I don’t think it will have anything to do with your Country of Origin. It’s far more likely to be that UK HOs will tend to go for sitters from the UK - or who are already in the UK (or at least, Europe) - for purely practical reasons: There are less likely to be problems around transport.
You mention that your first three sits here were consecutive, which rather endorses the point: For two of them, you were already On Site.
I’m UK-based. I have 21 5-star reviews and have no problem getting sits in the UK or northern Europe. But can I get one further afield? Can I heck!! And it’s obviously no reflection on my abilities as a sitter. In fact, I’ve had the most charming rejections, which have all sounded genuinely regretful.
I think homeowner behavior is complicated. As a homeowner in the US, I prefer sitters who are already in the US or are travelling with a US passport, as you never know what can happen at a border. I also sit, and haven’t despite 15 5-star reviews been overly successful at getting sits outside of the US. Getting a sit in a desirable area always means more people will apply then will get the sit and that homeowners will take different factors into consideration. You might want to check in with the homeowners you applied to find out what went into their decisions. But sure, not wanting to depend on a sitter getting through the border when “sitting” is not actually allowed on a tourist visa is a legit reason for someone choosing the person who won’t have the problem.
I am in the UK, and applied for my first ever sit in mainland Europe, outskirts of Amsterdam, with a solid 52 x5 star reviews behind me. I was rejected in favour of a couple, because one dog is strong and pulls, and also they lived in Netherlands.
I accept that.
Geography and owners perogative of who suited them best.
Thank you for posting this. I have been wondering if the political climate in the States is going to impact American sitters getting sits overseas. I’ve had two terrific sits in the UK in the past 7 months but things have changed quite a bit. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a decrease in acceptance. I live in NYC and I assume that helps me given the political leanings of the city, but I am not taking that for granted anymore. It’s unfortunate if this is what’s happening, but understandable.
@MapAndMug, sounds like your applications were declined. This seems quite normal practice. Suspect you’re overthinking situation. If multiple confirmed sits had been cancelled then would be more questionable.
For what it’s worth, a host could decline any international housesitter applicant if they prefer a local housesitter. We have applied for many international listings and some hosts decline and state that they seek someone local. Happens.
As @Becca noted, there are many UK listings so you suggest keep applying.
I really don’t think it is. People here in the UK might have opinions about what’s going on in the US, but I can’t imagine any but a handful would a) care so passionately as to let it affect their personal lives or b) project national politics onto individual sitters.
Oh yes, just look how Tesla sales are going in Europe. Lots of people (even Scottish fans) have decided to cancel their tickets for the Fifa soccer championships. And the general slump in tourist travel to the US.
I don’t think being rejected for 2 sits in the UK constitutes a nationality bias. There are lots of reasons why HOs decline applicants, and you only ever have a one-in-five chance of success, at best. Just stay positive, keep trying, and don’t take things personally.
@MapAndMug, from OP we see no meaningful evidence of political bias or border concern.
That said then THS is a matchmaking platform. Housesitters express preferences in which listings to submit applications. Pet Parents express preferences in which applicants they wish to schedule video call and ultimately confirm sit.
We’ve come across Pet Parents with various subjective preferences.
geography. local vs international housesitter
travel. long-travel to housesit vs already in country
age. retiree vs professional vs youth
citizenship. ability of housesitter to “work” in country without work visa
lifestyle. remote worker vs tourist vs at-property
experience. veteran vs newbie housesitter
pets. experience with host pet type/breed vs general pet experience
connection. some form of personal connection with pet parent
probably lots more
Re border control then multiple countries seems to have escalated enforcement of border control protocols. Laws in many countries, including US and UK, regard housesitting as employment with in-kind compensation - therefore in technical breach of a tourist visa. This applies to all housesitters and there is a very very long THS Forum thread that discusses relates matters.
Yeah. But electric cars in general aren’t popular in the UK (I can’t speak for the rest of Europe). It has nothing to do with politics; it’s just cost. As for the rest, the OP was about an American getting sits in Europe, not v/v.
Do you really think any European is going to look at an excellent sit applicant and think “Well, you look great! But I hate your president, so no way are you going to look after Cattie McCatface!” ?
I’m a US citizen who has had only one sit in London, but it was an amazing experience. So I started applying for London sits again for 2026 but I withdrew all my applications and stopped looking. There are many who believe that if things get much worse, I could be stuck over there and that’s not something I’m willing to take a chance on.
@DianaO, we each have risk tolerances. No right or wrong but personal choices. Seems you have made yours . From other THS Forum threads, many international housesitters appear to be choosing to avoid housesits in the US for reasons including border control risks. THS does not publish data on the listings that are completed by international housesitters, but seems credible guess that there should be plenty of US listings available for your future applications.
So I lost my Dad last year to cancer. Had signed up to to run a fundraising half marathon for charity in his memory this year. Now, I haven’t run in years so getting started again has been real work on that front -and fundraising is in full swing.
What’s ironic is the half marathon is supposed to be Copenhagen in September of this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if they turned us away last minute.
I love the UK (at least what I have seen so far)! I don’t want to live there, nor do I have connections. I just wanted to see more of the country in warmer weather.
. From other THS Forum threads, many international housesitters appear to be choosing to avoid housesits in the US for reasons including border control risks. THS does not publish data on the listings that are completed by international housesitters, but seems credible guess that there should be plenty of US listings available for your future applications.