Bringing a pet into (or out of) the UAE: permits, microchips, rabies rules and a timeline

Moving to the UAE with a cat or dog takes paperwork, and the paperwork has an order. Get the order wrong, for example by vaccinating before microchipping, and you may have to repeat steps and lose weeks. The good news is that the requirements are published, and most of the stress comes from not knowing the sequence.

This guide is a plain-words summary of what the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and the Abu Dhabi government publish, with a clear note on where sources disagree. It is not legal advice, and it is not a substitute for the current MOCCAE page or your airline’s rules, so check both before you book anything non-refundable.

Do I need a permit to bring a pet into the UAE?

Yes. Dogs and cats need an import permit applied for online through MOCCAE before the animal travels. The reported fee is AED 200 per animal.

MOCCAE also limits numbers: owners may bring a maximum of two companion animals per person per year, with an exception for residents returning home. If you are moving with more pets than that, plan with a licensed pet relocation company and ask MOCCAE what is allowed.

What are the main requirements?

The core list is short. Each item has detail behind it, and several have to happen in a particular order.

• A permanent microchip. The number must match the health certificate and the vaccination record.
• A valid rabies vaccination, given after the microchip. MOCCAE sets a minimum age: 12 weeks for pets coming from low-risk origins and 15 weeks from high-risk origins.
• A rabies antibody test for pets from high-risk countries. Third-party guides describe a FAVN test with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml from an accredited laboratory. MOCCAE’s rules say at least 21 days must pass after a first or lapsed vaccination before testing, and the result is valid for 365 days if the vaccination stays current.
• An official health certificate from the exporting country’s authority.
• Parasite treatment within 14 days before shipment.
• Records that list the microchip number, vaccine name, batch number and date.

How long is the import permit valid?

Sources do not agree, and that matters if your move is delayed. MOCCAE’s own page says the permit is valid for 90 days, while the Abu Dhabi government’s living guide says up to 30 days, and one third-party guide also says 30. We cannot tell which is current, so the safe approach is to check the validity printed on your actual permit and ask MOCCAE to confirm, then plan your flight inside the shorter figure if you can.

How do pets actually travel?

Pets usually travel as manifest cargo rather than as checked baggage, on a direct shipment from the exporting country that follows IATA live-animal rules. Many families use a licensed pet relocation company for the booking, crate, paperwork and clearance, and some airlines have their own pet policies. Ask early, because seasonal limits and breed restrictions apply on many routes.

Pets that do not meet the requirements can be rejected at the owner’s expense or confiscated, according to MOCCAE. For cat and dog imports, Ministerial Resolution No. 109 of 2021 sets the conditions.

Which pets are restricted?

Some dog breeds are banned, and others have conditions. MOCCAE’s import page lists banned breeds including the American Pit Bull Terrier, Bullmastiff and Cane Corso, and wolf hybrids are reported as prohibited. Bengal and Serval cats require a fifth-generation pedigree certificate. We explain the breed rules, and where sources disagree, in our guide to banned and restricted dog breeds in the UAE.

What is a realistic timeline?

Every case differs, but the order below is the one the rules imply. Add time for your vet’s appointments and for the blood test result, which can take a while to come back.

1. Check eligibility. Confirm breed, age and number of pets, and read the current MOCCAE page.
2. Microchip your pet with an ISO-compliant chip, if not already done.
3. Vaccinate against rabies after the chip, at or above the minimum age.
4. Blood test, if your origin country requires it. Wait the required number of days after vaccination, then send the sample to an accredited laboratory.
5. Apply for the import permit with MOCCAE and pay the fee.
6. Book the shipment with an airline or relocation company, inside the permit’s validity.
7. Parasite treatment in the 14 days before travel, and the official health certificate.
8. Arrive and clear. Present the documents, pay any release fee, and collect your pet.

Once you land, register your pet and keep their records current. For Dubai, see our guide to microchipping and registering your pet.

How do I take a pet out of the UAE?

To export or re-export a pet you need a MOCCAE veterinary health certificate. It is valid for 30 days, and the reported fee is AED 100 for up to two personal pets (AED 400 is the standard fee). Owners should attend the export point, for example the airport, about 48 hours ahead, with a passport and the vaccination booklet. MOCCAE notes that this service is being transferred to the Emirates Drug Establishment, but it is still accessible through MOCCAE channels.

Destination countries have their own rules, which are often stricter than the UAE’s. Titre tests, waiting periods, specific microchip types and import permits are common. Start with the destination’s official website, and give yourself months rather than weeks.

What if I am bringing a falcon or an exotic animal?

Different rules apply. Falcons, for example, use a separate passport and permit system, and many exotic animals need CITES documents. We cover falcons in our guide to falcon health and travel basics, and for anything else you should ask MOCCAE directly.

Moving is stressful for you and for your pet. A calm checklist, a vet who knows the sequence and a buffer in your timeline will do more for everyone’s peace of mind than any shortcut.