We were traveling from the U.S. to Canada for a TrustedHousesitters sit and ran into some issues at the border.
Theytold us we could enter, but there was a lot of questioning because they seemed confused when we explained that we were entering Canada to house sit through TrustedHousesitters. They appeared to view the house sit as a form of work.
Has anyone else had a similar experience or ever been denied entry when traveling internationally for a TrustedHousesitters sit?
We’d love to continue using TrustedHousesitters as a way to travel internationally, but this experience made us a little nervous about future border crossings. I’d love to hear how others handle explaining their house sits when entering another country.
You never tell border control you are entering to house sit. You say you are entering as a tourist. Best to have a reservation for a hotel or hostel for al least a night. Or in a van let them know where you plan to camp. Someone mentioned to make a reservation you can cancel once you pass the border. I like having a night or two in a hotel after a long plane ride. You’re lucky they let you in. I saw a volunteer worker land in Australia and sent back to her country which was China. Never made it out of the airport once she arrived. Poor young girl having a summer adventure was devastated. She kept explaining that she wasn’t being paid but they don’t care. They feel if other people didn’t come from different countries to work for free than these locals would hire their citizens.
Hard to say if there’s more traveling per se, but I wouldn’t be surprised if US/CA crossings are receiving a bit of additional “scrutiny” following the events of the past few weeks.
I’d be prepared for longer waits & more questions on both sides of the border for a bit, just in case. As a US citizen who regularly crosses between WA & BC, I also find my Global Entry a big help as it provides access to the Nexus fast lanes.
While I’d never tell someone to lie to an agent at a border crossing, we can sometimes have different interpretations of what constitutes work/compensation/tourism — so how one tells their story is key:
— My purpose of travel is alwaystourism (and I sometimes go on to elaborate on my plans to shop for fabric, the gardens I plan to visit, etc. if they feel like listening…)
— When asked where I’m going, I start with just the name of the town/cities I’m visiting. Often they don’t care to know more.
— If they do ask where exactly I’m staying: if I’ve booked a night or two at a hotel for the start of my trip, I tell them which one & leave it at that unless they ask my checkout date.
— If they want to know more (or I’m going directly to the sit), I tell them I’m staying with friends for parts of my trip. Make sure you know your hosts’ first & last names & have their address(es) & contact info in your phone so you can provide it if asked. (I also forewarn my hosts in case they get a call for confirmation, but that’s never yet happened.)
— I did have a couple border agents ask me how I knew my “friends.” In one case I answered that we met online. The other time I confirmed that I knew them in person (I’d sat for them previously, so perfectly truthful response.) They waved me through with no further questions.
Hope this helps; best of luck to those traveling across borders.
There are multiple threads on here about this. Users themspyglass to search. Bottom line is never tell border officers you are in country to house sit. You are there as a tourist.
You’re fortunate that you didn’t get turned away, they were extremely accommodating and allowed you to enter the country for a purpose that is considered to be breaking the laws of most countries.
I’m sorry if I made it seem awful; I was just trying to outline the way I’m prepared to answer the questions seamlessly. I’ve been traveling internationally for so long that it’s just become second nature.
Honestly it feels more like a bit of a game to me, as we all know we’re not taking anyone’s jobs by participating in this really lovely, kind, & mutually-beneficial exchange program. The advice I and others are giving is simply meant to streamline the process so it goes as smoothly as possible & minimizes stress for those who maybe aren’t as comfortable.
Golly — I do hope that feeling dissipates & you decide to try it sometime, petsitting aside. It’s a big amazing world out there; I wouldn’t be the person I am without those experiences & that knowledge.
Prepare to say you are a tourist and visiting friends (make sure to know the name of the town) and how we met? On an online community of dog/cat/travel (pick one) lovers. Where are you staying? With friends. This is not lying. I consider many of the people we have sat for as new friends - or at the very least, friendly acquaintances.
Airports all over the world are becoming more automated. Often you never even get questioned.
Do not be scared to leave the US, a lot of us are scared to go there at the moment
