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Country entry guide · Middle East

Traveling to the United Arab Emirates with your dog

Difficulty: Moderate — advance import permit required ⏱ Several weeks to a few months

The United Arab Emirates welcomes pet dogs, but entry runs through the country's own scheme, not the EU framework. Every dog needs an import permit obtained online in advance from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) before it travels. On top of the permit, your dog must have an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, other core vaccinations and parasite treatment, and a government veterinary health certificate. Dogs coming from countries the UAE classes as high-risk for rabies must also pass a rabies antibody test. The exact path depends on the country your dog is travelling from and its rabies status. This guide explains the permit, the tests, the age limits, the yearly pet quota and the banned breeds so you know what to prepare before you book.

📋 At a glance

Dogs allowed	Yes (non-banned breeds)
Import permit (MOCCAE)	Required in advance
Microchip	Required
Rabies vaccination	Required
Rabies antibody test	Conditional — high-risk origins
Veterinary health certificate	Required
Quarantine	Not routinely required
Banned breeds	Several breeds prohibited

⚠️ Important

MyDogCanFly provides general information — not veterinary or legal advice.
Only a veterinarian can confirm the exact procedure for your individual dog.
Requirements depend on: the country of origin, previous travel history, identification, vaccinations, the itinerary and the travel date.

Always consult your veterinarian before booking your trip.

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Find a flight to United Arab Emirates

Compare the airlines that accept dogs and check their conditions.

🔎 Find a flight to United Arab Emirates

🧭 How your dog's entry requirements are decided

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Country of destination — United Arab Emirates★★★★★
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Country of departure★★★★★
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Countries your dog recently stayed in★★★★☆

✅ Entry requirements

Requirement	Required?	Exceptions	Official reference
MOCCAE import permit	Required	No dog may enter without a valid permit.	MOCCAE — Import of pets (cats/dogs)
ISO microchip	Required	None — identification is mandatory for every imported dog.	MOCCAE — Import of pets (cats/dogs)
Rabies vaccination	Required	The microchip must already be in place; otherwise the animal is re-vaccinated.	MOCCAE — Import of pets (cats/dogs)
Rabies antibody test	Conditional	Not required for dogs coming from countries the UAE classes as low-risk (approved list).	MOCCAE — Import of pets (cats/dogs)
Other vaccinations & parasite treatment	Required	None documented.	MOCCAE — Import of pets (cats/dogs)
Government veterinary health certificate	Required	None — an authorised certificate must accompany every dog.	MOCCAE — Import of pets (cats/dogs)
Minimum age / puppies	Required	Younger puppies cannot meet the rabies requirements and cannot be imported.	MOCCAE — Import of pets (cats/dogs)
Maximum pets per person per year	Limited	Larger movements fall under commercial import rules, not personal import.	MOCCAE — Import of pets (cats/dogs)
Border check / port examination	Required	None.	MOCCAE — Import of pets (cats/dogs)
Quarantine	Not routinely required	Non-compliant or high-risk animals may be held, refused or returned at the owner's expense.	MOCCAE — Import of pets (cats/dogs)
Banned / restricted breeds	Prohibited	Service, assistance and medical-use dogs may be exempt if they meet the regulating conditions.	u.ae — Banned and restricted goods; Federal Law No. 22 of 2016

🗓 In what order, and when

Some steps only count once the previous one is done — check each deadline against the official reference above.

MOCCAE import permitApplied for online via MOCCAE before the dog travels; valid 90 days from issue. A dog cannot be imported on an expired permit.
ISO microchipPermanent microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination; the chip number must match the health certificate.
Rabies vaccinationGiven at 12 weeks of age or older; for a first vaccination at least 21 days must pass before travel. A valid booster needs no 21-day wait.
Rabies antibody testRequired from high-risk countries: sampling by a laboratory accredited by the exporting country's authorities, result at least 0.5 IU/ml. Test is valid one year while the vaccination stays current.
Other vaccinations & parasite treatmentCore vaccinations current per the manufacturer's validity; preventive treatment for internal and external parasites within the 14 days before shipment, recorded in the certificate or passport.
Government veterinary health certificateIssued by the competent government veterinary authority of the exporting country; records the microchip, vaccinations and parasite treatment.
Minimum age / puppiesAt least 12 weeks old from an approved low-risk country; at least 15 weeks old from a high-risk country (to allow vaccination and the antibody test).
Maximum pets per person per yearPersonal import is capped at 2 dogs, or 2 cats, or one dog and one cat, per person per year.
Border check / port examinationAnimals are examined at the port of entry on arrival against the permit and certificate.
Banned / restricted breedsImport of listed dangerous breeds (pit bull types, mastiff types, Tosa and others) is not allowed.

🌍 Rules according to your dog's origin

From the EU

Approved low-risk country — no blood test

If your dog leaves a country the UAE classifies as low-risk for rabies (its approved list includes many EU states, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and others), it needs the MOCCAE import permit, an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, core vaccinations, parasite treatment within 14 days of travel and a government health certificate. No rabies antibody test is required, and the minimum age is 12 weeks.

