Pet travel from Dubai to IndiaDocuments & vet certificate
Planning pet travel from Dubai to India? This page gives the India pet import requirements from the UAE for dogs and cats, the steps, and our prices. Our vets in JVC do the fit to fly certificate (the dog and cat travel certificate), the pet passport and the blood tests, and guide you on the MOCCAE pet export certificate. Advance No Objection Certificate (NOC) at least 7 working days before travel. No titre test. Owner eligibility rules apply.
Import permitLast updated
Under the baggage rules you need proof of 2 years' stay abroad and a transfer of residence to India. If not, a DGFT licence is necessary. Commercial imports of dogs are not permitted.
India pet import requirements from the UAE
The rules for a pet dog or cat that travels from the UAE to India, in plain words. When the official rules are not clear, we say so: our vet confirms that point at your first visit.
Import permitYes
Advance No Objection Certificate (NOC) on the ATITHI 2.0 portal. You apply with your own passport at least 7 working days before you leave. AQCS issues it in about 1 working day. Airlines do not carry the pet without it. You get the final NOC at the port of entry.
MicrochipYes
A microchip certificate is in the document list.
Rabies vaccineYes
Dogs (3 months or older) and cats: more than 1 month and less than 12 months before you leave.
Rabies titre test (blood test)No
No. It is not in the AQCS rules.
Other vaccines, tests and treatmentsYes
Other vaccines go on the official health certificate. The certificate states that your pet is free from rabies, distemper, parvovirus and leptospirosis (dogs) or panleukopenia (cats). You sign a declaration: the pet is not for trade.
QuarantineNo
Only if your pet is not fit on arrival: 15 days at AQCS.
Dog breedsNo
None found.
Health certificateYes
Official health certificate from the UAE in the AQCS format (Annexure 1.1.1).
When the certificate must be issued: our vet confirms this at your first visit.
Step-by-step timeline: Dubai to India
- 1
First visit
Our vet checks the microchip and the rabies vaccine. The vaccine must be more than 1 month and less than 12 months before you leave.
- 2
At least 7 working days before travel
You apply for the No Objection Certificate (NOC) on the ATITHI 2.0 portal with your own passport. AQCS issues it in about 1 working day.
- 3
Before travel
We examine your pet and issue the clinic certificate for the official health certificate in the AQCS format. You apply for the MOCCAE export certificate.
- 4
On arrival
You get the final NOC at the port of entry.
Pet relocation Dubai to India: what Pet Avenue does
- We check your pet's microchip, vaccines and documents against the rules for India.
- A vet examines your pet and issues the clinic health certificate (fit to travel) in the correct time window.
- We tell you which documents the import permit needs. You (or your agent) apply for the permit.
- We guide you on the UAE export certificate. You apply for it yourself on the MOCCAE website.
We do the vet part of your pet's move. Your airline or a pet relocation company books the flight or the cargo.
Dogs and cats: the differences
- Dogs must be 3 months or older at the rabies vaccine.
- The certificate states other diseases: distemper, parvovirus and leptospirosis for dogs, and panleukopenia for cats.
- Commercial imports of dogs are not permitted.
Cost estimate: pet travel documents for India
Our clinic items only, in AED incl. VAT, for 1, 2 or 3 pets. Fees of the government, the airline and India are not included.
| Clinic item | 1 pet | 2 pets | 3 pets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fit-to-travel examination and health certificate | AED 278 | AED 556 | AED 834 |
| Total (incl. VAT) | AED 278 | AED 556 | AED 834 |
Only if necessary
- Microchip (ISO)If your pet has no ISO microchip.
- AED 157.50 per pet
- Rabies vaccineIf the vaccine is not valid for travel. The annual vaccine package (consultation, rabies and core vaccine) is AED 255.
- Our vet tells you the price
- New pet passportIf your pet has no passport.
- AED 100 per pet
Not included in our prices
- The MOCCAE export certificate fee: AED 100 for up to 2 pets, valid 30 days. You apply and pay on the MOCCAE website. We guide you.
- Airline, cargo and pet relocation costs.
- The import permit and the fees of the destination country.
- Quarantine costs in the destination country, if quarantine applies.
Earliest travel
About 1 to 2 weeks (the NOC). About 5 weeks if your pet needs a new rabies vaccine.
The rabies titre test result takes about 2 to 3 weeks. The UAE export certificate from MOCCAE is valid 30 days.
Airline and cargo notes
- Airlines do not carry your pet without the advance NOC.
- Under the baggage rules you need proof of 2 years' stay abroad and a transfer of residence. If not, a DGFT licence is necessary.
- Each airline has its own rules: cabin, checked baggage or cargo, the crate size and the breeds that it accepts. Ask your airline before you book.
- In the UAE summer (about May to September), many airlines limit pets in the hold because of the heat. Plan early.
- Check the rules of each transit country too. A transit can change the documents that your pet needs.
Common mistakes
- The NOC application is less than 7 working days before travel.
- The rabies vaccine is less than 1 month old, or more than 12 months old, on the travel date.
- No proof of the 2-year stay abroad for the baggage rules.
- The MOCCAE export certificate is applied for too late. It is valid 30 days: apply in time for your flight.
- The flight is booked before the permit, the titre result or the waiting time is complete.
Questions: pet travel to India
Does my dog or cat need a rabies titre test to fly from Dubai to India?
No. It is not in the AQCS rules.
Do I need an import permit to take my pet from the UAE to India?
Yes. Advance No Objection Certificate (NOC) on the ATITHI 2.0 portal. You apply with your own passport at least 7 working days before you leave. AQCS issues it in about 1 working day. Airlines do not carry the pet without it. You get the final NOC at the port of entry. Who applies: You (the passenger). Time: At least 7 working days before travel.
Does my pet go into quarantine in India?
No. Only if your pet is not fit on arrival: 15 days at AQCS.
Which health certificate does my pet need for India?
Official health certificate from the UAE in the AQCS format (Annexure 1.1.1). When the certificate must be issued: our vet confirms this at your first visit.
How early should I start to prepare my pet for India?
About 1 to 2 weeks (the NOC). About 5 weeks if your pet needs a new rabies vaccine.
How much do the vet documents for India cost at Pet Avenue?
Our clinic items are AED 278 for 1 pet, incl. VAT. A microchip (AED 157.50), a rabies vaccine or a pet passport (AED 100) are added only if your pet does not have them. Not included: the MOCCAE fee, the airline or cargo cost, the import permit and fees of India, and quarantine.
Who applies for the MOCCAE pet export certificate for India?
You do. At this time, you apply on the MOCCAE website and pay the government fee: AED 100 for up to 2 pets, valid 30 days. MOCCAE can inspect your pet. We give you the clinic documents and guide you.
Official sources
- AQCS India: Guidance for import of dogs(opens in a new tab)
- AQCS India: Import of pets under baggage(opens in a new tab)
- MOCCAE: Animal health certificate for export of live animals(opens in a new tab)
Last checked 27 Oct 2026. Rules can change; our vet confirms everything at your first visit.
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Pet travel to India?
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