Moving to Dubai with a Dog: MOCCAE Permits, Breed Bans, and Expat Life

Breed Restrictions: The First Check

The UAE maintains a restricted breed list. If your dog is on this list, it cannot be imported. Check the MOCCAE website before doing anything else.

Restricted breeds as of 2026 include (but may not be limited to):

  • Pit Bull Terrier and mixes
  • American Staffordshire Terrier
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • Rottweiler
  • Doberman Pinscher
  • Chow Chow
  • Presa Canario
  • Tosa Inu, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino
  • Wolf hybrids

Individual residential communities in Dubai may add further restrictions beyond the national list. Check both.

Import Permit Application

Apply through the MOCCAE My Services portal: moccae.gov.ae

You will need:

  • Dog’s details (breed, sex, age, microchip number)
  • Current vaccination records
  • Your UAE residency or visa details

Allow 4 to 6 weeks. The permit is the foundation of your documentation – the health certificate should reference the permit number.

Health Documentation

  1. Import permit
  2. Microchip (ISO 11784/11785)
  3. Rabies vaccination – current
  4. Core vaccinations – distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, leptospirosis
  5. Official health certificate – from a vet in your country, endorsed by your national authority, issued within 14 days of travel
  6. Parasite treatment (flea, tick, deworming within 14 days)

After Arrival in Dubai

Register your dog with Dubai Municipality within 30 days of arrival. Annual renewal applies. Keep rabies vaccination current – it is a registration requirement.

Practical Dog Life in Dubai

Dubai has become increasingly dog-friendly:

  • Several dedicated dog parks (Safa Park, Barsha Pond Park, Dubai Hills areas)
  • Multiple international-standard veterinary hospitals
  • Dog-friendly beaches in designated areas
  • Well-stocked pet stores throughout the city

Heat management: Dubai summers (May to October) are extreme. Walk dogs before 7am and after 8pm. Brachycephalic breeds need careful monitoring year-round.

Verify current MOCCAE breed restrictions and requirements at moccae.gov.ae. Information accurate as of May 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

The UAE restricts several breeds. Prohibited or restricted breeds include Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds (in some contexts), Chow Chows, Presa Canarios, Tosa Inus, Fila Brasileiros, and Dogo Argentinos. Verify the current list with MOCCAE before attempting to import a restricted breed.

Yes. An import permit from the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) is required before your dog travels to Dubai. Apply via the MOCCAE My Services portal at moccae.gov.ae at least 4 to 6 weeks before travel.

Dubai does not impose mandatory quarantine for dogs from most approved countries when documentation is complete. MOCCAE vets inspect the dog on arrival at Dubai International Airport (DXB). With complete documentation, the dog is typically released the same day.

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