Moving to the UAE with a pet: import permit, rabies rules and a timeline
Bringing a dog or cat to Dubai or the UAE? The steps in order: microchip, rabies vaccination, titre test, MOCCAE import permit, health certificate, flights and what to do when you land.
14 October 2026 · 3 min read
Moving to the UAE is exciting, and your pet can come too. Thousands of dogs and cats arrive every year. The process is well-trodden, but it has a strict order, and getting one step out of sequence can mean starting again.
This is a planning guide, not official advice. The rules depend on the country you're coming from, and they change. Check the current requirements with the UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and your airline before you book.
The steps, in order
1. Check your pet can come
- Breed: the UAE restricts or bans some dog breeds. If your dog is a guarding or bull breed (or a cross), check its status with MOCCAE first. See Dubai pet laws.
- Age: very young pets can't travel until they're old enough to be vaccinated against rabies and complete the waiting period.
2. Microchip
An ISO 11784/11785-compatible microchip, implanted before the rabies vaccination. A rabies vaccine given before the chip may not count, which can mean revaccinating and waiting all over again.
3. Rabies vaccination
Your pet needs a valid rabies vaccination, given at least 21 days before travel if it's their first one (or if the previous one lapsed).
4. Rabies titre test, if your country needs it
Depending on where you're coming from, your pet may need a rabies antibody blood test (FAVN) showing a level of at least 0.5 IU/ml. Pets from countries on MOCCAE's lower-risk list may be exempt. This is the step that most often takes months, so check it first.
5. MOCCAE import permit
Apply online for an import permit before your pet travels. It's issued for a limited period, so time it around your flight.
6. Health certificate
A vet in your current country issues a health certificate shortly before travel, endorsed by that country's government vet authority where required.
7. Flights
Pets usually enter the UAE as manifest cargo in an IATA-compliant crate. Check your airline's pet rules and any summer heat embargoes, and book early: pet spaces are limited.
8. When you land
Expect your pet to be cleared at the airport's cargo or animal reception, with fees to pay on release. Then, once you're settled:
- Register your pet with your local municipality (in Dubai, Dubai Municipality), and keep their vaccinations up to date.
- Find a vet near home.
- Check your building's rules, and get your landlord's permission in writing.
A sample timeline
| When | What |
|---|---|
| 4 to 6 months before | Check breed rules and whether your pet needs a titre test. Get the microchip checked or implanted. |
| 3 to 4 months before | Rabies vaccination (after the chip); titre blood test if needed. |
| 1 to 2 months before | Book the flight and crate; start crate training. |
| A few weeks before | Apply for the MOCCAE import permit. |
| Days before | Health certificate from your vet. |
| After arrival | Municipality registration, local vet, building rules. |
Should I use a pet relocation company?
Many people do, especially for the first time or from countries that need a titre test. A good relocator handles the permit, bookings and airport clearance. Ask for references and a clear list of what's included.
Frequently asked questions
Do pets need to quarantine when entering the UAE?
Pets that arrive with the correct microchip, vaccinations, permit and paperwork are usually released on arrival rather than quarantined. Missing or incorrect paperwork is what causes delays, so double-check everything against MOCCAE's current requirements.
Does my pet need a rabies titre test to enter the UAE?
It depends on the country you're travelling from. Pets from countries on MOCCAE's lower-risk list may not need one; others need a rabies antibody test with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. Check before you start, as it can take months.
Can my dog fly into Dubai in the cabin?
Pets usually enter the UAE as manifest cargo. Check with your airline for its current rules.
