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Bringing a Dog or Cat to India
You can bring up to 2 dogs or cats into India as baggage only if you are moving your residence there after at least 2 years of continuous stay abroad. You need an Advance No Objection Certificate (NOC), applied for on the ATITHI 2.0 portal at least 7 working days before the flight, a rabies vaccine given more than 1 month and less than 12 months before departure, and an official health certificate. Other imports need a DGFT licence, and pets on short tourist visits are generally not permitted.
Requirements at a glance
| Who qualifies | People moving residence to India after 2+ years of continuous stay abroad; up to 2 dogs or cats |
|---|---|
| Advance NOC | Apply on the ATITHI 2.0 portal at least 7 working days before the flight; issued within 1 working day; Rs 1000 |
| Microchip | Microchip certificate and number required |
| Rabies vaccine | Dogs 3 months and older, and cats: more than 1 month and less than 12 months before departure |
| Health certificate | Official certificate from the departure country; owner name must match the ticket. US certificate valid 30 days; cats examined within 7 days |
| Ports | Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Kolkata |
| Quarantine | 15 days if the pet fails the arrival exam (AQCS); USDA describes it differently, so confirm |
| Everyone else | Visits, shorter stays or more than 2 pets need a DGFT licence; start 2+ months ahead |
| Plan ahead | At least 1 month |
Step-by-step timeline
- 1+ month beforeRabies vaccine if needed: it must be given more than 1 month and less than 12 months before departure. Have the microchip certificate ready. Dogs from the US also need distemper, parvovirus and leptospirosis vaccines.
- 7+ working days beforeApply for the Advance NOC on the ATITHI 2.0 portal yourself (Rs 1000 through Bharatkosh). It is issued within 1 working day, and airlines will not fly the pet without it.
- Days beforeOfficial health certificate from the departure country. From the US it is valid for 30 days, and cats must be examined within 7 days of shipment.
- ArrivalLand at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore or Kolkata. AQCS staff check the original documents and issue the final NOC at the port.
Dogs vs cats
Dogs and cats follow the same route. Dogs need the rabies vaccine from 3 months of age. India's official pages list no banned breeds, but importing dogs for breeding or any commercial purpose is not permitted.
Common mistakes
- Flying without the Advance NOC. Airlines will not carry the pet, and a pet that arrives without one faces deportation or re-export.
- Assuming a holiday counts. The baggage route is only for people moving to India after 2+ years abroad; pets on tourist visits are generally not permitted.
- A name on the health certificate that does not match the owner's ticket.
- Giving the rabies vaccine less than 1 month before departure.
Official source: AQCS India: import of pets under baggage
Other destinations
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Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my dog to India on holiday?
Generally not. India's foreign trade directorate (DGFT) says pets on short tourist visits are generally not permitted, and only rare cases are approved.
Is there quarantine for pets in India?
AQCS says a pet that fails the physical exam on arrival is quarantined for 15 days. USDA's page describes a 15-day quarantine for baggage pets with exemptions, so confirm with AQCS before you travel.
How many pets can I bring to India?
Up to 2 dogs or cats under the baggage rule. More than 2 pets need a DGFT import licence.
Can my pet arrive after me?
Yes, within 1 month of your arrival, with a copy of your passport and immigration stamp. Sending the pet later than that, or before you arrive, needs advance customs permission.
Sources
- AQCS India: import of pets under baggage
- AQCS: import procedure for pet dogs (PDF)
- DGFT: guidelines for import of pet animals (PDF)
- USDA APHIS: pet travel from the US to India
Rules change. Always confirm with the official source above and your vet before you travel or change a vaccine plan.