Pet Travel

Pet Relocation Guide

Tailored checklist for relocating your dog or cat to/from India: vaccine schedule, quarantine rules, and airline policies.

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AQCS Advance NOC (India)

Every pet entering India requires an Advance No Objection Certificate (NOC) from AQCS — submit at least 7 working days before travel. The NOC is free of charge. Your airline will not board the pet without it.

1. Download Annexure 1.1 (application form) from aqcsindia.gov.in.
2. Fill in your pet's details: name, breed, sex, DOB, colour, microchip number, country of origin, and purpose of import (Transfer of Residence / Re-import / Short Stay).
3. Attach supporting documents: Veterinary Health Certificate (Annexure 1.1.1), pet passport/health card, flight ticket/airway bill, and passport copy.
4. Submit via email or in person to the AQCS office at your arrival airport. The Advance NOC is issued within 1 working day if documents are in order.
5. On arrival, the AQCS officer examines your pet. If fit: Final NOC issued on the spot. If clinical signs are present: 15-day quarantine at the AQCS station.

AQCS offices at arrival airports: New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata. If you cannot attend personally, you may authorise a representative (Annexure 1.6).

Download forms at aqcsindia.gov.in

Procedure Checklist

1
Microchip insertion
Have your vet insert an ISO 15-digit (FDXA/FDXB) microchip. This MUST be done BEFORE the rabies vaccine so the chip ID links to the vaccination record.
2
Rabies vaccination
Administer a valid rabies vaccine after microchipping. Must be given at least 30 days before entry into India. Vaccine must not be expired on travel date.
3
Apply for AQCS Advance NOC
At least 14 days before travel, submit the application form (Annexure 1.1 for dogs / Annexure 2.1 for cats — download from aqcsindia.gov.in) by email or in person to the AQCS office at your arrival airport. Attach: Veterinary Health Certificate (Annexure 1.1.1 / 2.1.1), pet passport, flight ticket, and passport copy. The Advance NOC is issued within 1 working day. Your airline will not board the pet without it.
4
Government-endorsed Health Certificate
A licensed vet in your country issues a health certificate. This must be endorsed / counter-signed by the government veterinary authority (e.g., USDA APHIS in US, CFIA in Canada, APHA in UK) within 10 days of travel.
5
Deworming / parasite treatment
Administer deworming treatment (e.g., praziquantel). Some AQCS offices require the vet certificate to mention this. Do it within 5 days of travel.

ISO 15-digit microchip certificate (chip ID, insertion date, inserting vet details)
Rabies vaccination certificate (microchip ID, vaccine brand, batch number, date, expiry)
Veterinary Health Certificate — Annexure 1.1.1 for dogs / Annexure 2.1.1 for cats (signed by competent authority, within 10 days of travel)
Pet passport
AQCS Advance NOC — apply via email or in person using Annexure 1.1 (dogs) / Annexure 2.1 (cats), at least 7 working days before travel
Deworming certificate (within 5 days of travel)
Flight ticket / airway bill
Passport copy of the owner

Frequently Asked Questions

Rules change frequently. Verify current requirements with AQCS India (aqcsindia.gov.in), the destination country's veterinary authority, and your airline before travel.

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Procedure Checklist

1
Microchip insertion
Have your vet insert an ISO 15-digit (FDXA/FDXB) microchip. This MUST be done BEFORE the rabies vaccine so the chip ID links to the vaccination record.
2
Rabies vaccination
Administer a valid rabies vaccine after microchipping. Must be given at least 30 days before entry into India. Vaccine must not be expired on travel date.
3
Apply for AQCS Advance NOC
At least 14 days before travel, submit the application form (Annexure 1.1 for dogs / Annexure 2.1 for cats — download from aqcsindia.gov.in) by email or in person to the AQCS office at your arrival airport. Attach: Veterinary Health Certificate (Annexure 1.1.1 / 2.1.1), pet passport, flight ticket, and passport copy. The Advance NOC is issued within 1 working day. Your airline will not board the pet without it.
4
Government-endorsed Health Certificate
A licensed vet in your country issues a health certificate. This must be endorsed / counter-signed by the government veterinary authority (e.g., USDA APHIS in US, CFIA in Canada, APHA in UK) within 10 days of travel.
5
Deworming / parasite treatment
Administer deworming treatment (e.g., praziquantel). Some AQCS offices require the vet certificate to mention this. Do it within 5 days of travel.