Moving to Singapore with pets is a common challenge for expats, and Singapore is genuinely one of the most pet-friendly cities in Asia: green spaces, pet cafes, groomers on every block, and a growing culture of treating pets as family members.
But getting your dog or cat into Singapore is one of the more bureaucratic pet relocation processes in the region. Miss a step, or do one step in the wrong order, and your pet's travel date can shift back by months.
This expat guide covers everything you need to know about relocating to Singapore with your dog or cat: what to do, how early to start, what the process actually feels like, and where things tend to go wrong.
Start Here: How Much Time Do You Have?
The timeline is the first thing to nail down, because everything else flows from it.
| Origin country | Minimum lead time |
|---|---|
| Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland (Schedule I) | 1–2 months |
| USA, Canada, Japan, most of Western Europe (Schedule II) | 4–6 months minimum |
| Southeast Asia, South Asia, most of the rest of the world (Schedule III) | 6+ months, plus 30-day quarantine on arrival |
If you're coming from a Schedule II country (and most Western expats are), start the process at least 5 months before your intended arrival date in Singapore. The 90-day waiting period after the titre test is non-negotiable.
If you've been assigned to Singapore on short notice and can't make those timelines work, contact an AVS-recognised pet import agent as soon as possible to understand your options. There may be temporary solutions (a trusted person staying with your pet in the origin country while you go ahead) but you need expert guidance for your specific situation.
Step One: Check Whether Your Pet Can Enter Singapore
Before anything else, confirm two things:
1. Is your breed permitted?
Singapore prohibits import of certain breeds entirely:
- All Pit Bull types (American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog)
- Akita, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Boerboel, Perro de Presa Canario
- Any crossbreed of the above
There are no exceptions, no exemptions for well-behaved dogs, and no workarounds. If your pet is one of these breeds, they cannot enter Singapore as a pet.
Brachycephalic breeds such as French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, and Persian cats are permitted in Singapore, but airlines impose their own restrictions. Most carriers require a fitness certificate from your vet and some airlines won't take them at all. Sort this out with your airline early, before you've committed to a travel date.
2. Does Singapore classify your origin country as Schedule I, II, or III?
Your schedule is determined by where your pet currently lives (the country you're exporting from), not your nationality or your pet's country of origin.
- Schedule I: Australia, New Zealand, UK, Republic of Ireland. Fastest and simplest process.
- Schedule II: USA, Canada, Japan, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Hong Kong SAR, and other Western countries. Requires a titre test and 90-day wait.
- Schedule III: All other countries. Mandatory 30-day quarantine at Singapore's Animal Quarantine Centre on arrival.
Confirm your country's classification at avs.nparks.gov.sg.
The Process: What You Need to Do and When
6–12 months before your Singapore arrival
Microchip your pet with an ISO 11784/11785-compliant 15-digit chip. The microchip must be implanted before any rabies vaccination is recorded against your pet.
This step is often already done, but verify your chip is ISO-compatible. Non-standard chips (common in older US pets with 10-digit chips) may require you to carry a reader.
5–6 months before arrival (Schedule II)
Rabies vaccination after microchip.
Book the titre test at an AVS-approved laboratory for your route. Blood can be sampled at least 28 days after vaccination.
The approved lab list is in the Schedule II veterinary conditions document on the NParks/AVS website. Using an unapproved lab means the result won't count. This is the most common and most costly mistake expats make.
The 90-day waiting period starts from the date blood is sampled, not when results arrive.
3–4 months before arrival
The 90-day wait is running. Use this time to:
- Appoint your AVS-recognised CAPQ agent: from April 2026, this is mandatory. Your agent will handle the import licence application, documentation review, and CAPQ clearance on arrival day.
- Research your airline's pet policy: size limits, breed restrictions, crate requirements, and whether your pet travels in-cabin or as cargo on your specific route.
3 weeks (21 business days) before arrival
Apply for the AVS import licence via the PALS portal (pals.avs.gov.sg), through your agent. The licence fee is S$50 per consignment for personal imports. Processing takes approximately 21 business days.
If home quarantine may apply (see below), submit your home quarantine application at least 4 weeks before arrival.
Within 7 days of travel
Veterinary health certificate from a government-approved vet. This is a tighter window than most people expect: 7 days, not 2 weeks. Book this appointment only once your travel date is confirmed.
What Happens When Your Pet Arrives
From 1 April 2026, you cannot be present at CAPQ (the Centre for Animal & Pharmaceutical Quality at Changi Airport). Only your AVS-recognised agent can access the Changi Airfreight Centre for the clearance process.