⏱ From an approved low-risk country: about 3–4 weeks — microchip, rabies vaccination valid 21 days after a first shot, parasite treatment and the MOCCAE import permit.

Approved high-risk country — antibody test required

From a country the UAE classifies as high-risk for rabies, add a rabies antibody test: a sample taken by a laboratory accredited by the exporting country's authorities, with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. The test is valid for one year as long as the vaccination stays current. The minimum age is 15 weeks. The permit, microchip, vaccinations, parasite treatment and government health certificate are all still required.

⏱ From an approved high-risk country: add a rabies antibody test — plan several weeks to months for sampling, laboratory results and permit.

From a non-listed country

Country not on the approved list

MOCCAE only authorises imports from countries on its approved list, and that list changes with the global animal-health situation. If your dog is travelling from a country that is not approved, import may be refused or require special case-by-case approval. Check your dog's origin against the current MOCCAE approved-countries tool before making any plans.

⏱ From a country not approved by MOCCAE: import may be refused or require special approval — timing is case-by-case and cannot be assumed.

🛬 Arrival

What happens when your dog reaches the UAE depends on your permit and the country you flew from.

The import permit must be issued by MOCCAE before you travel and be still valid (90 days) on the day of entry.
Animals are examined at the port of entry against the permit, microchip and health certificate.
Carry original documents, including the government veterinary health certificate and vaccination records.
If documents are missing or invalid, or the breed is banned, the animal may be held, refused entry or returned — at the owner's expense.
Personal import is limited to 2 dogs, or 2 cats, or one dog and one cat, per person per year.

🛫 Leaving the country (return trip)

The UAE is a listed country, so no rabies titer is needed to return — but you must obtain a MOCCAE export veterinary health certificate for your dog.

On site, before the flight Apply through the MOCCAE digital portal for the export/re-export veterinary health certificate; it is issued after examination of the dog and is valid 30 days from issue (processing about 1 working day).

⚠️ Arrange the MOCCAE certificate close to departure so it is still valid on arrival; the separate EU health certificate is completed by your vet.

🔗 Authority: MOCCAE

🚫 Restricted dogs

The UAE prohibits the import and private possession of a list of dangerous dog breeds under Federal Law No. 22 of 2016 on the possession of dangerous animals and its customs rules. The ban targets specific breeds and their crosses; it does not depend on an individual behavioural assessment.

Category 1

Banned from import: Pit Bull types (American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bully), Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino (Argentinian Mastiff), Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff), and mastiff-type breeds such as Boerboel, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Dogue de Bordeaux, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tibetan Mastiff, Bully Kutta and Perro de Presa Canario. Wolf hybrids and other cross-breeds of dangerous animals are also prohibited.

Category 2

There is no lighter 'permitted with conditions' category for these breeds at the border: their import is refused outright. Exemptions apply only to genuine service, assistance and medical-use dogs that meet the regulating conditions.

Because a dog that resembles a listed type risks refusal, confirm your dog's breed and any cross before applying for the permit. The approved-breed position can change; verify with MOCCAE.

✈️ Airlines flying to United Arab Emirates with a dog

Carriers we document that serve this country and accept dogs. The verdict is the airline's general policy — it does not prejudge your breed, your crate or your exact route.

Emirates🇦🇪 2 airports Hold Etihad Airways🇦🇪 1 airport Cabin ≤8 kg Eurowings 3 airports Cabin ≤8 kg Turkish Airlines 2 airports Cabin ≤8 kg British Airways 2 airports Cargo only Qatar Airways 2 airports Hold

+39 more documented airlines accept dogs to this country. 3 carriers serving this country are not listed here: refusal or undocumented pet policy. See all airlines →

🛂 Airports in United Arab Emirates

Check where your dog can relieve itself at each airport — and whether it's before or after security.

Abu Dhabi AUH Dubai DWC Dubai DXB

United Arab Emirates with a dog: common questions

United Arab Emirates: What does my dog need to enter?

United Arab Emirates requires: MOCCAE import permit, ISO microchip, Rabies vaccination, Other vaccinations & parasite treatment, Government veterinary health certificate.

United Arab Emirates: Is a rabies antibody test required?

United Arab Emirates — Rabies antibody test: Conditional. Required from high-risk countries: sampling by a laboratory accredited by the exporting country's authorities, result at least 0.5 IU/ml. Test is valid one year while the vaccination stays current.

United Arab Emirates: Are any dog breeds banned?

United Arab Emirates: How long does it take to prepare a dog?

From an approved low-risk country: about 3–4 weeks — microchip, rabies vaccination valid 21 days after a first shot, parasite treatment and the MOCCAE import permit. From a country not approved by MOCCAE: import may be refused or require special approval — timing is case-by-case and cannot be assumed.

United Arab Emirates: Do domestic flights have the same requirements?

Domestic flight in the United Arab Emirates: no internal movement permit exists for pets. The federal ministry issues import, transit and export permits only — nothing for moving a pet between emirates.…

United Arab Emirates: What is needed to leave with a dog?