Bringing a dog or cat from Ireland to India
Under India's rules, pets from Ireland are in the group “All countries”. A dog from Ireland needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine, an import permit and an official health certificate. There is no quarantine if every rule is met. There is no long waiting period, so a few weeks of preparation is usually enough.
About India: No titer test is needed, but everything hinges on paperwork: before the airline will carry the pet you need an advance No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the AQCS station at your arrival airport. Owners are limited to 2 dogs/cats, and the 2-pet baggage route is tied to Transfer of Residence or re-import; other cases need a DGFT import licence.
All countries Paperwork only
- Titer test
- Not required
- Wait after blood test
- —
- Import permit
- Required
- Quarantine
- None if rules are met
No long wait: Rabies vaccine must be given at least 30 days and no more than 12 months before travel. Indian missions quote this rule; older guidance allows up to 36 months for chick-embryo vaccines.
Step by step
Check eligibility route
Under Baggage Rules, passengers transferring residence after 2+ years abroad, or re-importing their own pet, may bring up to 2 dogs/cats with no DGFT licence. Short visits and other cases need a DGFT import licence (form ANF-2M), which can take about a month.
Microchip and vaccinate
Microchip the pet; the NOC application asks for the number. Give rabies vaccine at least 30 days before travel. Dogs should also be covered for distemper, leptospirosis and related diseases, and cats for distemper/panleukopenia.
Get an official health certificate
Use the DAHD format (Annex 1 for dogs, Annex 2 for cats, OM of 15 July 2020), endorsed by the export country's official veterinary authority. Cats need an exam within 7 days before shipment showing no influenza-like illness.
Apply for advance NOC
Email the AQCS station at your arrival airport (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru or Hyderabad) at least 7 working days before travel. Send the health and vaccination certificates, owner passport and flight details. Airlines will not carry the pet without it.
Clear on arrival
AQCS examines the pet at the airport and issues the final NOC. Customs releases the pet only against that final NOC.
Pets with complete documents are cleared at the airport after a clinical exam; the final NOC is issued 24x7 at the port (DAHD OM, Feb 2025). A pet that fails the exam or shows disease signs is quarantined: USDA/AQCS guidance says 15 days, Indian missions say 30 days to 3 months. A pet that tests positive may be deported or destroyed at the owner's cost.
Good to know
- Cats
- Same documents as dogs. In addition, cats need an exam within 7 days before shipment confirming no influenza-like illness. Owners of cats from avian-influenza-affected countries must sign an undertaking to report any respiratory illness within 14 days of arrival.
- How many pets
- 2 dogs/cats per passenger under Baggage Rules (Transfer of Residence or re-import). More than 2 requires a DAHD sanitary import permit or a DGFT licence.
- Parasite treatment
- Not specified in official sources found
- Arrival
- Airports with AQCS stations: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Kochi is sometimes listed too. Pets usually travel as manifest cargo or excess baggage; check with your airline.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to bring a dog from Ireland to India?
Ireland counts as "All countries" for India. There is no rabies blood test or long wait. Rabies vaccine must be given at least 30 days and no more than 12 months before travel. Indian missions quote this rule; older guidance allows up to 36 months for chick-embryo vaccines. Allow a few weeks for the vet visits and the health certificate.
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from Ireland to India?
No. Pets from Ireland do not need a titer test for India if the other rules are met.
Will my pet be quarantined in India?
Not if every rule is met. Pets with complete documents are cleared at the airport after a clinical exam; the final NOC is issued 24x7 at the port (DAHD OM, Feb 2025). A pet that fails the exam or shows disease signs is quarantined: USDA/AQCS guidance says 15 days, Indian missions say 30 days to 3 months. A pet that tests positive may be deported or destroyed at the owner's cost.
Do I need an import permit?
Yes. India requires an import permit, and you need to apply or notify at least 7 days before arrival.
Are the rules the same for cats?
Same documents as dogs. In addition, cats need an exam within 7 days before shipment confirming no influenza-like illness. Owners of cats from avian-influenza-affected countries must sign an undertaking to report any respiratory illness within 14 days of arrival.
Sources
- DAHD OM (Feb 2025) – Quarantine clearance of pet dog/cat at port of entry
- DAHD – Import of pet cat into India (ILI conditions)
- DAHD OM 12 Mar 2026 – Facilitation of import of pets from Middle East countries
- CBIC Circular 35/2020 – Import of pets (copy on referencer.in, secondary host)
- Consulate General of India, San Francisco – Imports of pet animal
- Embassy of India, Bern – Import of domestic pets
- USDA APHIS – India pet travel (origin-side)
- Delhi High Court quashes dangerous dog breeds circular (LiveLaw, secondary)
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: India pet import rules.