Dubai Pet Import Requirements in 2024

Is your pet allowed in the UAE?

Banned dog breeds

You should be aware that the UAE prohibits the entry of several dog breeds, including American Pit Bull Terriers, American Bullies, Presa Canarios, and many breeds of mastiff. The ban extends to mixed breeds containing any of these. You'll find a comprehensive list of banned breeds on the website of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, more commonly abbreviated as MOCCAE.

Other restrictions

Importantly, you may only import up to 2 companion pets per person in any year, except if the animal already resided in the UAE. This means either two cats, two dogs, or one of each, per person.

Required documents

Here's a list of all the documents you'll need to gather for every pet you're allowed to bring into the UAE:

• Microchip: Your pet must be identified by a permanent microchip. Both ISO and AVID microchips are permissible. We suggest checking that the microchip can be found easily and read before travelling.

• Health certificate: You'll need to provide a health certificate for your pet, issued by a competent veterinary authority in your home country. The nature of this certificate will vary based on your country of residence.

• Vaccination document or passport: This document should describe your animal (species, colour, sex and date of birth) and list its vaccinations, including the vaccine name, manufacturer, batch number and vaccination date.

• Rabies Antibody Titre Test (RNATT): You'll need to provide a rabies titre test, also known as an antibody titration test, unless you live in a low risk country, as defined by MOCCAE. If your pet has received its first vaccine, you'll need to wait at least 20 days before performing this test. But no waiting period applies for booster vaccinations. You'll find the list of countries deemed low risk on MOCCAE's service request form.

• Treatment for parasites: In the 14 days prior to departure, your pet should receive preventive treatment for internal and external parasites. This treatment should appear on your pet’s health certificate.

• Pet import permit: And in the 30 days prior to departure, you should apply for and obtain a pet import permit through MOCCAE's website.

Required vaccinations

Each pet should meet the following vaccination requirements:

• Rabies vaccine: Your cat or dog must be vaccinated against rabies. And if your pet has just received its first vaccine, you'll need to wait until it's at least 12 weeks old before travelling.

• Additional vaccines for dogs: Your dog must also be vaccinated against Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), Canine Parvo Virus (CPV), Infectious Canine Hepatitis (ICH), and Leptospirosis. If your country doesn’t vaccinate dogs against Leptospirosis, you may use a lab test instead.

• Additional vaccines for cats: Your cat must also be vaccinated against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukcopenia. The FVRCP combination vaccine protects against all three infections.

Travel arrangements

Travel routes into the UAE

You may bring your cat or dog into the United Arab Emirates by road or through one of its four international airports, namely:

• Dubai International Airport (DXB);

• Al Maktoum International (DWC), only with special permission;

• Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH);

• Sharjah International Airport (SHJ).

Where will your pet travel?

If you're flying to Dubai, your pet will only be allowed to travel as cargo, unless you are blind and travelling with a guide dog. Emirates Airlines provides specialised air travel services for pets, horses and even chicks. You may also want to reach out to a dedicated pet relocation agency for expertise and assistance.

Alternatively, Etihad Airways allows small cats, dogs, and falcons to travel in the cabin if you are travelling to Abu Dhabi. Larger animals have to fly as air cargo. If you find the cost of flying your pet by cargo to Dubai prohibitively expensive, why not land fly into Abu Dhabi instead? Abu Dhabi is only a short 1 hour drive away from Dubai.

Do you have a suitable container for your pet?

Purchase a safe, secure and well-ventilated container that's appropriately sized when travelling by air, otherwise your pet may be refused travel. Specifically, your pet should have enough space to lie in a natural position, stand and sit erect, and turn around normally when standing. You'll find more information below:

• Official guidelines: IATA's website publishes container requirements, including minimum dimensions.

• Travel box examples: Dubai Kennels & Cattery, the company which handles animals for Emirates airline, has published examples of travel boxes and advice about ways to measure your pet on dkc.ae.

If time allows, get your pet accustomed to its crate ahead of your move, in order to make its flight experience as stress-free as possible.

When do you want your pet to travel?

If feasible, arrange for your pet to fly in such a way that it arrives in the UAE around the same time as you. Should your pet arrive early, it will be transferred to a climate-controlled facility at Dubai’s International Airport (DXB), where it will receive food, water, and care.

Will your pet be transiting through one or more countries?

If possible, fly your pet directly from your home country to the UAE. If your pet has to transit through another country, the UAE insists that it should not mix with other animals.