AE

Pet Import to the UAE

Moderate to import
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Prepared by , International Animal Health Consultant

The UAE is a popular destination for expats relocating with pets. The core requirement is a prior import permit, obtained online from the federal Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) before your pet arrives. Permits are not issued by emirate municipalities.

Where your pet is coming from decides how much work is involved. MOCCAE splits origins into low-risk countries, which it lists, and high-risk countries, which is everyone else. Pets from high-risk countries need a rabies titre test and must be at least 15 weeks old. The USA and Canada are not on the low-risk list.

MOCCAE also publishes a list of prohibited dog breeds. Check it before you plan anything else.

Import Requirements

Every requirement below is taken from an official government page, and each one links to the page it comes from. The rules were last checked on 1 October 2026. They can change, so check the linked page again before you book.

Who is in charge

Where your pet travels from

GroupWhat appliesOrigins
Low-risk countries (الدول منخفضة الخطورة)No rabies titre test required; animal must be at least 12 weeks old. SourceAustralia, Austria, Andorra, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, French Polynesia, Falkland Islands, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Mauritius, Malta, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Netherlands, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Palau, Latvia, Albania, Croatia, Maldives, Spain (except Melilla and Ceuta), Cyprus, Korea, Montenegro, Seychelles, Suriname, Micronesia, Greece, Marshall Islands, Bahamas, Lithuania, Macedonia
High-risk countries (الدول ذات المخاطر العالية)Rabies titre test (at least 0.5 IU/ml, approved laboratory, valid 365 days) required; animal at least 15 weeks old. Sourceall other countries

Import permit

Microchip

Rabies vaccination

Rabies titre test

Health certificate

Other vaccines and tests

Parasite treatment

Quarantine

  • Not required: the Abu Dhabi Residents Office (Abu Dhabi Government) states the UAE has no required quarantine period for animals entering the country. MOCCAE's service page does not mention quarantine for compliant pets.
    Relocating with Pets, checked 1 October 2026

Arrival points and notice

Minimum age

How many pets

Banned and restricted breeds

How your pet may travel

Official fees

Other conditions

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Getting the import permit from MOCCAE

The UAE runs a single federal system. MOCCAE handles the cat and dog import permit service, whichever emirate you’re moving to. MOCCAE states the service takes 1 working day for all companion animals; service dogs, emotional support dogs and dogs imported for medical purposes take 5 working days instead.

MOCCAE says the import permit is valid for 90 days only, so check the validity printed on the permit itself and don’t apply too early. The official MOCCAE fees are AED 200 per animal for the import permit, plus a release fee on arrival of AED 500 per dog or AED 250 per cat.

Personal import is limited to 2 cats, 2 dogs, or 1 dog and 1 cat per year; resident animals leaving and re-entering are excepted.

Banned dog breeds

MOCCAE prohibits the entry of these dog breeds: Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, Tibetan Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux, Boerboel, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Bully Kutta, Perro de Presa Canario, Japanese Tosa and Presa Canario. USDA APHIS guidance adds that mixed breeds and hybrids of the banned breeds are also refused.

The ban does not apply to dogs used as service animals, emotional support animals or for medical purposes, under the governing conditions. Bengal and serval cats need a pedigree certificate showing fifth generation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. You need a prior import permit, obtained online from MOCCAE before your pet arrives. It is a federal permit, not one from the emirate municipality. MOCCAE says the permit is valid for 90 days only, so time the application with your travel date in mind.

MOCCAE prohibits the entry of a list of dog breeds, including the American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa and Cane Corso. USDA APHIS guidance says mixed breeds and hybrids of the banned breeds are also refused. Check the full list in the requirements above before booking anything.

Your pet needs a MOCCAE import permit, a permanent microchip and a certified veterinary health certificate issued by the competent veterinary authorities of the exporting country. Rabies vaccination is required, given when the animal is at least 12 weeks old, and at least 21 days must pass after a first or lapsed vaccination. Pets from high-risk countries also need a rabies titre test certificate showing at least 0.5 IU/ml, valid for 365 days. Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies, distemper, parvovirus, infectious canine hepatitis and leptospirosis (a test can replace the leptospirosis vaccine where the exporting country does not vaccinate against it); cats against rabies, panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis and calicivirus. Treatment for internal and external parasites must be given within the 14 days before shipment.

The Rottweiler is not on MOCCAE’s list of prohibited dog breeds. Once in the UAE, federal law requires dog owners to hold a licence and keep dogs on a leash in public.

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United Arab Emirates

  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Code: AE

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