted at the border. In both cases nannies/au par were either relatives or friends of family coming with 6 month visas on repeat trips which got them flagged. It was the fact that in both cases they agreed to turn around go home and not fight it that meant there was nothing to prosecute and no investigation. In both cases the investigation could have shown the nannies were recieving some money in addition to room and board. These were a few years ago, but these days who knows what might happen.
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In this case, yes, detained and deported for volunteer work in exchange for 10 days of free accommodation.
As for whether hosts are willing or not I wouldn’t know —based on the low applications on US listings right now, probably. Will always be some who don’t follow the news, or are willing to risk prison and deportation for a holiday
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I wouldn’t characterize or equate hiring an illegal nanny with THS sitting. In nanny situations involving illegal immigration, that’s more like the construction worker situation — people smuggled (or otherwise violating immigration laws to get) into the country and trying to live and work here indefinitely.
That often means doing other things illegally as well, like driving. And building homes and such without training, licensing, permits, etc. Plus, they’re usually paid in cash, without anyone paying taxes.
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Someone coming into the United States to do a THS sit, who does not have a visa that allows them to work in the United States, is engaging in ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. The homeowner who engages that sitter, knowing they are not abiding by the terms of their entry into the country, is also engaging in illegal behavior.
We can talk ourselves blue in the face about what is more or less illegal. But our opinions are 100% irrelevant. The only opinions that matter are those of the border patrol and the judge(s).
I find it curious that a factual post quoting government sources is framed as “needlessly scaring folks”. I was asked for sources and I provided them. There is zero need to be scared if the laws are followed.
Given the hundreds if not thousands of sits available on THS, it is quite doable for citizens of just about any country to find a suitable sit in locations where they are legally permitted to engage in this type of exchange. If someone finds themselves bending over backwards to justify engaging in a sit that they know is not fully legally - whether as a homeowner or a sitter - my question is: Why? What is the motivation?
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Thanks for the info.
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For some hosts, it might come down to financial reasons or simply not having any option beyond a kennel. But when it comes to the guests, It’s a mistery for me too.
Tourists are cancelling their U.S. trips altogether right now—regardless of destination or accommodation type.
After all, starting your holiday by bending over in handcuffs in a detention room, isn’t exactly anyone’s idea of a warm welcome
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I don’t see it as my business to decide for others their reasons and priorities. To me, if someone wants to take risks, best to have the right info, so they can make their own decisions. The legal definition of illegal immigration and related laws are not the right info to bring into this conversation, because those are actually different issues versus traveling for the purposes of sitting temporarily. That is actually seen as breaking the law in various countries, but it isn’t illegal immigration into the U.S. Shouting with all caps doesn’t change that, especially when citing the wrong laws. This is a thread meant to help folks, not to confuse.
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