Your agent will:
- Receive your pet off the aircraft
- Handle CAPQ document inspection and microchip scan
- Transfer your pet to a rigid IATA-compliant crate if they flew in a soft carrier
- Arrange transport to your home (or to the Animal Quarantine Centre if required)
CAPQ operating hours from April 2026 are Monday–Tuesday 9am–5pm and Wednesday–Friday 9am–8pm (closed 1–2pm daily). Schedule your flight arrival accordingly.
Will My Pet Need to Quarantine?
Schedule I (Australia, NZ, UK, Ireland): No quarantine in standard cases, assuming all documentation is correct.
Schedule II (USA, Japan, Europe, etc.): Usually no quarantine, but a 10-day home quarantine is triggered if:
- Your pet arrives in Singapore more than 5 days after you entered
- Your pet has been in your care for less than 6 months (e.g. you recently adopted them before the move)
If home quarantine applies, you must apply for approval at least 4 weeks before arrival. AVS monitors compliance with a smart collar tag. Cost: S$29 per animal per day (S$290 for the 10-day period), paid upfront.
Schedule III (Southeast Asia, South Asia, most others): Mandatory 30-day quarantine at the Animal Quarantine Centre (AQC). Cost: S$26–S$35 per animal per day, plus S$75 transport from CAPQ.
If you've been living in Bangkok or Mumbai or Kuala Lumpur and are now moving to Singapore, factor the 30-day quarantine into both your timeline and budget.
What It Costs
A rough guide for the main cost categories:
| Cost Item | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| AVS import licence | S$50 (personal) |
| Titre test (lab + vet draw) | S$200–S$600 (Schedule II/III only) |
| Health certificate | S$50–S$200 |
| Pet agent fee | From S$999 |
| AQC quarantine (30 days, air-con) | S$1,050 + S$75 transport (Schedule III) |
| Airline pet transport fee | S$100–S$500+ |
For a detailed breakdown by scenario, see our Singapore pet import cost guide.
Common Mistakes Expats Make
Starting too late. The most common and most painful mistake. If you're on Schedule II, five months minimum. Put the microchip appointment in your calendar the day your relocation is confirmed.
Using the wrong titre test lab. The approved lab list is route-specific. A lab used by a colleague coming from Germany may not be approved for imports from the US. Always verify with AVS or your agent before sending the blood sample.
Not checking the home quarantine triggers. If your relocation timeline means your pet arrives after you (common for expats who move ahead for work), the 10-day home quarantine is likely. Apply for it early. AVS needs 4 weeks' notice.
Forgetting to check the breed list. Obvious once you've checked, but breeders in Singapore will remind you that people have tried to bring Pit Bulls and Akitas and been refused at the border. Do this before any other step.
Booking the health cert too early. The health certificate is only valid for 7 days from issue. Book it right before travel, not before you're sure of your date.
Life with Pets in Singapore
Once your pet is through the process, you're in for a genuinely good experience. Singapore has:
- Pet-friendly HDB estate areas and many condos that allow pets (check your lease or management rules)
- A large network of vets, including 24-hour emergency clinics
- Groomers, pet cafes, and dog-friendly beaches
- Supervised off-leash areas in designated parks
Cats can be kept in HDB flats (one per flat under current rules). Dogs in HDB are subject to size and breed restrictions. Check the HDB pet ownership rules before assuming your building is suitable.
Frequently Asked Questions
I've been given 3 months' notice to relocate. Can I still bring my pet? Possibly, but it depends on your origin country. If you're Schedule I, 3 months is manageable. If you're Schedule II, the 90-day titre test wait alone fills almost that window, so you'd need to start immediately and have everything go smoothly. Talk to a CAPQ agent right away to map out what's achievable.
Can my pet come with me on the same flight? Yes, but CAPQ clearance and owner arrival are now separate processes from April 2026. You arrive through the passenger terminal; your pet goes through CAPQ with your agent. If your pet arrives more than 5 days after you, home quarantine is triggered.
I live in Southeast Asia. Is the 30-day quarantine definitely required? For Schedule III countries, yes. The 30-day quarantine at the AQC is mandatory under current AVS rules. There is no waiver process. This applies to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, and most other non-Schedule-I/II countries.
What if my pet needs medical attention during quarantine? The AQC has veterinary oversight. If your pet falls ill during the quarantine period, they receive veterinary care, though costs are typically charged to the owner. Your CAPQ agent can advise on this.
Relocating to Singapore with your pet? Start with a free import checklist or contact our team for a fixed-price quote from our AVS-recognised CAPQ agents.
Source: Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS). Confirm current requirements before starting your process.