PetGrit
Estimate — confirm with official authority

Flying to United Arab Emirates with a pet

Requirements reviewed: April 2026 · Official authority: UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment — Pet import

Veterinarian gently examining a Labrador on a clean examination table

Entry requirements at a glance

Microchip
Required

ISO 11784/11785 standard 15-digit microchip. Must be implanted before or at the time of the first rabies vaccination — never after.

Rabies vaccine
Required. Must be current. Some emirates may have additional requirements.
Health certificate
USDA APHIS-endorsed health certificate required, issued within 14 days of travel. Health certificate may need to be translated to Arabic in some cases.
Rabies titer test
Required Not typically required for pets from the U.S.
Quarantine on arrival
None if all requirements are met None if all requirements are met and documentation is correct.
Breed restrictions / bans
Dubai and Abu Dhabi ban Pit Bull Terriers and several other 'aggressive' breeds. Check with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment for the current list before traveling.

Step-by-step process notes

Requirements vary somewhat by emirate. Dubai is generally straightforward: microchip, rabies vaccine, USDA health certificate, and import permit obtained through MOCCAE's website. The import permit must be obtained before travel. Pets typically arrive at Dubai or Abu Dhabi airport and clear customs there. Some species are banned — only dogs and cats are commonly permitted.

Confirm with the official authority

This page summarizes United Arab Emirates's pet-import requirements as of April 2026. Pet-import rules change. Always verify with the official government authority before travel.

UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment — Pet import

Build your travel checklist

Use the Pet Travel Readiness tool to turn United Arab Emirates's requirements into a sequenced, dated checklist — microchip, vaccines, titer test wait period, and USDA health certificate window — from your travel date.

Build my United Arab Emirates checklist

Useful guides

USDA health certificate, step by step Microchip and rabies rules

Other destinations

United Kingdom Microchip req. · No quarantine Canada No microchip · No quarantine Mexico No microchip · No quarantine Japan Microchip req. · Quarantine Australia Microchip req. · Quarantine
All destinations