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Bringing Your Pet to India: Visa & Documentation Requirements

Updated on Nov 04, 2025 | Online Indian Visa

Owning a pet is akin to having a family member. Wherever you go, the pet accompanies you, and the animal becomes your best friend. But what if you're a pet parent, and need to go to India? Nobody dare suggest keeping him at a crèche! So, is there any option?

While all you have to do is simply get the Indian visa, what document does your furry friend need? No worries! We will make sure you have a paw-some experience! You will be visiting India to explore the country, and your pet will not be left behind!

The dog or cat can accompany you wherever you go. (Why only dogs and cats? Coming to that later!) India has several pet-friendly hotels (Della Adventure and Resorts in Lonavala, Grape County in Nashik, Tree of Life Resort & Spa in Jaipur, etc.), restaurants and cafes (Gunpowder in Goa, Green Theory in Bengaluru, The Love Room in Kolkata, etc). So, there is no dearth of where you can stay with your pet or the cafes where you are taking him after an evening stroll! It will be the trip of your life!

Traveling to a foreign country requires optimal safety measures for your pet dog or cat. But we will get to that later. First, let us get your requirements of traveling to India out of the way.

Applying for a Visa to Travel to India from Canada

You have to acquire a visa to come to India. And the easiest way to do that is to come to our online portal and apply for the Tourist eVisa to India for Canadian citizens. But as you prepare, make sure that your passport is valid for the next 6 months from the date of your exit from the destination country and that you have the necessary documents collected in a place. This will ensure that you are done with the visa application in just about a few minutes.

Get the Indian visa by following a simple procedure.

  • Complete the online application form
  • Scan your passport-sized photograph and upload it
  • Pay the application fee
  • Wait to receive the visa approval sent to your email ID

It is better that you carry a printed copy of the eVisa in person with you.

But exceptions to the application for the Tourist eVisa to India for Canadian citizens pertains to Canadians who are/were in the defense, military, police, security, or have a diplomatic passport. These people wanting to bring their pet to India have to apply for a paper visa from the nearest Embassy.

All done with the visa application? Now is the time to focus on your four-legged friend!

Bringing Your Pet to India from Canada for a Trip: The Essentials

You are coming to India from Canada via flight. Can your pet accompany you like any other co-passenger? No. There are several documents and proceedings that you need to go through before bringing the dog or cat to India.

First and foremost, India does not recognize anything other than dogs or cats as pets. Any other animal or species, like reptiles or birds, has to be brought through air cargo, but only if you have a DGFT license* along with an import export code. Ensure that the animal you are trying to bring in is not considered an endangered animal by the Indian Government.

*DGFT License: Issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, this license regulates the import of dogs, cats, and other species, subject to examination.

So, Is There a Pet Passport that I Have to Issue?

There is no official ‘pet passport’ in India, per se. But the documents you are collecting for the dog or cat’s traveling purpose can be categorized under the pet passport. This is essential so that your furry friend does not have to go through a long quarantine period and can go exploring places with you without any wait-time.

The passport will have the following:

  • The animal’s name, breed, date of birth, etc.
  • The vet’s details
  • Vaccination details (explaining it later)
  • Microchip details
  • Health certificate
  • Results for rabies antibody titer test
  • Travel insurance
  • A picture (optional)

What Are the Vaccinations My Pet Has to Remain Updated with?

The Indian Immigration Department requires your dog to be vaccinated against rabies at least 31 days prior to your date of landing in the country. The cats have to go through a COVID-19 test and also proof that they have not come in contact with a COVID-infected person or animal in the last 2 weeks.

Canines need to have mandatory vaccinations against:

  • Leishmaniasis
  • Distemper
  • Leptospirosis
  • Parvovirus

Felines must be vaccinated against:

  • Feline Panleukopenia
  • Feline Enteritis
  • Feline Calcivirus

Finally, remember to carry a health certificate of your pet given by the vet. The certificate has to be endorsed by the CFIA, or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (designed to protect Canada’s food, animals, and plants).

I Want to Sign Up for a Special Tour Package with My Pet. What Do I Do?

India is nothing short of a tourist hotspot and is an incredibly tourist-friendly country. You and your pet are going to have the best time ever if you plan on attending the Pet Fed! What’s that, you ask? It is India’s largest pet festival, where every pet dog is the showstopper. Cat parents, no need to feel left out! You can bring your feline friends too!

You can do a lot with your canine or feline friend. However, Pet Fed is held in different places around the year, so align your travel date and destination in India accordingly.

Here are a few things you must do:

  • Microchip the dog or cat with a non-encrypted 15-digit ISO-certified microchip.
  • Keep the vaccination documents and the certificate endorsed by CFIA all arranged.
  • Just as you have the Tourist eVisa for exploring the country around, your pet needs an import license issued by the DGFT.
  • Pets entering the country with owners have to have a NOC from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Centre in India.
  • Pets not entering the country with their owners by side must do so within 30 days of the owner’s arrival to the country.
  • Bringing your pet as accompanied baggage means that you have to land at any of the following international airports - Mumbai, Kolkata, New Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, or Chennai. And if coming as unaccompanied cargo, the pets need to be brought in through either Mumbai or New Delhi airport. Go through the pet policy of the airlines.

Note: Those with puppies and kittens consider waiting to take your trip until at least they turn 3 months old. Get their rabies vaccines up to date at least a month before the date of travel.

Also, do not bring your pet to India for breeding purposes or to make them a part of any pet show.

Creatures such as reptiles, rodents, or invertebrates fall under the category of cargo, and you need to show an additional license issued by DGFT for bringing them to India.

If your pet is a support animal, make sure you carry the certification with you.

Got all the details? You are now ready to bring your dog or cat to India. Whether you want to be a part of Pet Fed or explore the beauty of Jaipur and Rishikesh or visit a friend in Bangalore or Mumbai, your pet is going to have a great time with you. While you ensure getting the Indian visa in advance, do not forget to get the pet’s documents ready as well prior to taking your flight.

All Set for Your Trip to India with Your Fur Friend?

What a trip this is going to be! Just be mindful of the documents you have to keep ready to import your pet to the country. Have the same cautious attitude for your visa application as well. Even though the online procedure is quite easy, making a silly mistake can get the application canceled. Check out the requirements for the application for eVisa to India for Canadian citizens and proceed accordingly.

With everything done and dusted, there is only one thing left to do - click lots of pictures and soak in the vibrant Indian culture with your furry friend by your side at every step!

And if you still have any Tourist eVisa application queries, contact us!

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