Microchip required before the rabies vaccination is given. Rabies vaccination must be given no earlier than 12 weeks of age — there’s no mandatory waiting period before travel, though some country-specific agreed health certificates require 21 days. Dogs also need Distemper, Parvovirus, and Infectious Hepatitis vaccines (Leptospirosis vaccine can be replaced by a lab test where not routinely given); cats need Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, and Calicivirus vaccines.

12 weeks for pets from low-risk rabies countries; 15 weeks for pets from high-risk countries.

Required only for pets from high-risk countries. If it’s the pet’s first rabies vaccination, at least 21 days must pass before testing; if it’s a booster on a still-valid vaccination, the test can be done immediately. Result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml, and stays valid for up to 365 days provided the vaccination remains current. Pets from low-risk countries (including Portugal, the UK, Germany, and most of the EU) are exempt — a certified agent can confirm your origin’s classification.

Internal and external parasite treatments required within 14 days before shipment, documented in the health certificate or pet passport. Fipronil or Permethrin is recommended for external treatment, and Praziquantel for internal treatment.

Required for all pets, obtained online from MOCCAE (Ministry of Climate Change and Environment) before travel. Valid for 90 days. Personal import is limited to 2 pets per person per year. Permits are system-generated without document verification — entering incorrect data means a new (paid) permit if caught on arrival.

If your origin country has an agreed health certificate model with the UAE (following the MOCCAE template), it must be issued within 24 hours before departure. If not, an international export health certificate from the official veterinary authority is needed instead, showing both an issue date and a validity date. An export certificate is also required for departure from the origin country.

Main airports: Dubai International (DXB), Zayed International (Abu Dhabi, AUH), Sharjah International (SHJ), and Al Maktoum International (Dubai World Central, DWC). Several land border ports also handle pet imports.

Not required for pets that fully meet documentation and testing requirements.

The following dog breeds are banned from entry into the UAE: Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, Tibetan Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, French Mastiff (Dogue de Bordeaux), Boerboel, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Bully Kutta, Presa Canario, and Japanese Tosa. Exceptions apply for service, emotional support, or medical assistance dogs — a special import permit from MOCCAE is required before shipment.

Separately from the national ban, Dubai restricts (but doesn’t prohibit) certain breeds — Husky, English Bulldog, Perro de Presa Mallorquin, Bull Dog, Bull Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, and Shar Pei — from living in apartments. These breeds must be leashed and muzzled in public and registered with the Veterinary Services Division.