How to bring a cat or dog to Dubai in 2025

Here's everything you need to know about bring your pet to Dubai, including the UAE's pet import permit and vaccination requirements.

You may import a pet into the United Arab Emirates through one of its four international airports, namely DXB, DWC (with special permission), Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Sharjah (SHJ), or by road. For simplicity, this chapter focuses on cats and dogs alone.

Is your pet even allowed in the UAE?

The UAE prohibits the entry of several dog breeds, including American Pit Bull Terriers, American Bullies, Presa Canarios, and many breeds of mastiff. The ban extends to mixed breeds containing any of these. The full list of banned breeds, is available on the pet import service page of the website maintained by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE).

Documentary requirements

You'll need to provide the following documents for every pet you import into the UAE:

• Microchip: Your pet must be identified by a permanent microchip. ISO and AVID microchips are permissible. It's advisable to check that the microchip can be found easily and read before travelling.

• Health certificate: You'll need to provide a health certificate issued by a competent veterinary authority in your home country. The nature of this certificate will vary based on your country of residence.

• Vaccination document or passport: This document should describe your animal (species, colour, sex and date of birth) and list its vaccinations, including the vaccine name, manufacturer, batch number and vaccination date.

• Rabies Antibody Titre Test (RNATT): You'll need to provide a rabies titre test, also known as an antibody titration test, unless you live in a low-risk country, as defined by MOCCAE. If your pet has received its first vaccine, you'll need to wait at least 20 days before performing this test. No waiting period applies for booster vaccinations. You'll find the list of countries deemed low risk on MOCCAE's website.

• UAE import permit: In the 30 days prior to your pet's departure, you should apply for a pet import permit through MOCCAE's website.

• Treatment for parasites: In the 14 days prior to its departure, your pet should receive preventive treatment for internal and external parasites. Remember to add this treatment to your pet's health certificate.

Importantly, you may only import up to 2 companion pets per person in any year, except if the animal already resided in the UAE. This means either two cats, two dogs, or one of each, per person.

Vaccinations

Each pet should meet the following vaccination requirements:

• Rabies vaccine: Your cat or dog must be vaccinated against rabies. If this is your pet's first vaccine, you'll need to wait until it is at least 12 weeks old before importing it into the UAE.

• Additional requirements for dogs: Your dog must be vaccinated against Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), Canine Parvo Virus (CPV), Infectious Canine Hepatitis (ICH), and Leptospirosis. If your country doesn't vaccinate dogs against Leptospirosis, you may use a lab test result instead.

• Additional requirements for cats: Your cat must be vaccinated against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukcopenia. The FVRCP combination vaccine protects against all three infections.

Travel arrangements

Where will your pet travel?

If you're flying into Dubai, your pet will only be allowed to travel as cargo, unless you are blind and travelling with a guide dog. Emirates Airlines provides specialised air travel services for pets, horses and even chicks. If necessary, reach out to a pet relocation agency for expertise and assistance.

If you prefer to travel with your pet, fly into Abu Dhabi instead. Abu Dhabi is just 1 hour away from Dubai by car. Etihad Airways allows small cats, dogs, and falcons to travel in the cabin on flights to Abu Dhabi. Larger animals must fly as air cargo.

Do you have a suitable container for your pet?

Purchase a safe, secure and well-ventilated container that's appropriately sized when travelling by air, otherwise your pet may be refused travel. Specifically, your pet should have enough space to lie in a natural position, stand and sit erect, and turn around normally when standing. You'll find more information below:

• Official guidelines: IATA publishes minimum container dimensions and other requirements.

• Practical examples: Dubai Kennels & Cattery, the company which handles animals for Emirates Airlines, has published examples of travel boxes and tips for measuring your pet on its website, https://www.dkc.ae/.

If possible, get your pet accustomed to spending time in its crate in the weeks leading up to your relocation, to make its flight experience as stress-free as possible.

When do you want your pet to travel?

If feasible, arrange for your pet to fly in such a way that it arrives in the UAE around the same time as you. Should your pet arrive early, it will be transferred to a climate-controlled facility at Dubai's International Airport (DXB), where it will receive food, water, and care.

Will your pet be transiting through one or more countries?

If possible, fly your pet directly from your home country to the UAE. If your pet must transit through another country, the UAE insists that it should not mix with other animals.