Bringing your dog or cat from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Expect a long lead time of roughly 6-10 weeks; the waiting …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan
typically takes around 6-10 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant
Step by step
The import process, in full
1
First step - must be done before any vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
2
After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
3
Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks
Apply for import permit from Pakistan
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
4
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
5
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian
6
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk
Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk
7
On arrival. Compliant pets are released after inspection; the Department holds only animals whose paperwork or health does not check out.
Inspection by the Animal Quarantine Department on arrival
Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785)
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel
Rabies titre test
Not required from any country. Pakistan does not ask for a rabies antibody test; a current rabies vaccination and the official health certificate carry the move.
Quarantine
No quarantine for compliant pets. The Animal Quarantine Department inspects on arrival and handles non-compliant animals at its discretion.
Import permit
Required. Issued by: Animal Quarantine Department, Ministry of National Food Security and Research
Health certificate
Required. Issued by: Official veterinarian, endorsed by national authority
Export permit
Export permit from MEWA required. Apply in advance.
Health certificate
Format depends on destination. MEWA endorsement required for most destinations.
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We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Saudi Arabia to Pakistan move gets missed.
Pet Transport Global
Airlines
Carriers on this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.
Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round
Cabin and Cargo
British Airways
Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.
Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met
Cargo Only
Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes
Cabin and Cargo
KLM
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo
Cabin and Cargo
Etihad Airways
Cargo: Pets travel through Etihad Cargo. Brachycephalic breeds subject to seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during Abu Dhabi summer months
Cargo Only
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
Import permit application fee (Pakistan)
Quarantine facility fees (owner-paid at destination)
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)
Critical points
Mandatory quarantine required on arrival. Plan for separation from your pet.
Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.
Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.
Pakistan entry requirements at a glance
Getting a pet into Pakistan means meeting a demanding set of rules with no shortcuts. Start from the earliest deadline and work forward from there.
Getting the details right
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
FAQ
Common questions
Allow at least 26 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.
No, not for a compliant pet. The Animal Quarantine Department inspects on arrival and releases animals whose documentation and health check out. It handles non-compliant animals at its own discretion, which is a reason to get the paperwork right rather than a quarantine period to plan around.
No. Pakistan does not require a rabies antibody test as a standard condition of entry. If a titre has been quoted to you for this move, check whether it belongs to a transit country rather than to Pakistan itself, which is a common and expensive confusion.
Yes, an import permit is required from Pakistan’s authority (Animal Quarantine Department, Ministry of National Food Security and Research). Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Saudi Arabia. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Pakistan’s authority for the exact format required.
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Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm
current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.
IATA· International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations
MEWA· Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Saudi Arabia