Flying to United Arab Emirates with a pet
Requirements reviewed: April 2026 · Official authority: UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment — Pet import
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
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 importBuild 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 checklistUseful guides
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