Three different proofs that all start with the same shot
Every modern destination starts with rabies vaccination. What varies is what additional proof of antibody response the destination wants.
- Vaccination cert only: trust the vet, trust the shot.
- FAVN serology(fluorescent antibody virus neutralisation): a blood test showing the pet’s antibodies neutralise rabies virus in the lab. Result expressed in IU/ml. ≥0.5 IU/ml passes.
- RNATT (rabies neutralising antibody titre test): the same lab method, different name, EU regulatory term. Required only when returning a pet from a non-EU-listed country.
Same lab science across all three categories; the destination’s regulatory trust in your origin country determines which one applies.
The full destination map
| Destination | What’s required | Validity / lookback | Lab(s) accepted |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU + EFTA (US listed) | Vaccination cert only | Current vaccination | — |
| UK (US listed) | Vaccination cert only | Current vaccination | — |
| Canada (dogs >8mo) | Vaccination cert | Current | — |
| Mexico | Vaccination cert | Current | — |
| South America (most) | Vaccination cert | Current | — |
| Japan | FAVN serology + vaccination | Within 2 years; 180-day post-FAVN wait | KSU, DOD VFADL only |
| Australia | FAVN/RNATT + vaccination | RNATT ≥0.5 IU/ml; 180-day wait | KSU, DOD VFADL, Auburn (varies) |
| New Zealand | FAVN/RNATT + vaccination | Similar to Australia | Per MPI list |
| South Korea | FAVN + vaccination | Lookback to 24 months | KSU primarily |
| Hawaii (NIIP) | FAVN + vaccination | ≥36 months lookback | KSU, DOD, others per HDOA |
| Taiwan | FAVN + vaccination (rabies-controlled origins) | Per BAPHIQ | KSU, DOD |
| Malaysia | FAVN + vaccination | Per DVS | KSU |
| Singapore (Cat-3 origins) | FAVN + vaccination | Cat-2 US currently doesn’t need it; Cat-3 does | KSU |
| China | Vaccination cert only | Current | — |
| UAE / GCC | Vaccination cert + sometimes FAVN | Varies | Per Ministry |
How to read this table
If your destination is in the “vaccination cert only” group: your timeline is short. Get the rabies shot. Wait the destination-specified days after vaccination (often 21–30). Get the cert. Go.
If your destination is in the “FAVN serology” group: your timeline is months. The FAVN is drawn ≥30 days after the latest rabies booster. Then you wait the destination-specific window — 180 days for Japan and Australia (the test must be ≥180 days before arrival), shorter or different for others. See the table above.
The 180-day wait is the single biggest constraint on Japan, Australia, and NZ moves. It cannot be expedited. Plan the move around this.
Where the FAVN actually happens
For US-origin pets:
- Kansas State University Rabies Laboratory (KSU) — the default lab. Accepted by every FAVN destination listed above.
- DOD Veterinary Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory (DOD VFADL) — for military families. Also accepted by Japan and a few others.
- Auburn University Diagnostic Lab — accepted by Australia (sometimes), NZ, and parts of Asia. Not accepted by Japan. See our Japan FAVN lab article.
Submission: your USDA-accredited vet draws the blood. The sample goes to the lab. Results come back in 3–4 weeks.
Cost: KSU’s FAVN is ~$130 for the test itself, but vet draw fees and shipping add to that. Budget $200–$300 total.
The vaccination cert path (for “vax only” destinations)
For EU, UK, Mexico, Canada, China, and most others:
- Pet is microchipped (ISO 11784/11785).
- Rabies vaccination is given AFTER the chip (or the chip is read during the same visit). See our microchip-before-rabies article.
- Vaccination matures — most destinations require ≥21 days post-shot before international travel.
- International health certificate is issued by USDA-accredited vet ≤10 days before flight (or per the destination’s window — see our validity windows article).
No serology. No 180-day wait. No expensive lab fee.
The FAVN path (for serology destinations)
- Same as the vaccination path, steps 1–3.
- After ≥30 days post-vaccination, blood is drawn for FAVN/RNATT.
- Sample shipped to KSU (or another accepted lab) — 3–4 weeks for results.
- If result ≥0.5 IU/ml: the wait clock starts.
- For Japan & Australia: 180 days from sample draw date to earliest possible arrival.
- For Korea & Hawaii: shorter or lookback-based.
- Continuous rabies vaccination through the wait (see our rabies-lapse Japan article).
- Health cert + USDA endorsement → travel.
The “I already did a FAVN, can I reuse it?” question
Short answer: yes, often.
Long answer: it depends on the destination’s lookback window and the continuous vaccination rule.
- Japan: FAVN result is valid for 2 years from sample draw.
- Australia / NZ: Similar 2-year window from sample.
- South Korea: 24-month lookback (the most forgiving).
- Hawaii: 36-month lookback (the most forgiving for FAVN destinations).
- All of these require continuous rabies vaccination since the FAVN sample. Any lapse invalidates the prior test.
So a FAVN done for a Japan move 18 months ago can probably be reused for a subsequent Korea or Hawaii move, ifyour dog’s vaccination has been continuous and the destination’s lookback covers it.
What this means for your move
- Headed to Europe, UK, Mexico, Canada, or most of Latin America: vaccination cert is all you need. Timeline is the standard 30–60 day pre-flight prep.
- Headed to Japan, Australia, or New Zealand: FAVN + 180-day wait dominates everything. Build the timeline backwards from arrival, starting the FAVN 7+ months in advance.
- Headed to Hawaii: FAVN required but the lookback is 36 months, so if you’ve already done a recent FAVN for another country, you may already qualify.
- Headed to Korea, Taiwan, or Malaysia: FAVN required but the wait is shorter than Japan/Australia. Korea in particular accepts a 24-month lookback.
- Headed to China, UAE, or GCC: vaccination cert; some additional serology requirements that vary year-to-year. Check current bulletins.