Pet Transport from India to the United Arab Emirates
Moving a dog or cat from India to United Arab Emirates is very doable with the right preparation. Expect around 12-20 weeks of lead time to line up the documents and the fixed waiting periods. There …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from India to United Arab Emirates
typically takes around 12-20 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The India to United Arab Emirates import process
01
First step. Must be in place before the rabies vaccination.
Implant ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Responsible: Your veterinarian in India
02
After microchipping. Blood for titre test cannot be drawn until at least 30 days after vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian in India
03
At least 30 days after the rabies vaccination. Result must be 0.5 IU/ml or above. Allow 2-4 weeks for results.
Titre test blood draw at a UAE-accepted laboratory
Responsible: Your veterinarian plus approved laboratory
04
After titre test result confirmed. Apply to Dubai Municipality (for Dubai arrivals) or ADAFSA (for Abu Dhabi arrivals). Allow 1-2 weeks.
Apply for UAE municipality import permit
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
05
4-6 weeks before planned travel. Apply to the relevant AQCS regional office.
Apply for AQCS No-Objection Certificate (NOC)
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
06
Approximately 7 days before departure.
First clinical examination and health certificate preparation
Responsible: AQCS-registered official veterinarian
07
Within 2 days of departure. Certificate valid 14 days from issue.
Second clinical examination, health certificate completion and AQCS endorsement
Responsible: Official veterinarian and AQCS
08
4-6 weeks before travel. Confirm live animal acceptance, summer embargo dates, and crate requirements.
Book cargo space with Emirates SkyCargo, Air India Cargo, or Etihad Cargo
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
Requirements
United Arab Emirates entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Vaccination must be within its validity period on arrival. Minimum age for vaccination: 12 weeks.
Rabies titre test
Required. India is classified as a high-risk origin country by UAE authorities (MOCCAE). Titre test with a passing result (minimum 0.5 IU/ml) is required for pets from high-risk countries entering the UAE. Use a UAE-accepted laboratory. Source: MOCCAE, moccae.gov.ae
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for compliant pets with correct documentation. Pets arriving with incomplete documentation may be held at the airport facility at owner's expense.
Import permit
Required. Import permit must be obtained before travel. Dubai: apply to Dubai Municipality. Abu Dhabi: apply to ADAFSA (Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority). Allow 1-2 weeks for processing. Source: MOCCAE/Dubai Municipality/ADAFSA
Health certificate
Required. Official health certificate from an AQCS-registered Indian vet, endorsed by AQCS. Must confirm: microchip number, rabies vaccination details, titre test result, pet is free from infectious disease, fit to travel.
Leaving India
Export requirements
Export permit
No-Objection Certificate (NOC) required from AQCS before travel. Apply to the AQCS regional office nearest your departure city. Allow 4-6 weeks. Source: aqcsindia.gov.in
Health certificate
Required. Health certificate from a registered Indian vet in the UAE-approved format, endorsed by AQCS (Animal Quarantine and Certification Services, aqcsindia.gov.in). Two clinical examinations required: first approximately 7 days before travel, second within 2 days of departure. Certificate valid 14 days from issue date.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo fees (India to UAE): typically AED 1,500-4,000 (USD 400-1,100) depending on pet size, crate, and route
IATA-compliant travel crate: AED 400-1,200 depending on size
Veterinary fees in India: microchip, vaccinations, clinical exams, health certificate preparation
Titre test laboratory fee: approximately INR 5,000-12,000 depending on laboratory
AQCS NOC application and health certificate endorsement fees
UAE municipality import permit fee: varies by emirate, typically AED 100-300
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for this route): AED 1,500-4,000
Critical points
India is classified as a high-risk origin country by UAE authorities. A titre test with a passing result (0.5 IU/ml) is required for Indian pets. Pets without a confirmed passing titre test will be refused entry.
The UAE import permit must be obtained before travel. Different emirates have different application processes: Dubai Municipality for Dubai arrivals, ADAFSA for Abu Dhabi. Apply well in advance.
Emirates SkyCargo suspends live animal cargo during the Gulf summer (typically May-September) due to extreme temperatures. Plan travel for October to April if possible. Check current embargo dates with the carrier before booking.
The AQCS NOC is required for all pet exports from India. Without it, the health certificate cannot be correctly endorsed and airlines will not accept the pet.
Verify current UAE import requirements with MOCCAE (moccae.gov.ae) and the relevant municipality before travel. Requirements can change.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Emirates
Cargo only from India. Emirates SkyCargo operates from Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Bangalore (BLR), Chennai (MAA), Hyderabad (HYD), and Kochi (COK) to Dubai (DXB). Pets in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. No cabin pets on any Emirates international route. Temperature embargoes apply during Gulf summer (typically May-September).
Cargo Only
Air India
International cargo from major Indian airports to Dubai (DXB) and Abu Dhabi (AUH). Pets in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold via Air India Cargo. No cabin pets on international routes. Contact AI Cargo for booking.
Cargo Only
Etihad Airways
Cargo from Indian cities to Abu Dhabi (AUH) hub. Etihad Cargo handles live animals in temperature-controlled hold. Useful option for owners relocating to Abu Dhabi or the Northern Emirates. Temperature restrictions apply in summer.
Cargo Only
IndiGo
IndiGo does not carry pets as cargo on international routes. Domestic India sectors only for connecting to international services at major airports.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Cargo from Indian cities via Frankfurt (FRA) hub to UAE. Connecting option if direct India-UAE cargo slots are full. Pets in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round.
Cargo Only
What United Arab Emirates requires
The requirements for United Arab Emirates are thorough rather than difficult. Work through them methodically and confirm anything you are unsure about with the official source.
Avoiding the common mistakes
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
UAE authorities (MOCCAE) classify India as a high-risk origin country for rabies. The titre test confirms that your pet’s rabies vaccination has produced an adequate level of antibody protection (0.5 IU/ml or above). All dogs and cats from India require this before UAE entry, regardless of breed, age, or vaccination history. Source: MOCCAE, moccae.gov.ae
Yes. The permit process differs by emirate. For Dubai arrivals, apply to Dubai Municipality. For Abu Dhabi, apply to ADAFSA. If you are relocating to Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, or other emirates, check with the relevant local authority. Apply to the correct authority for your specific destination.
Most airlines operating India-UAE cargo routes, including Emirates SkyCargo, suspend live animal transport during the Gulf summer, approximately May to September. Exact dates vary by year. Check with your carrier or agent before booking. October to April is the recommended travel window.
AQCS (Animal Quarantine and Certification Services) issues the No-Objection Certificate required for all pet exports from India. Without it, the health certificate cannot be correctly endorsed and airlines will not carry your pet. Apply to the AQCS regional office in your city at least 4-6 weeks before travel. Source: aqcsindia.gov.in
Allow 12-20 weeks from microchipping to departure. The titre test adds at least 6-8 weeks (30-day post-vaccination wait before the blood draw, plus 2-4 weeks for results), and the AQCS NOC process takes 4-6 weeks. Unlike the UK route, there is no mandatory waiting period after a passing UAE titre test result, which keeps the total timeline shorter.
Airline guides
Emirates
Air India
Etihad Airways
IndiGo
Lufthansa
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.