Bringing a pet to India

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

India requires an import permit, a government-endorsed health certificate, proof of rabies vaccination, and an ISO microchip for every dog entering the country. There is no routine quarantine for pets with complete, valid paperwork, but missing or expired documents can lead to detention, return, or quarantine at the owner's expense. Requirements vary by the rabies-risk status of the origin country, so check the rules for your departure country before booking flights.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to India.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country, endorsed by the national veterinary authority · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

India does not maintain a national breed ban for pet dogs. However, some airlines refuse to carry brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, and Shih Tzus, especially in summer, due to respiratory risk. Check with your airline before booking.

Documents checklist

  • DAHD import permit (issued before travel)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid at least 21 days, not more than 1 year old)
  • Official government health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate / proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
  • Airline AWB and customs declaration

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, DAHD import permit fee ~$10–30, airline pet fee ~$100–500 depending on route. FAVN titer test not required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and DAHD.

No quarantine if documents are complete. Pet must arrive at an authorised airport with a quarantine facility.

AQCS India

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country, endorsed by the national veterinary authority · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

India does not maintain a national breed ban for pet dogs. However, some airlines refuse to carry brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, and Shih Tzus, especially in summer, due to respiratory risk. Check with your airline before booking.

Documents checklist

  • DAHD import permit (issued before travel)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid at least 21 days, not more than 1 year old)
  • Official government health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate / proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
  • Airline AWB and customs declaration

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, DAHD import permit fee ~$10–30, airline pet fee ~$100–500 depending on route. FAVN titer test not required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and DAHD.

No quarantine if documents are complete. Pet must arrive at an authorised airport with a quarantine facility.

AQCS India

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country, endorsed by the national veterinary authority · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

India does not maintain a national breed ban for pet dogs. However, some airlines refuse to carry brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, and Shih Tzus, especially in summer, due to respiratory risk. Check with your airline before booking.

Documents checklist

  • DAHD import permit (issued before travel)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid at least 21 days, not more than 1 year old)
  • FAVN/RFFIT rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from an approved laboratory, at least 90 days before travel
  • Official government health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate / proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
  • Airline AWB and customs declaration

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, FAVN titer test ~$100–250, DAHD import permit fee ~$10–30, airline pet fee ~$100–500 depending on route. Confirm current prices with a local vet and DAHD.

Titer test is mandatory for high-risk origin countries. The 90-day wait is counted from the date the blood sample was drawn. No quarantine if all documents are complete, but pets without a valid titer test may be quarantined or refused entry.

AQCS India

Frequently asked questions

A single passenger may bring up to two pet dogs under non-commercial rules. If you bring three or more, the import is treated as commercial and requires additional DAHD approvals, including a commercial import permit and possibly a quarantine period. The limit applies per passenger, not per family.
It depends on the rabies-risk status of the country you are travelling from. Dogs from high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East) must have a FAVN or RFFIT test with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, performed at an approved laboratory at least 90 days before travel. Dogs from low-risk or free countries do not need a titer test.
There is no routine quarantine if your dog arrives with a valid DAHD import permit, a government-endorsed health certificate, proof of rabies vaccination, and (if required) a passing titer test. If any document is missing or expired, the dog may be detained at the airport quarantine facility at your expense until the issue is resolved, or refused entry.
Apply online through the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) portal at https://dahd.gov.in. You will need to upload your dog's rabies vaccination certificate, microchip details, and a health certificate. Apply at least 30 days before travel. The permit is usually valid for 30 days from the date of issue, so time your application carefully.
No. India does not exempt emotional support, service, or assistance dogs from the standard import requirements. Your dog still needs a DAHD import permit, a government-endorsed health certificate, proof of rabies vaccination, and a microchip. Airlines may also have separate policies for cabin travel of service animals, but the government import rules apply regardless.
Your dog must be at least 3 months (12 weeks) old at the time of rabies vaccination, and you must wait at least 21 days after vaccination before travel. In practice, this means the puppy will be at least 4 months old on arrival. Some airlines also have their own minimum age for carriage, often 8–12 weeks.
Your dog must arrive at an authorised international airport that has a quarantine facility. These include Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Chennai (MAA), Kolkata (CCU), Bengaluru (BLR), Hyderabad (HYD), Kochi (COK), and Thiruvananthapuram (TRV). If you arrive at a non-authorised airport, you may be denied entry or required to transport the dog to an authorised facility at your own cost.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to India.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country, endorsed by the Indian Embassy/High Commission or consular authority in that country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • International Health Certificate for companion animals issued by an official government veterinarian and endorsed by the Indian Embassy/High Commission
  • Import permit / No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India
  • Microchip certificate showing ISO 11784/11785 15-digit code
  • Recent colour photograph of the cat (passport-style, 4x4 cm)
  • Copy of owner's passport and visa/OCI/PIO card
  • Airline AWB / booking confirmation showing the cat is travelling as accompanied baggage or cargo

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally. Microchip ~$30–50; health certificate + consular endorsement ~$100–250; DAHD import permit/NOC fee is nominal (often ₹0–₹1,000) but courier/agent fees can add $50–150; airline pet fee $100–500 depending on carrier and route. No titre test is required in this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the DAHD.

