Pet Import Requirements: India (2026) | Dogs & Cats

A Comprehensive Guide to Pet Transport to India

TLDR: Every pet imported to India needs an Advance No Objection Certificate (NOC) from AQCS, submitted at least 7 days before travel, and must qualify under one of three pathways: Transfer of Residence, Re-import, or Short Stay (DGFT license). Dogs and cats need a microchip, current rabies vaccination, and an official health certificate . No rabies titer test is required, and there is no minimum age. Pets arriving as baggage are generally subject to a 15-day quarantine on arrival. Cats have a species-specific 7-day influenza examination requirement.

India does not allow open-ended pet imports. Every case has to fit one of three recognized pathways, and every pet needs an Advance NOC before it can board a flight. Getting the pathway and the NOC right from day one is the single most important part of a successful move to India.

Requirements at a Glance

The Three Import Pathways

Every pet import to India must fall under one of three pathways. Your pathway determines which supporting documents you need, and submitting under the wrong one, or without the right proof, results in rejection. Confirm your pathway before anything else.

Transfer of Residence. For owners relocating to India. Requires proof of two years of overseas stay, plus visa cancellation or other relocation proof.

Re-import. For pets that previously left India. Requires the original AQCS veterinary health certificate issued when the pet was exported from India. Without that document, the case cannot be filed as a re-import.

Short Stay (DGFT). For pets that don't qualify under the other two pathways. Requires a valid DGFT license, which must be in place before the NOC application. Obtaining the DGFT license is a separate process that takes time, so start it early.

The Advance NOC

The Advance No Objection Certificate is the mandatory pre-travel approval issued by AQCS, and it's required before your pet can board any aircraft. The airline will not accept your dog or cat for carriage until the Advance NOC is obtained.

Submit the NOC application by email or in person at the relevant AQCS office, at least 7 days before embarkation. AQCS processes complete applications within 1 working day of receipt. If you're authorizing someone to apply on your behalf, include an authority letter.

Do not finalize flight bookings or cargo arrangements until the Advance NOC is confirmed in hand.

Required Supporting Documents

Every NOC application needs:

• Vaccination certificate
• Microchip certificate
• Official health certificate (Annexure 1.1.1 for dogs, Annexure 2.1.1 for cats)
• Air ticket or airway bill
• Passport copy of the owner
• Pathway-specific documents (proof of two years overseas stay and visa cancellation for Transfer of Residence; the earlier AQCS export certificate for Re-import; a valid DGFT license for Short Stay)

Microchip and Rabies Vaccination

Your pet needs an ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip, implanted before the rabies vaccination so the vaccination record ties to the microchip number. A microchip certificate must be submitted with the NOC application, and the microchip must be referenced on the official health certificate.

The rabies vaccination must be current at the time of travel and recorded on the health certificate. If your pet isn't yet old enough for a required vaccination, the vaccination record of the mother must be produced along with the pet's documents.

Health Certificate

Dogs require an official health certificate with Annexure 1.1.1, and cats require Annexure 2.1.1. Both must be signed by the competent authority, meaning an official government veterinarian, not just a local accredited vet.

Cat-Specific 7-Day Influenza Examination

Cats have one requirement dogs don't. The official health certificate for cats (Annexure 2.1.1) must certify that the cat shows no clinical signs or symptoms of influenza-like illness, including respiratory distress. This examination must be conducted no more than 7 days before shipment.

This 7-day window runs independently of any other health certificate timing, so the completing vet needs to schedule the cat's influenza examination within 7 days of the actual shipment date. Dogs are not subject to this requirement.

Titer Test, Quarantine, and Age

India is simpler than most Asian destinations in some respects and stricter in others. No rabies titer or serology test is required to import a pet into India from the USA, and there is no minimum age requirement, though pets below vaccination age need the mother's vaccination record.

Quarantine is where India differs from what many owners expect. On arrival, the Regional or Quarantine Officer examines the pet and verifies the veterinary certificate and vaccination records. Pets imported as accompanied or unaccompanied baggage are generally subject to a 15-day quarantine, even when the health check is clear and the documents are in order. If clinical illness is detected during quarantine, the period may be extended depending on the disease and its severity.

Pets brought for temporary visits, such as shows, visitors, travelers, therapy, assistance, and security purposes, may be exempt from the 15-day quarantine, provided the owner presents the required documents. Because quarantine handling depends on your import category and can affect your arrival planning, confirm your specific situation with your relocation coordinator before travel.

How PetRelocation Can Help

India's pathway system and Advance NOC process are where most import problems start, since the wrong pathway or a missing supporting document means rejection, not a delay you can fix later. PetRelocation has handled moves to India for over 20 years and knows how to confirm the right pathway and assemble a complete NOC application from day one.

Complete Support covers the full process including pathway confirmation, NOC application, vet coordination, and document preparation. Vet Paperwork Support focuses on the health certificate and documentation while you handle the logistics. Consultation gives you direct access to a coordinator to work through your pathway and timeline before committing.

Get a free quote from PetRelocation and a relocation manager will walk you through your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my pet need a quarantine period in India?
Pets imported as accompanied or unaccompanied baggage are generally quarantined for 15 days on arrival, even when the health inspection is clear. Pets brought for temporary visits (shows, therapy, assistance, and similar) may be exempt with the required documents. Confirm your specific category with your coordinator.

What is the Advance NOC and when do I apply?
The Advance No Objection Certificate is the mandatory approval from AQCS required before your pet can board a flight. Submit the application at least 7 days before embarkation. AQCS processes complete applications within 1 working day.

Does India require a rabies titer test?
No. No rabies titer or serology test is required to import a pet into India from the USA.

What's different about moving a cat to India versus a dog?
Cats have a species-specific 7-day influenza examination. The cat's health certificate (Annexure 2.1.1) must certify no clinical signs of influenza-like illness, examined no more than 7 days before shipment. Dogs are not subject to this.

What documents do I need if my pet previously lived in India?
You'll file under the Re-import pathway, which requires the original AQCS veterinary health certificate from when your pet was exported from India. Without it, the case cannot be filed as a re-import.

Source: AQCS (Animal Quarantine and Certification Services)