Pet Relocation Guide
Tailored checklist for relocating your dog or cat to/from India — vaccine schedule, quarantine rules, and airline policies.
1. Your pet
2. Direction
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.
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- 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.