India does not operate a tiered 'free/low/high' system in its own regulations — the same DAHD import permit and quarantine rules apply regardless of origin. Cats from Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City and similar territories still need the DAHD NOC and the official endorsed health certificate. Quarantine is normally 0 days for cats if all documents are in order, but the DAHD may order quarantine at the point of entry if paperwork is incomplete or the animal shows signs of disease.

AQCS India

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country (e.g. USDA APHIS-accredited vet for the US, DEFRA/APHA for the UK, or the national veterinary authority), endorsed by the Indian Embassy/High Commission · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • International Health Certificate for companion animals issued by an official government veterinarian and endorsed by the Indian Embassy/High Commission
  • Import permit / No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD)
  • Microchip certificate showing ISO 11784/11785 15-digit code
  • Recent colour photograph of the cat (passport-style, 4x4 cm)
  • Copy of owner's passport and visa/OCI/PIO card
  • Airline AWB / booking confirmation showing the cat is travelling as accompanied baggage or cargo

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally. Microchip ~$30–50; health certificate + consular endorsement ~$100–250; DAHD import permit/NOC fee is nominal but agent/courier fees can add $50–150; airline pet fee $100–500. No titre test is required in this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the DAHD.

Cats from the US, UK, EU, Japan, Australia and similar low-risk origins follow the same DAHD process as high-risk origins — India does not waive the import permit or the consular endorsement for low-risk countries. The 21-day post-vaccination wait is counted from the date of the most recent rabies vaccination. Quarantine is normally 0 days if documents are complete; the DAHD may order quarantine at the port of entry if paperwork is deficient.

AQCS India

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country, endorsed by the Indian Embassy/High Commission · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • FAVN/RFFIT rabies antibody titre test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from an approved laboratory, dated at least 90 days before travel
  • International Health Certificate for companion animals issued by an official government veterinarian and endorsed by the Indian Embassy/High Commission
  • Import permit / No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD)
  • Microchip certificate showing ISO 11784/11785 15-digit code
  • Recent colour photograph of the cat (passport-style, 4x4 cm)
  • Copy of owner's passport and visa/OCI/PIO card
  • Airline AWB / booking confirmation showing the cat is travelling as accompanied baggage or cargo

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally. Microchip ~$30–50; FAVN/RFFIT titre test ~$100–250 plus courier to an approved lab; health certificate + consular endorsement ~$100–250; DAHD import permit/NOC fee nominal but agent fees $50–150; airline pet fee $100–500. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the DAHD.

India applies the same DAHD import permit and consular endorsement requirements to high-risk origins, but additionally requires a valid FAVN/RFFIT titre test (≥0.5 IU/ml) taken at least 90 days before travel. The 90-day wait is counted from the date the blood sample was drawn. If the titre is below 0.5 IU/ml, the cat must be re-vaccinated and re-tested, and the 90-day clock restarts. Quarantine is normally 0 days if all documents are complete, but the DAHD may order quarantine at the port of entry if the titre test is missing, expired, or below threshold.

AQCS India

Frequently asked questions

India's DAHD rules for accompanied baggage allow up to 2 pets (dogs or cats) per passenger under the non-commercial 'pet' category. If you are bringing more than 2, the shipment is treated as commercial and requires a full commercial import licence, a veterinary import permit for commercial purposes, and compliance with the Livestock Importation Act — a much heavier process. Confirm the current cap with DAHD before booking, as the number has been interpreted as 2 per passenger in recent years.
No. India does not exempt emotional-support animals or service animals from the DAHD import permit, the endorsed health certificate, the rabies vaccination requirement, or the FAVN titre test (if applicable). Airlines may allow an emotional-support cat in the cabin, but that is an airline policy, not a border-control exemption. The cat must still enter with the same DAHD NOC and veterinary documents as any other cat.
It depends on the origin country. If the cat is coming from a country that DAHD recognises as rabies-free or low-risk (e.g. UK, US, most of the EU, Japan, Australia), a FAVN/RFFIT test is not required — only a valid rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel. If the cat is coming from a high-risk country (e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, the Middle East), a FAVN/RFFIT test with a titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml is required, and the blood sample must be taken at least 90 days before travel. Confirm your origin country's status with DAHD before you book.
Apply for the DAHD No Objection Certificate at least 30–45 days before travel. The application is made to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, New Delhi, with the health certificate, vaccination record, microchip details, and a photograph of the cat. Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks, but can be longer in peak season. The NOC is usually valid for 30–60 days from issue, so time your application so the NOC is still valid on your arrival date.
For a cat arriving with a complete, valid set of documents — DAHD NOC, endorsed health certificate, rabies vaccination certificate, microchip certificate, and (if required) FAVN titre test — quarantine is normally 0 days. However, the DAHD or the port health officer can order quarantine at the point of entry if any document is missing, expired, or inconsistent, or if the cat shows signs of infectious disease. Quarantine, if ordered, is at the owner's expense at a DAHD-approved facility.
The cat must be at least 3 months (12 weeks) old at the time of rabies vaccination, and the rabies vaccine must have been given at least 21 days before travel. In practice, this means the cat should be at least 4 months old on the date of arrival. Kittens younger than 3 months cannot meet the rabies vaccination requirement and are not accepted under the standard pet import route.
Air India, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines all carry cats into Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Bengaluru (BLR), Chennai (MAA), and other international airports, usually as accompanied baggage or in the hold. Most carriers restrict brachycephalic (flat-faced) cats — Persian, Himalayan, Burmese, and Exotic Shorthair — especially in the hold during hot months, and some ban them entirely on certain routes. India itself does not ban any cat breed, but check your airline's snub-nose policy and the seasonal heat embargo (often May–September for hold transport) before booking.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to India.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Official veterinary health certificate
  • Import permit issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India
  • Microchip certificate
  • Owner's passport copy
  • Flight itinerary

