Country Classifications

The United Arab Emirates classifies countries as either low risk of rabies or high risk of rabies:

Low risk of rabies countries: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, French Polynesia, Falkland Islands, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Palau, Portugal, Qatar, Seychelles, Singapore, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain except Melilla, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Vanuatu.

High risk of rabies countries: All countries not listed above.

The requirements to import a dog, cat or ferret to the United Arab Emirates will depend on the classification of the origination country, and whether your pet has proof of birth or residency in the country for 6 months prior to import.

Importers and pet owners should always check their country's classification before reviewing these regulations.

Pet Microchip

To import a dog or cat to the United Arab Emirates, your pet must first be identified with an ISO 11784 pet microchip that is a 15 digit and non-encrypted. If your pet's microchip is not ISO 11784 compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner.

The microchip should be implanted by your veterinarian, veterinary hospital or trained nurse. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet's information in the manufacturer database.

Vaccinations

A government-issued vaccination booklet, EU Pet Passport or rabies certificate is required for each pet, clearly displaying your pet's current rabies vaccination, including the vaccine's manufacturer, batch number and expiration. If your pet is originating from a low risk of rabies country (step 1), there is no wait after the rabies vaccination and no need for a rabies titer test (step 5) to enter the United Arab Emirates.

If your pet is originating from a low risk of rabiews (step 1), the rabies vaccination must have been administered between 21 days prior to arrival in the United Arab Emirates and not more than 12 months prior to arrival whether it is a primary vaccination or a booster.

Cats must be vaccinated against feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopnia. Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, canine hepatitis, leptospirosis (canicola and icterohaemorrhagiae) and parvovirus.

Import Permit

You must apply for an Import Paper from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment either in person or online in advance of your pet's arrival which is valid for 30 days from the date issued. The ministry will charge a fee per permit. You may list up to two pets per permit. If you have more than 2 pets, then multiple permits will be required.

If you are returning to the United Arab Emirates with your pet, it will need a Re-Entry card instead of an import permit.

Rabies Titer Test

If your pet is originating from one of the high risk of rabies countries (step 1) after being born or living there for 6 months, your pet will have to under go a rabies titer test. The titer test must be administered no sooner than 21 days after the rabies vaccination. As long as the results are acceptable, your pet can enter the United Arab Emirates without a wait time. The sample must be sent to a government-approved laboratory.

The rabies vaccination given before the titer test must not expire before import to the UAE.

All dogs and cats arriving in the United Arab Emirates from a high-rabies country without a rabies titer test will be quarantined and a rabies titer test will be done at the owner's expense.

If your cat or dog is returning to the UAE, and was vaccinated against rabies prior to leaving the UAE and the vaccination is still valid, then a titer test is not required.

Pet Health Certificate

An original pet health certificate for the United Arab Emirates must be issued by the government of the exporting country responsible for the import and export of animals.

This certificate must attest that your pet was visually examined during the 24 hours prior to export and found clinically healthy and free of external parasites unless entering from the United States.

After issuance, the governing authority the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of animals must endorse the forms within 24 hours of departure.

If your pet is entering the United Arab Emirates from the United States, then the certificate must be endorsed by the United States Department of Agriculture and is valid for 10 days after issuance by your pet's veterinarian.

Internal and External Parasites

Shortly before your dog or cat can enter the United Arab Emirates, your veterinarian should treat your pet against interal and external parasites.

Entering the United Arab Emirates

All pets entering the United Arab Emirates must arrive manifest (air) cargo when imported unless landing in Abu Dhabi on flights operated by Etihad Airways where small cats and dogs are permitted in the cabin. Pets must be transported as directly as possible. If there is a layover on the itinerary, then an attestation form must be completed that your pet was not exposed to other animals during the layover.

Service animals can arrive in the cabin or as checked baggage if they conform to regulations above and their airline permits it.

Your pet must have a transit permit to transit the UAE by land. A prior transit permit must be obtained from the Ministry for cats and dogs which cross the country as a transit consignment. They shall be accompanied with a veterinary health certificate or a vaccination document which shows that the animal has been vaccinated for rabies and an import permit ( No. objection) from the importing state.

Approved entry points: Abu Dhabi International Airport or Abu Dubai International Airport.

Maximum two (2) pets per individual per year. (2 cats or 2 dogs or 1 cat and 1 dog) An agent can arrange to increase the number to five (5).

The inspection process is somewhat complicated and can take several hours. We recommend that you employ the services of a transport agent in the United Arab Emirates who will handle all of the details for you and arrange for speedy clearance through immigration.

Pets transiting the UAE by ground, an import permit from the destination country is required. For pets transiting by air, a transit permit is required.

All dogs must be leashed and muzzled when in public places.

Puppies and Kittens

Unvaccinated pets from rabies-controlled countries (see step #7) under the age of 12 weeks cannot enter the UAE. Puppies and kittens from high-rabies countries cannot enter the United Arab Emirates from countries with a high risk of rabies cannot enter the UAE until they reach 15 weeks of age and conform to all requirements.

Banned Breeds

The United Arab Emirates does not permit the import or transit of the following breeds, their crosses or their hybrids: Any Bull Terrier (Pit Bull Terrier or American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier or other), Japanese Tosa (Tosa Inu, Tosa Fighting Dog, Japanese Tosa), Argentinian Fighting Dog (Dogo Argentino, Argentinian Mastiff), Brazilian Fighting Dog (Fila Brasileino, Brazilian Mastiff), Wolf Dog Hybrid (any dog mixed with a wolf), Any breed of Mastiff, American Bully, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, Canario Presa or Boxer.

If you are planning to live in the Emirate of Dubai, the breeds mentioned previously who are currently residents of Dubai as well as the following breeds cannot reside in an apartment, must be leashed and muzzled, must be registered with the Veterinary Services Division: Bull Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, Husky, English Bulldogs, Perro de Pressa Mallorquin, Bull Dog and Shar Pei.

Exporting Pets Living in the United Arab Emirates

To export your pet from the United Arab Emirates, the basic requirements are an export permit that will be examined at Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah international airports, a valid rabies vaccination between one year and 30 days prior to export, proof your pet has been microchipped; a crate that meets International Air Transport Association guidelines.

Pets leaving the United Arab Emirates after visiting must also obtain an export permit. Pet owners should plan to apply in person for the permit from Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries. The permit can also be applied for online. If you plan to return to the UAE after leaving the country, your pet must have a microchip, current rabies vaccination, health certificate and export permit.

It is helpful to use the services of an agent to apply for the permit if within your budget.

Pets leaving the United Arab Emirates do not need a rabies titer test to return as long as their rabies vaccination does not expire before they re-enter the country. Pets returning to the United Arab Emirates must be accompanied with a copy of the veterinary health certificate issued when exiting the country.

Other Animals

Birds entering the United Arab Emirates from the United States (except Tennessee) will be permitted with a health certificate, certificate of origin, payment information if available and an import permit from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. If your pet bird is subject to CITIES requirements, those permits must be secured.

Rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs and other small mammals must be microchipped and accompanied by a health certificates. Other invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles and amphibia are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination, but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter the United Arab Emirates. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.

CITES

If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should verify that it is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations.

Need More Assistance?

To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following the rules of the country you are visiting.

Further detail on import permits, costs, tests and procedures are available at minimal cost at PetTravelStore.com. We also stock all the equipment and accessories you will need for traveling with your pet. Same day shipping Monday through Friday until 2:00 PM EST.

 

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