Country entry guide · Middle East
Traveling to the United Arab Emirates with your dog
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 |
⏱️ Estimated preparation time
Times are indicative. The rabies antibody test alone adds a fixed 3-month wait.
⚠️ 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.
Find a flight to United Arab Emirates
🧭 How your dog's entry requirements are decided
The exact documents depend on three things — the UAE (your destination) is only the first.
- 1 Country of destination — United Arab Emirates★★★★★
The UAE runs its own scheme: an advance MOCCAE import permit, an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, core vaccinations and parasite treatment, and a government health certificate are always required. Certain breeds are banned outright.
- 2 Country of departure★★★★★
Whether your dog leaves an approved low-risk country, an approved high-risk country or a non-approved country decides whether a rabies antibody test is required and whether import is even allowed.
- 3 Countries your dog recently stayed in★★★★☆
A recent stay in a high-risk or non-approved country can trigger the antibody test or block import even if you fly in from an approved country. Your dog's real origin and history count — not only the last airport.
So read the requirements below as the UAE's framework, then confirm your dog's exact origin, rabies-risk status and history with your vet before applying for the permit.
✅ Entry requirements
| Requirement | Required? | When | Exceptions | Official reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOCCAE import permit | Required | Applied for online via MOCCAE before the dog travels; valid 90 days from issue. A dog cannot be imported on an expired permit. | No dog may enter without a valid permit. | MOCCAE — Import of pets (cats/dogs) |
| ISO microchip | Required | Permanent microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination; the chip number must match the health certificate. | None — identification is mandatory for every imported dog. | MOCCAE — Import of pets (cats/dogs) |
| Rabies vaccination | Required | Given 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. | The microchip must already be in place; otherwise the animal is re-vaccinated. | MOCCAE — Import of pets (cats/dogs) |
| 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. | 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 | Core 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. | None documented. | MOCCAE — Import of pets (cats/dogs) |
| Government veterinary health certificate | Required | Issued by the competent government veterinary authority of the exporting country; records the microchip, vaccinations and parasite treatment. | None — an authorised certificate must accompany every dog. | MOCCAE — Import of pets (cats/dogs) |
| Minimum age / puppies | Required | At 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). | Younger puppies cannot meet the rabies requirements and cannot be imported. | MOCCAE — Import of pets (cats/dogs) |
| Maximum pets per person per year | Limited | Personal import is capped at 2 dogs, or 2 cats, or one dog and one cat, per person per year. | Larger movements fall under commercial import rules, not personal import. | MOCCAE — Import of pets (cats/dogs) |
| Border check / port examination | Required | Animals are examined at the port of entry on arrival against the permit and certificate. | 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 | Import of listed dangerous breeds (pit bull types, mastiff types, Tosa and others) is not allowed. | 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 |
🌍 Rules according to your dog's origin
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.
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.
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.
🛬 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.
🧳 Real traveller experience
No reliable documented traveller feedback available.
🚫 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.
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.
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.
✈️ National airlines
Carriers registered in this country that accept dogs — see each airline's MyDogCanFly fiche.
🛂 Airports in United Arab Emirates
Check where your dog can relieve itself at each airport — and whether it's before or after security.
🧾 Preparation checklist
- ☐MOCCAE import permit obtained online before travel (valid 90 days)
- ☐Microchip (ISO) implanted before the rabies vaccination
- ☐Valid rabies vaccination (dog ≥12 weeks at the shot, +21 days for a first vaccination)
- ☐Rabies antibody test ≥0.5 IU/ml — high-risk countries only
- ☐Core vaccinations current and parasite treatment within 14 days of travel
- ☐Government veterinary health certificate matching the microchip number
- ☐Confirm your dog's origin is on the MOCCAE approved-countries list
- ☐Confirm your dog is not a banned breed (pit bull, Tosa, Dogo Argentino, mastiff types, wolf hybrid…)
- ☐Airline reservation confirming your dog's travel option and suitable IATA crate
📚 Official sources
- MOCCAE — Import of pets (cats / dogs)
- MOCCAE — List of approved countries for importing live animals
- u.ae — Importing livestock and their products into the UAE
- u.ae — Banning private ownership of dangerous animals
- u.ae — Banned and restricted goods (customs)
- MOCCAE — Federal Law No. 22 of 2016 on the possession of dangerous animals