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only; verify locally. Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, import permit fee ~$20–50. No FAVN titer test is required for free-tier origins. Confirm current prices with a local vet and DAHD.

Ferrets are not listed as prohibited pets under India's Foreign Trade Policy (2015-2020, extended), but import is subject to DAHD veterinary clearance. Apply for the import permit at least 30 days before travel. Rabies vaccination must be given at least 21 days before travel. No quarantine for free-tier origins if all documents are in order.

AQCS India

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Official veterinary health certificate
  • Import permit issued by DAHD
  • Microchip certificate
  • Owner's passport copy
  • Flight itinerary

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only; verify locally. Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, import permit fee ~$20–50. No FAVN titer test is required for low-risk origins. Confirm current prices with a local vet and DAHD.

Same requirements as free-tier origins. India does not differentiate between low-risk and free origins for ferrets; both require an import permit and health certificate. No quarantine if documents are complete.

AQCS India

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • FAVN rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml)
  • Official veterinary health certificate
  • Import permit issued by DAHD
  • Microchip certificate
  • Owner's passport copy
  • Flight itinerary

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only; verify locally. Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, FAVN titer test ~$100–250, import permit fee ~$20–50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and DAHD.

High-risk origins require a rabies titer test (FAVN) with a 90-day wait before travel. No quarantine on arrival if all documents are valid, but the animal may be subject to inspection. Ferrets from high-risk countries may face additional scrutiny; check with DAHD for current requirements.

AQCS India

Frequently asked questions

Yes, but ferrets are not explicitly listed in India's pet import rules, which primarily cover dogs and cats. You will need an import permit from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), a rabies vaccination certificate, and an official health certificate. Ferrets are not banned, but they are subject to the same general veterinary import conditions. Confirm with DAHD before travel.
India does not specify a maximum number for ferrets, but non-commercial pet imports are generally limited to a small number (typically up to 2-3 pets per passenger) before commercial livestock import rules apply. For ferrets, as they are not standard pets, you should apply for an import permit and clarify the allowed quantity with DAHD.
No. India does not exempt emotional support or service animals from import requirements. All ferrets, regardless of role, must meet the same rabies vaccination, health certificate, and import permit rules. Airlines may also have their own policies, but the government requirements remain unchanged.
It depends on the origin country. If your ferret is coming from a high-risk rabies country (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa), a FAVN rabies titer test showing at least 0.5 IU/ml is required, with a 90-day wait before travel. For low-risk or free origins (e.g., USA, UK, EU), no titer test is required.
Apply at least 30 days before travel. The DAHD import permit is typically issued within 2-3 weeks, but processing times can vary. You must have the permit before the ferret arrives. The permit is usually valid for a specific period, often 30-60 days, so time your application accordingly.
No quarantine is required if all import documents (permit, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and titer test if applicable) are complete and valid. However, if documents are missing or the animal shows signs of illness, Indian authorities may place it in quarantine at your expense. Always carry originals.
The ferret must be at least 3 months (12 weeks) old and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel. This is consistent with general pet import rules. Younger ferrets are not permitted.

Good to know

Apply for the DAHD import permit through the online portal (https://dahd.gov.in) at least 30 days before travel. Pets must arrive at an authorised international airport with a quarantine facility: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, or Thiruvananthapuram. A maximum of two pets per passenger is allowed under non-commercial rules; three or more triggers commercial import conditions. Airlines may have their own breed or crating restrictions — check with the carrier.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to India, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).

For guidance only. Pet import rules change without notice and a wrong step can mean quarantine or a refused entry for your animal — always confirm current requirements with India's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.