TrustedHousesitters Faces Backlash as Members Detained Over Visa Issues

TrustedHousesitters, the world’s largest housesitting company, is under fire for allegedly providing misleading travel advice that encourages members to flout visa regulations. The platform, which charges users £131 a year to access opportunities for free stays in exchange for pet care, has faced accusations from travelers who were detained and deported after arriving for international housesitting assignments without proper work visas.

The company, valued at £100m, promotes its service as a budget-friendly way to travel the world. However, some members report being caught off guard when immigration authorities challenged their travel documentation, leading to financial losses and potential long-term travel restrictions. TrustedHousesitters offers letters for members to present to immigration officers, arguing that since housesitting is unpaid, a work visa is unnecessary, but this advice has been criticized as misleading.