Hello
Do people who are used to doing long sits have any advice ?
Do people who would like to do long sits have any questions ?
Question What should we tell Border control, especially when traveling to the US, they are reluctant and ask questions well before the arrival of Trump and his new policy ?
Most of us are not even thinking of going to the US anytime soon. Border forces around the world are asking more questions and now we have a fee it is far more likely to be judged as work than it was previously. You never say you are pet sitting in fact there is a post on here for someone entering the UK who did and was initially denied entry
3 Likes
THS advises that international trips must be for tourist purposes only .
âAs part of our terms and conditions, you agreed you are only travelling to another country for tourism purposes, and youâve agreed to follow the immigration rules and local laws of the country youâll be visiting.â
Book hotels, and tickets for tourist attractions have proof of enough funds for your stay , ( bank statements , credit cards etc ) have your return ticket booked .
Long stays are likely to attract attention from Border Control as they are less typical for a tourist . Have an itinerary of hotels and tourist attractions to substantiate your reasons for your trip ( tourism) .
3 Likes
@Solela, there seems two distinct topics here - long-term sits, and US location. Not
Not sure of your definition of âlong sitâ. Weâve seen some listings for a year duration! Advice probably varies depending on 1 month vs 12 months. Weâve completed several sits of 1-3 months duration. Indeed we seek them. The mindset of both pet parent and housesitter is different - more about everyday living and less about vacation coverage. Topics like guest visitors; periodic coverage of pets by neighbour/friend; amenities becomes more important. Link below to prior THS Forum related thread
In terms of US, good luck. Weâd suggest reflect on your risk appetite. And on your age - it appears that risk varies by age (retirees less of an employment threat than youthful). Your options vary from securing legal work visa, to extensive preparation of documentation. Consider starting trip with some verifiable paid accommodation. Good ideas from @Silversitters. It appears that many international housesitters may not visit US housesits but thatâs your choice.
3 Likes
Long-term Sits: The longer the sit, the more âopportunitiesâ there are for something to go astray, whether with the pets or the accommodation. Therefore, the most crucial part of the equation (for me) is the host and our partnership. If the host and I are a true match, trust each other and can partner toward the same goal, then we can easily solve any issues that may arise without stress, conflict, misunderstandings or accusations.
Pet Sitting in the US: For now, I would advise you against traveling there. The chances of being denied entry are quite high, and even more so after January 1, when travelers must be prepared for an intrusion of their privacy and present five yearsâ worth of social media history to immigration. Even for those traveling as regular tourists, it is a risk not worth taking at the moment.
5 Likes
Iâm genuinely curious whether anyone has tried doing this, specifically in relation to THS pet sits, & if they were successful.
Iâm trying to imagine what the relevant authorities would say in response to an applicant stating theyâd like to barter free pet sits in exchange for temporary housing, as a job. Would it be easier to qualify for the visa since most citizens would never consider doing it, or harder because itâs soâŚweird? 
@MerryPuppins, delighted to learn from others. We have never sought such a visa so cannot comment. Having two passports has reduced, but not eliminated, our visa related travel matters.
1 Like
@MerryPuppins no specific work visa for pet sitting anywhere as far as I know. Australia has reciprocal youth work visas which allows you to travel and work and pet sitting would be fine in that scenario. US work visas are often tied to a specific job so pet sitting would be out. There is even the odd case of influencers being deported from various countries for âworkingâ whilst visiting on a tourist visa. Under the radar is the only way for many countries.
1 Like
It is best to pack the bare minimum in your luggage, only clothes, no foods, no cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, or cleaning products, in order to avoid customs checks.
As a veterinarian, if you have an extended visit, I would encourage having clarity on what are the ownerâs expectations should any of their pets become ill.
4 Likes
Definitely donât take anything prohibited with you but customs isnât normally the issue. Itâs border force that allow you into the country or not to be concerned with.
1 Like