By the WahLiao desk · Last verified 29 September 2026
To bring a dog or cat to Singapore, follow the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) conditions for your country’s rabies-risk category. They can include an ISO microchip, rabies and other vaccinations, a rabies antibody blood test, parasite treatments and quarantine on arrival. Apply first for a licence to keep the pet in Singapore, then for the import licence, both online. Start months ahead: some conditions have waiting periods.
Pets are the part of a move most likely to delay it. The rules are clear and well published, but they run on fixed timelines, and a blood test taken too late can push back the flight by months.
Bringing a pet: quick facts
| Authority | AVS, part of the National Parks Board |
| Conditions depend on | The rabies-risk category of the country your pet is coming from |
| Typical conditions | ISO microchip, rabies and core vaccinations, a rabies antibody blood test, parasite treatments, and possible quarantine |
| Licences | A licence to keep the cat or dog, then an import licence, both applied for online before arrival |
| Before anything else | Check the breed is allowed and your home allows the pet |
| Timeline | Often several months |
The WahLiao Verdict
| Effort | Considerable; plan it like a project. |
| The trap | A rabies blood test taken too late for the required waiting period. |
| Check first | Whether the breed is allowed, and whether your flat or condo allows it. |
| Budget for | Vet fees, the blood test, licences, flights and possibly quarantine. |
| Worth it | For most families. Many people bring pets successfully every year. |
Step 1: Find your country’s category
AVS groups exporting countries and regions by rabies risk, and the conditions differ for each category. The categories can change, so check AVS’s list close to your import date.
Step 2: Check the breed and your home
Some dog breeds cannot be imported or kept in Singapore, and the type of home matters: HDB flats allow only certain dog breeds and set their own rules. Condominiums have their own by-laws. Check both before you plan the move.
Step 3: Prepare the animal
Depending on the category, your pet may need an ISO-standard microchip, a rabies vaccination, a rabies antibody blood test with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml taken within set time windows, core vaccinations, and parasite treatments. It may also need to have lived in the exporting country for a minimum period. Follow the veterinary conditions for your category exactly; the order and timing matter.
Step 4: Apply for the licences
Apply first for a licence to keep your cat or dog in Singapore, then attach it to your application for the import licence. Both are done online through AVS before the animal arrives. Some pets must also book a place at the Animal Quarantine Centre in advance.
Pets: FAQ
How do I bring my dog to Singapore?
Follow AVS’s conditions for your country’s rabies-risk category, apply for a dog licence and then an import licence online, and book quarantine if your category needs it.
Do pets have to be quarantined in Singapore?
It depends on the country they come from. Pets from some categories have no quarantine; others have a set quarantine period on arrival.
Can I keep a dog in an HDB flat?
Only approved breeds, and HDB sets its own rules. Condominiums have their own by-laws.
How long does it take to bring a pet to Singapore?
Often several months, because of the timing rules for vaccinations and the rabies blood test.
Read next
This page belongs to Moving to Singapore. Pets arriving with your household shipment may also need Singapore Customs’ GST relief; see shipping your belongings.
Sources checked 29 September 2026: AVS, importing dogs and cats; AVS, import flowchart for dogs and cats. Veterinary conditions change; AVS’s current pages are the final word. Last updated 29 September 2026.
