Lead time needed
6-9 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
Medium
Airlines
3 carriers on this route
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AE
SV

Pet Transport from the United Arab Emirates to El Salvador

Getting a pet from United Arab Emirates to El Salvador is a step by step process, and each stage has its own timing. This is a middle of the road route, and about 6-9 weeks of preparation usually covers it. Pets with correct documentation skip quarantine …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from United Arab Emirates to El Salvador typically takes around 6-9 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. A rabies titre test is not required.
Regulations checked
Step by step

The United Arab Emirates to El Salvador import process

Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.

1
Start of planning.
Confirm the rabies vaccination is current and the microchip is implanted.

Responsible: UAE vet

2
2-3 weeks before travel.
Apply for the MOCCAE export certificate online.

Responsible: Owner

3
Close to the travel date, per MOCCAE's process.
Book the final in-person inspection with a MOCCAE government veterinarian at the airport.

Responsible: Owner and MOCCAE government vet

4
Valid 30 days once issued, so time it close to the travel date if applied for in advance.
Apply for the MAG import authorisation, or plan to complete it on arrival at San Salvador.

Responsible: Owner or an El Salvador-side agent

5
4-6 weeks before travel.
Book cargo space Dubai to San Salvador via Miami or a European hub.

Responsible: Owner or agent

6
Travel day.
Present documentation to MAG officials on arrival in San Salvador.

Responsible: Owner

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter El Salvador

Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.

Microchip
Not explicitly mandated by MAG's published import guidance, but strongly …
Rabies vaccination
A current vaccination record must accompany the pet, original or copy, alongside …
Rabies titre test
Not required by El Salvador for pets arriving from the UAE.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine stated in MAG's published guidance for a pet arriving with …
Import permit
MAG import authorisation required in advance, or at the point of entry itself. …
Health certificate
The MOCCAE-endorsed export certificate from the UAE, plus the completed MAG …
Export permit
MOCCAE export certificate mandatory for every pet leaving the UAE, regardless of …
Costs

What this route typically costs

MOCCAE export certificate and airport inspection: AED 200-400
MAG import authorisation: USD 9.04
IATA-compliant travel crate: AED 400-1,200
Airline cargo fee, Dubai to San Salvador via Miami: USD 1,800-3,200 …
Total typical range: USD 2,200-3,900 over 6-9 weeks

Critical points

The MOCCAE export certificate requires a final in-person inspection at the airport itself, not just an online submission. Build that appointment into the travel-day schedule rather than treating the online portal step as the whole process.

There is no direct or one-stop Dubai-San Salvador routing. Every option connects through Miami or a European hub, and total transit time can run well over 21 hours door to door.

The MAG import authorisation is single-entry and cannot be reused for the return journey, so a later move back to the UAE needs its own fresh application.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.

Emirates SkyCargo
Runs a year-round nonstop Dubai to Miami service, the natural first sector for this route …
Cargo Only
Avianca
Picks up the connection at Miami, Bogota, or a European hub for the final sector into San …
Cargo Only
American Airlines
An alternative Miami-San Salvador leg. Confirm current cargo pet acceptance and any …
Cargo Only

The rules for bringing a pet into El Salvador

El Salvador has a clear set of import requirements that are manageable with some planning. Follow them in order and keep an eye on the dates that cannot move.

How to keep this move on track

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

Yes. MOCCAE requires the export certificate for every pet leaving the UAE, regardless of species or destination, and it is not complete until a government veterinarian inspects the animal at the airport before departure.
No. MAG does not require a rabies titre test for pets arriving from the UAE. A current vaccination record, a health certificate and a MAG import authorisation cover the destination-side requirements.
No. Every routing connects through Miami or a European hub such as Madrid or London, using the Emirates-Avianca codeshare partnership or a separate American Airlines connection. Total transit time typically runs over 21 hours.
USD 9.04, valid for 30 days from issue and covering one entry only. It can be applied for in advance or completed at the point of entry in San Salvador on the day of arrival.
Airline guides
  • Emirates SkyCargo
  • Avianca
  • American Airlines
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Move your pet to El Salvador.

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AE SVUnited Arab Emirates to El Salvador
International pet transport route
Lead time6-9 weeks
QuarantineNone
ComplexityMedium
Airlines3
ServiceDoor to door
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