Pet relocation UAE: How to travel with your pet, documents and costs

If you’re a pet owner, and planning to relocate to or from the UAE, it’s important to ensure all your documents are in order, and all required procedures have been completed, so that your furry friend can join you in your travels.

But don’t wait till the last second. Figuring out the rules of air travel, getting documents attested, and vaccinations completed, can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start.

We’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know if you are taking your pet abroad from the UAE, or bringing your pet into the country:

Before we get into the application procedures, here’s a tip. You can skip the stress of the entire process by opting for licensed pet relocation services in the UAE. These agencies usually handle everything – from acquiring permits, to real-time video reports as your pet travels, and door-to-door pet delivery.

Before you book, however, ensure the company is certified by the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA), so that you can be confident it follows regulated safety practices.

Cost: The fees for such services typically cost between Dh3,500 and Dh15,000, depending on whether the move is regional or international, and the level of service you’re looking for.

The UAE has strict animal export requirements, in order to safeguard animal health as well as public safety. Moreover, many airlines that fly in and out of the UAE allow pets to travel, securely transported as cargo. As per UAE law, each owner may export up to two cats, two dogs, or one of each per year.

Every country has different rules, so it’s important to understand what paperwork is required by the destination country, before your pet can smoothly be transported. Here are the general requirements, related to travelling with your pet out of the UAE, according to the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE):

Pet microchip: Pets must be implanted with ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchips. This is crucial for pet identification and your pet will not be able to exit the country without a microchip. The microchip implant is completed before the pet’s rabies vaccination, in order to ensure accurate linking of pets to their vaccination records.

You can microchip your pet at any veterinary clinic, but remember to register your pet with the authorities: This can be done through the TAMM online portal in Abu Dhabi, and via the respective municipal websites in the other emirates. Microchipping typically costs between Dh150 and Dh200.

Vaccinations: Ensure your dog or cat’s vaccination record is up-to-date with their inoculations. The vaccinations should ideally be administered at least 21 to 30 days before travel, and can be conducted at any veterinary clinic or hospital in the UAE. Although some countries ask for a more comprehensive vaccination record, here are the typical requirements for UAE pets travelling abroad:

Some countries may also require a rabies antibody titre test, which can take several weeks to process, so it’s best to clarify this information with your destination country’s embassy.

Costs for vaccinations range between Dh80 to Dh250 for individual vaccines, and Dh300 to Dh450 for comprehensive packages that include consultations, rabies and core vaccines, deworming and booster shots.

Veterinary health certificate: Around 7 to 10 days before you travel (the number depends on the destination country’s regulations), you will need an official health certificate from a veterinarian at MOCCAE that declares your pet is fit for travel and free from contagious diseases.

The veterinary health certificate takes one working day to be issued electronically, is valid for 30 days, and costs Dh400. To apply, visit MOCCAE’s website: moccae.gov.ae.

Pet passport: Ensure you have your pet’s passport handy. Rather than one physical document, this is a compilation of various necessary documents for submission at the airport: your pet’s microchip details, health certificate, import/export permits, and your pet’s vaccination record. For pets travelling from the UAE, these documents collectively function as their pet passport – it’s vital for travel, and must always be up to date.

Import permit: You may require an import permit issued by the destination country’s authorities. Ensure that you check the specific requirements well ahead of the travel date.

The UAE welcomes pet owners, but has strict animal import requirements that need to be met before they are allowed to enter the country. Individuals are permitted to import a maximum of two animals during the year, with the exception of resident pets returning to the country.

To legally bring pets into the UAE, you will need:

Import permit: Issued by the MOCCAE, this document is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, and is necessary for your pet to clear customs and enter the UAE. In order to bring emotional support dogs to the country, there are additional considerations:

Customs declaration: A bill of landing showing the delivery information. You can obtain the customs declaration form from the MOCCAE website.

Pet passport: This is a compilation of your pet’s relevant information, such as microchip details, import/export permits, health certificate, and up-to-date vaccination record.

Veterinary health certificate: Issued by a licenced veterinarian within 10 days of travel, this document must be endorsed by the departure country’s official authorities. The certificate confirms that your pet is fit to travel and has met all vaccination requirements.

Rabies testing certificate (conditional): If you are travelling from a high-risk country, you will require a laboratory test certificate, attached to an antibody titration test for rabies. The test should be issued by a laboratory approved by the country’s authorities, and the result should not be less than 0.5 IU/ml.

For resident pets returning to the UAE, the MOCCAE has the following additional requirements:

Currently, Etihad Airways is the only UAE airline that allows small cats, dogs, and falcons to travel within the cabin, when arriving in, or departing from the country. Trained service dogs of all breeds and sizes are also allowed on board, if they have an official certification from Assistance Dog International (ADI) or International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF).

If you’d like to take advantage of their service, ensure you meet their eligibility criteria before booking.

Eligibility criteria:

The pet carrier must also meet certain criteria, so ensure you’ve picked out the right one for your pet.

Pet carrier requirements:

Cost: Although the service usually costs $1500 (Dh5,508), Etihad Airways has reduced its pet travel fee to $399 (Dh1,465) until May 31. This is separate from the cost of the seat ticket.

How to book: You must book at least seven days before your flight, by submitting a booking form via the airline’s website. If you’re flying into Abu Dhabi, you must have a release permit for your pet and submit a UAE health certificate at the airport. The certificate must be signed and stamped by a government-accredited health official in your country of departure, within five days before your flight.

As per UAE law, the following dog breeds cannot be brought into the country, with the exception of those used as service animals, emotional support animals or "for medical purposes and in accordance with the regulating requirements", according to MOCCAE.