What is a Pet Passport?
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill the British Virgin Islands pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering this country. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter the British Virgin Islands will include an import permit, proof of a microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test, parasite treatments and an export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.
Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements
These rules apply to the transport of domestic dogs and cats including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS below.
Quarantine for Pets Entering the British Virgin Islands
There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering the British Virgin Islands if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.
British Virgin Islands Pet Import Requirements
All steps required to conform to British Virgin Islands pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.
Step 1: Country Classifications
The first step to importing a pet dog or cat to the British Virgin Islands is to identify the classification of the country that your pet is entering the islands from.
The British Virgin Islands does not recognize any countries as rabies-free. Dogs and cats from all countries are subject to current rabies vaccination according to British Virgin Island regulations. The following countries are classified as rabies-controlled:
Antigua, Australia, Barbados, Dominica, Jamaica, Montserrat, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, St. Kitts, Anguilla, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the United Kingdom.
Dogs or cats must have been born in or continuously lived in one of these countries for a minimum of 6 months prior to traveling to the British Virgin Islands to qualify for this category.
Pet owners should identify the classification of their country of origin before reviewing import regulations for the British Virgin Islands.
Step 2: Pet Microchip
The second step to importing a dog, cat, or ferret to the British Virgin Islands is to have your pet identified with a non-encrypted, 15-digit pet microchip that is compliant with ISO 11784 or Annex A of ISO 11785. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO-compliant, you can either bring your own microchip scanner.
A licensed veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturer’s or government database in your country.
Step 3: Vaccinations
Unless your dog or cat is entering the British Virgin Islands from a country considered to be rabies-controlled (see step 1), after it is microchipped, it must have been vaccinated for rabies twice. The first rabies vaccination must occur after three months of age, and the second vaccination must occur at least six months after the first one. Pets must enter the British Virgin Islands within 12 months of the second vaccination.
If your dog or cat is currently vaccinated for rabies but not microchipped, it will need to be re-vaccinated according to instructions above after a microchip is implanted. Do not count the day of the veterinary visit in the wait time.
Other Vaccinations
Dogs entering the British Virgin Islands from any country must be vaccinated against canine parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis/adenovirus, parainfluenza, leptospirosis, and Lyme disease. Cats entering the British Virgin Islands from any country must be vaccinated against feline calicivirus, panleukopenia, feline rhinotracheitis, and feline leukemia.
Step 4: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It must be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination. Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) tests are recommended, as they are accepted by every country that requires this test.
Unless your pet is entering the British Virgin Islands from a country considered to be rabies-controlled (see step 1), your pet will need a rabies titer test no sooner than 30 days after the second rabies vaccination. Samples must be processed at approved laboratories.
Step 5: Parasite Treatments
A treatment for internal and external parasites is required for cats and dogs shortly prior to entering the British Virgin Islands from all countries.
Step 6: Health Certificate
Every country worldwide requires an original health certificate in their pet import regulations, and the British Virgin Islands are no exception. The health certificate must clearly identify your pet, including its microchip number and species.
After the vaccinations and titer test are completed, a licensed veterinarian in the origination country must then complete the pet health certificate for the British Virgin Islands shortly prior to travel. After issuance, the certificate must be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in the country of origin responsible for the import and export of live animals.
For pets entering from rabies-controlled countries (step 1), health certificates must contain a statement that your dog or cat has been in your country of origin for six months prior to export and that there have been no incidents of rabies among un-quarantined animals in your country for the past 24 months.
No cat or dog will be permitted entry to the British Virgin Islands from countries or areas under quarantine restrictions without prior permission from the Chief Agricultural Officer.
Step 7: Import Permit
An import permit must be obtained for all cats, dogs, and other animals entering the British Virgin Islands from countries other than rabies-controlled countries (step 1).
Other information
Importing Puppies and Kittens to the British Virgin Islands
Young animals from rabies-controlled countries (see step #7) not subjected to vaccination and serology are allowed entry to the British Virgin Islands under special quarantine arrangements.
Related: Transporting a puppy
Breeds Banned by the British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are responsible for their pet’s behavior.
Entering the British Virgin Islands with a Pet
All pets can enter the British Virgin Islands at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Tortola. Pets can arrive in the cabin, as checked baggage, or as air cargo.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA compliant?
Pets can enter the British Virgin Islands by sea at West End, St. Thomas Bay, Gun Creek, or Great Harbor.
The Veterinary Division must be given at least 24 hours notice of the confirmed arrival date, time, airline or vessel, and port of entry. This will facilitate unnecessary delays and avoid detention of animal(s) for veterinary clearance at the port of entry.
All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Austria. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at importer expense.
Importing Other Pet Animals to the British Virgin Islands
Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, and mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to the requirements of rabies vaccination but will have to meet other requirements and must have an import permit and a health certificate to enter the British Virgin Islands. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat, and it is even more important if it is a turtle or parrot. You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate in and enforce CITES regulations.
Related: Search the CITES database
Related: Learn more about CITES
Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements and Forms for the British Virgin Islands?
Visit PetTravelStore.com to obtain further detail on permits, costs, tests and pet import regulations for the British Virgin Islands at minimal cost. They all contribute to the British Virgin Islands pet passport.
Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to the British Virgin Islands?
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Please note that the accuracy of comments made by Facebook users other than Pet Travel has not been verified, and we do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.
Current Information
not predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to:
- make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense or
- return your pet to the country of origin, or
- euthanize your pet.
We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following British Virgin Islands pet import requirements.
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