Pet travel route
Taking a dog or cat from Singapore → Canada
What the official rules ask for on this route, for a family pet travelling with its owner. Enter your travel date and your pet’s details to turn it into a dated checklist.
How early to start
4 days
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet (the least time the official waiting periods allow)
4 days
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Counted only from the officially fixed waiting periods. Vet, lab and paperwork appointment times are on top, so start earlier.
Which rules apply to you
Singapore is in the group “Not on CFIA's rabies-free list” in Bringing a pet dog or cat into Canada’s published list.See every group
What your dog needs
Dogs
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination certificate
Bring a valid rabies vaccination certificate (in English or French, signed by a licensed vet, showing the vaccine and how long it protects). CFIA doesn't list a waiting period after vaccination.
Details and the official words
If the certificate doesn't state the duration of immunity, Canada treats it as valid for 1 year from the vaccination date.
If this is missed: The owner must have the pet vaccinated against rabies within a set time, at their own expense, and show the record to a CFIA office.
“a valid rabies vaccination certificate”
“a valid rabies vaccination certificate or a valid Rabies Country-Freedom Certificate”
“specify the duration of immunity (otherwise, it will be considered valid for 1 year from the date of vaccination)”
“state that the animal has been in the exporting country since birth or for at least 6 months immediately preceding the date of export to Canada”
On arrival
Healthy and transported humanely
Your dog must appear healthy on arrival and travel in line with Canada's humane transportation requirements.
Details and the official words
“the dog appears healthy and meets humane transportation requirements”
Permit
AVS export licence (GoBusiness)
Every pet leaving Singapore needs an export licence. Apply on the GoBusiness Licensing Portal within 90 days before you leave: it is valid for 90 days from issue. It costs S$50 and is issued two working days after you submit all documents (S$100 for the one-working-day express service).
Details and the official words
“This licence is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.”
“Licence issuance will take place two working days after submission of all completed documents.”
Only if the destination asks for it
On arrival · only if the destination asks
Pre-export inspection (only if the destination requires it)
If the destination makes a pre-export inspection a condition of entry, request an appointment through NParks eServices at least five days before departure. The inspection is at the Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station during its opening hours. Turning up without an appointment means an inspection fee.
Details and the official words
“at least five days before the animal’s departure”
Good to know
- AVS tells you to check the destination country's import requirements first: some countries ask for vaccinations, lab tests or a vet health certificate before your pet can enter.
- Once your dog has left Singapore, cancel its dog licence in PALS.
- AVS fees: export licence S$50 (normal, issued 2 working days after complete documents) or S$100 (express, 1 working day); vet certificate endorsement S$23 (normal) or S$46 (express, not available for endorsing a destination's own template).
- On the day, bring your pet to the ground handling agent (SATS Gateway or dnata at Changi) with a copy of the AVS export licence, the original vet health certificate and any other documents the destination needs.
What your cat needs
Cats
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination certificate
Bring a valid rabies vaccination certificate (in English or French, signed by a licensed vet, showing the vaccine and how long it protects). CFIA doesn't list a waiting period after vaccination.
Details and the official words
If the certificate doesn't state the duration of immunity, Canada treats it as valid for 1 year from the vaccination date.
If this is missed: The owner must have the pet vaccinated against rabies within a set time, at their own expense, and show the record to a CFIA office.
“a valid rabies vaccination certificate”
“a valid rabies vaccination certificate or a valid Rabies Country-Freedom Certificate”
“specify the duration of immunity (otherwise, it will be considered valid for 1 year from the date of vaccination)”
“state that the animal has been in the exporting country since birth or for at least 6 months immediately preceding the date of export to Canada”
Permit
AVS export licence (GoBusiness)
Every pet leaving Singapore needs an export licence. Apply on the GoBusiness Licensing Portal within 90 days before you leave: it is valid for 90 days from issue. It costs S$50 and is issued two working days after you submit all documents (S$100 for the one-working-day express service).
Details and the official words
“This licence is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.”
“Licence issuance will take place two working days after submission of all completed documents.”
Only if the destination asks for it
On arrival · only if the destination asks
Pre-export inspection (only if the destination requires it)
If the destination makes a pre-export inspection a condition of entry, request an appointment through NParks eServices at least five days before departure. The inspection is at the Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station during its opening hours. Turning up without an appointment means an inspection fee.
Details and the official words
“at least five days before the animal’s departure”
Good to know
- AVS tells you to check the destination country's import requirements first: some countries ask for vaccinations, lab tests or a vet health certificate before your pet can enter.
- AVS fees: export licence S$50 (normal, issued 2 working days after complete documents) or S$100 (express, 1 working day); vet certificate endorsement S$23 (normal) or S$46 (express, not available for endorsing a destination's own template).
- On the day, bring your pet to the ground handling agent (SATS Gateway or dnata at Changi) with a copy of the AVS export licence, the original vet health certificate and any other documents the destination needs.
Common questions
Does my dog need a rabies blood test to go from Singapore to Canada?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for a rabies blood test.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog into Canada?
Yes: Every pet leaving Singapore needs an export licence.
Will my dog be quarantined in Canada?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
Does my dog need a microchip?
The official rules we have verified for this route don't list a microchip requirement.