Moving to Dubai with Your Pet: Complete Guide to UAE Pet Import Requirements [2026]

Dubai is the world's most popular expat destination — and every year, tens of thousands of families relocate there with dogs and cats. The process is manageable, there is no quarantine, and Emirates offers direct flights on most major routes. But there are real requirements that catch people off guard: the import permit, breed restrictions, and — depending on where you're coming from — the rabies titre test with a 90-day wait. This guide covers everything you need to know before your pet boards a flight to the UAE.

Step-by-Step: UAE Pet Entry Requirements

The UAE requires five core elements for any dog or cat to enter Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Miss any one of them and the pet may be refused entry or held at the airport at the owner's cost.

1. 1
   ISO Microchip

   A 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 microchip must be implanted before any vaccination. If your pet was vaccinated before the microchip was implanted, the vaccination does not count and must be repeated.

2. 2
   Rabies Vaccination

   A valid rabies vaccination is required — administered at least 30 days before travel and within the vaccine's validity period (12 months standard, or 3 years if the RNATT titre test confirms adequate antibody levels). Core vaccines (Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis for dogs; standard feline protocol for cats) are also required.

3. 3
   RNATT Rabies Titre Test — if required for your country

   The UAE requires the RNATT if your country of origin is classified as a rabies-risk country by WOAH WAHIS. The minimum result is ≥ 0.5 IU/ml. After a passing result, you must wait 90 days before the pet can travel to the UAE. The test must be performed at a WOAH/OIE-approved laboratory.

   Not sure if the RNATT applies to you? Check your country's current rabies classification at wahis.woah.org, or use our Pet Travel Checker.

4. 4
   UAE Import Permit (MOCCAE)

   An import permit issued by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) is mandatory and must be obtained before your pet travels. The permit is applied for online via the MOCCAE portal. It is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Allow 2–4 weeks for processing.

5. 5
   Official Health Certificate + Export Endorsement

   An official health certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by your origin country's official veterinary authority. It must include microchip number, vaccination records, RNATT results (if applicable), and owner details. Valid for a maximum of 10 days before travel. Allow 7–10 working days for the official endorsement.

Breed Restrictions: Which Dogs Cannot Enter the UAE?

The UAE maintains a formal list of dog breeds that are prohibited from entering the country. This is enforced by MOCCAE and applies across all emirates, though individual emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah) may have additional or slightly different local rules. Cats have no breed restrictions in the UAE.

Dogs of the following breeds — or dogs that are predominantly of these breeds — are prohibited from UAE entry:

Brachycephalic Breeds (Flat-Faced Dogs and Cats)

French Bulldogs, Pugs, English Bulldogs, Boxers, Persian cats, and other brachycephalic animals are not prohibited from entering the UAE — but they face significant airline restrictions. Both Emirates and Etihad apply specific rules for brachycephalic breeds in cargo, and embargo periods may apply during summer months due to heat. Confirm your pet's eligibility with the airline before booking.

Dogs vs. Cats: Requirements at a Glance

Airlines: Flying Your Pet to Dubai

All pets travelling to the UAE fly as cargo — there is no cabin option. Most airlines that operate routes to Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer pet cargo services, but policies vary significantly by airline, breed, season, and crate size.

Dubai vs. Abu Dhabi: Does It Matter?

Dubai (DXB) and Abu Dhabi (AUH) are separate emirates with separate airports, approximately 140km apart. The destination emirate affects which airline is most convenient and how crate delivery is arranged after the flight. Emirates flies to DXB; Etihad flies to AUH. Confirm your delivery arrangements — including who picks up the pet at the airport — before travel day.

Timeline: How Long Does It Take?

The minimum preparation time is 16–20 weeks from the day you start, assuming no complications. The critical path item is the RNATT — if required for your origin country, you cannot compress the 90-day waiting period. Everything else (permit, health cert) fits within that window if started promptly.

Common Mistakes — and How to Avoid Them

• Starting too late. The 90-day RNATT wait is the most common reason pet relocations to the UAE are delayed. People assume the process is quick and book flights before the waiting period is over.
• Not checking the breed list. The UAE's prohibited breed list is extensive. Assuming your dog is permitted without confirming against the current MOCCAE list can result in refusal at the airport.
• Forgetting the import permit. The MOCCAE permit is not part of the standard vet process — it must be applied for separately, online, before travel. Many pet owners don't know it exists until it's too late.
• Booking flights before cargo space is confirmed. Pet cargo space is separate from passenger booking and can sell out. Confirm first, book second.
• Using a non-approved laboratory for the RNATT. The test must be done at a WOAH/OIE-approved lab for your origin country. Using an unapproved lab means the result is invalid and the process must restart.
• Letting the rabies vaccination lapse. If the rabies booster lapses after a passing RNATT result, the result may become void and retesting may be required.