Most pet owners applying to bring their pet to Singapore discover the PALS requirement at the wrong moment — after they have already started booking flights, after the vet has begun the preparation timeline, or worse, after the Import Permit application is already underway. PALS is not a formality you complete at the end. It is the foundation the entire process is built on. Without a valid PALS licence, AVS will not process your Import Permit. Without an Import Permit, your pet cannot enter Singapore. The chain is unbreakable — and it starts here.
PALS (Pet Animal Licensing System) is Singapore’s centralised digital platform managed by AVS (Animal & Veterinary Service) for registering all pet dogs and cats in the country. For a complete overview of the Singapore import process, see our Singapore Pet Shipping Guide — this article focuses specifically on the PALS registration steps for foreign owners bringing a pet in for the first time.
What Is PALS — and Why It Comes First
PALS is the government system that records every licensed pet dog and cat in Singapore. It is administered by AVS under the National Parks Board (NParks). The licence is not optional — it is a legal requirement under the Animals and Birds Act.
For foreign owners relocating to Singapore with a pet, the PALS licence must be obtained before applying for the Import Licence (Import Permit). This sequencing trips up the majority of first-time applicants. The Import Permit, which is applied for via GoBusiness, requires your PALS licence number as a mandatory field. There is no workaround. Apply for PALS first. Always.
Two key distinctions to anchor your understanding from the start:
- PALS Licence = your permanent pet registration in Singapore. It does not expire in the same way as a permit — annual, 2-year, or lifetime options are available depending on species and sterilisation status.
- Import Licence (Import Permit) = a one-time travel document valid for 30 days from the date of issue, applied for separately via GoBusiness. This is the permit your pet physically travels on.
Step 1: Complete the Pet Ownership Course (Mandatory Before First Application)
Before submitting your PALS application, you must complete the Pet Ownership Responsible Course. This is an online course provided by AVS and it is completely free. The course covers responsible pet ownership, Singapore’s animal welfare laws, and the obligations that come with a PALS licence.
Access the course at: go.gov.sg/petownershipcourse
The course typically takes under an hour. Upon completion, you receive a certificate — keep this on hand, as AVS may request proof of completion during the application review. This step is only required once, not for each subsequent renewal.
Step 2: Create a PALS Account (Foreign Nationals Use a Separate Pathway)
The PALS portal is at pals.avs.gov.sg. Account creation works differently depending on your residency status:
- Singapore citizens and permanent residents: Log in with SingPass — immediate and straightforward.
- Foreign nationals (including Vietnamese pet owners): You cannot use SingPass. You will need to create a PALS account directly on the platform using your passport details and a valid contact email. This pathway is less intuitive and requires careful attention to the form fields — Daisy Pet routinely assists clients with this step.
Once your account is created and verified, you can begin the pet registration application.
Step 3: Submit Your PALS Application — Required Documents
When you submit your PALS application as a foreign owner importing a pet, the following information and documents are required:
- Pet details: Name, species, breed, date of birth, sex, colour/markings, microchip number.
- Sterilisation status: Whether your pet is sterilised — this directly affects the licence fee (see fee table below).
- Import Permit reference: You will need to upload your Import Permit (from GoBusiness) when registering a pet being imported from overseas. Note: This creates a sequencing challenge — see the note below.
- Owner identification: Passport number and current residential address in Singapore.
The Sequencing Loop: PALS Before Import Permit, Yet Import Permit Required for PALS
AVS’s PALS system requires an Import Permit to be uploaded when registering an imported pet. But the Import Permit application on GoBusiness requires the PALS licence number. This appears circular — and it causes real confusion for first-time applicants.
The correct resolution: Submit your PALS application first, without the Import Permit attached, and note in the free-text field that the Import Permit is pending. AVS will issue a provisional PALS approval or reference number that you can then use in the GoBusiness Import Permit application. Once the Import Permit is issued, return to PALS and upload it to complete your record. Daisy Pet navigates this loop on behalf of clients as standard procedure.
Step 4: Wait for AVS Approval
After submission, AVS reviews your PALS application. Processing time is typically 5–10 working days for standard cases. For Specified Dogs (see below), additional documentation is required before approval is granted.
If AVS requires clarification or additional documents, your application status will change to “Pending Re-Submission.” You must respond and resubmit within the indicated timeframe or the application may lapse.
Once approved, you will receive your PALS licence number by email. Record this number immediately — it is required for your Import Permit application and for all future AVS correspondence regarding your pet.
Step 5: Pay Within 2 Weeks of Approval
PALS approval does not mean your licence is active. You must complete payment within 2 weeks of receiving the approval notice. If payment is not received within this window, the approval is automatically cancelled and you must resubmit the entire application.
Accepted payment methods:
- PayPal
- Visa / Mastercard
- GIRO (10% discount applied automatically)
- AXS terminals
Cash and cheques are not accepted under any circumstances.
PALS Fee Schedule (Effective 1 April 2026 — DOGCAT 83-3 Attachment-1)
PALS licence fees vary by species, sterilisation status, and the number of animals registered at the same address. The fees below are current as of 1 April 2026:
| Pet Category | 1 Year | 2 Years | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog — sterilised (pets 1–3 at same address) | SGD 15 | SGD 25 | SGD 35 |
| Dog — unsterilised (pets 1–3 at same address) | SGD 90 | SGD 165 | — |
| Dog — 4th pet and above at same address | SGD 180 | SGD 325 | SGD 460 |
| Cat — sterilised | — | — | FREE (Lifetime) |
| Cat — unsterilised | Free until 31 August 2026 (temporary exemption) | ||
The most impactful line in this table: sterilised cats receive a free lifetime PALS licence. This is a deliberate government policy to encourage responsible cat ownership and reduce stray populations. If your cat is already sterilised when you arrive in Singapore, your PALS licence costs nothing — ever.
For dogs, the sterilisation status has a dramatic effect on cost. An unsterilised dog costs SGD 90/year versus SGD 15/year for a sterilised dog. Over a 10-year lifespan, that difference exceeds SGD 700. Many owners moving to Singapore choose to sterilise before or shortly after arrival for this reason — as well as for the health benefits.
Specified Dogs: Additional Requirements After PALS Approval
Singapore maintains a list of Specified Dog breeds — large or historically guard-purpose breeds — that carry additional post-approval obligations. If your dog falls under this category, PALS approval is only the start. For the complete list and detailed import process for these breeds, see our Specified Dogs Singapore Import Guide.
After PALS is approved, Specified Dog owners must complete the following within strict deadlines:
-
Within 4 weeks of PALS approval:
- Submit a valid third-party liability insurance policy (minimum coverage: SGD 100,000)
- Submit a Banker’s Guarantee — amount depends on breed:
- SGD 2,000 for: Bull Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, German Shepherd Dog, Belgian Malinois
- SGD 5,000 for Mastiff variants
-
Within 10 weeks of PALS approval:
- Submit a Dog Obedience Training Certificate from an AVS-accredited trainer
Missing either deadline after PALS approval is a compliance failure that can result in revocation. These deadlines run from the PALS approval date — not from the date of arrival in Singapore. Plan accordingly.
PALS vs. Import Permit: Understanding the Difference
Confusing PALS with the Import Permit is the single most common mistake foreign owners make. Here is the exact distinction:
- PALS Licence = Permanent registration of your pet as a Singapore resident animal. It is tied to you as the owner and to your Singapore address. It renews annually, bi-annually, or never (lifetime). It does not expire when you travel.
- Import Licence (Import Permit) = A single-trip travel authorisation, valid for exactly 30 days from the date AVS issues it. Your pet must arrive in Singapore within those 30 days. The permit is applied for via GoBusiness and requires your PALS number, QRC (quarantine reservation code from QMS), and supporting health documents.
For the quarantine booking that generates the QRC, read our detailed guide on Booking an AQC Quarantine Slot — this should be done in parallel with your PALS application to avoid delays, as AQC slots fill months in advance.
PALS Registration Checklist for Foreign Owners
- Complete the Pet Ownership Responsible Course at go.gov.sg/petownershipcourse
- Create a PALS account at pals.avs.gov.sg using passport details (not SingPass)
- Prepare pet details: microchip number, breed, DOB, sterilisation certificate if applicable
- Submit PALS application — note Import Permit is pending if not yet issued
- Receive PALS approval and record licence number
- Pay within 2 weeks (GIRO for 10% discount)
- Use PALS number in GoBusiness Import Permit application
- If Specified Dog: arrange insurance, Banker’s Guarantee within 4 weeks of approval
- If Specified Dog: arrange obedience training certificate within 10 weeks of approval
- Book AQC quarantine slot via QMS in parallel — do not wait for PALS to book
How Daisy Pet Supports This Step
PALS registration is a process that looks simple on paper but consistently produces delays for foreign owners — particularly the account setup pathway for non-SingPass users, the sequencing loop between PALS and the Import Permit, and the Specified Dog documentation timeline.
When you work with Daisy Pet, we handle:
- PALS account creation support for foreign nationals
- Application preparation and document compilation
- Navigation of the PALS-Import Permit sequencing loop
- Full Import Permit application via GoBusiness in coordination with your PALS licence
- Specified Dog insurance and Banker’s Guarantee sourcing and deadline management
- AQC slot booking on Day 1 of your case — never delayed until after PALS is resolved
Contact Daisy Pet Transport to begin your Singapore journey. See the complete preparation roadmap in our Singapore Pet Shipping Guide.
Last updated 12 Aug 2026
Compiled by our specialists from the regulations in force on the date above, for reference only. Rules may change after this date. Please verify with the competent authorities or contact us for the most accurate information.
