Destination Sheet: United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Last verified: 23 February 2026
Competent health authority: Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE)
Official URL: https://www.moccae.gov.ae/en/services/export-import-services/import-permit-pets.aspx

Overall destination classification

Regulatory model

Model C: no general quarantine, with retention authority. UAE does not apply routine quarantine at official stations, but MOCCAE exercises strict inspection authority at all points of entry. Any documentary discrepancy or clinical sign detected on arrival authorises the authority to immediate deportation of the animal or its retention at the cargo terminal, with all costs borne by the owner.

Rabies status of the destination country

Endemic. Virus presence controlled but not eradicated in local wildlife.
Source: WOAH — https://www.woah.org/en/disease/rabies/

Country-of-origin classification system

Yes. UAE divides countries into two categories: Low-Risk Countries and High-Risk Countries. This classification determines whether the animal requires serological titre and the applicable waiting periods.
Verification URL: https://www.moccae.gov.ae/en/services/export-import-services/import-permit-pets.aspx

Peru is classified as high risk, as it does not appear in MOCCAE Annex 1 of exempt countries. Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico, among others, share this category in Latin America. Owners travelling from any of these countries are subject to the same reinforced requirements detailed in this sheet.

Requirements for dogs

Microchip

— Required standard: ISO 11784 / ISO 11785 (MOCCAE, https://www.moccae.gov.ae/en/services/export-import-services/import-permit-pets.aspx).
— Must it be implanted before vaccination? Yes. Any vaccine or serological test performed before microchip identification lacks legal validity before MOCCAE.
— If the chip was implanted later: vaccination must be repeated after implantation, fully respecting the new immunisation periods.

Rabies vaccination

— Mandatory: Yes.
— Minimum age for vaccination: 12 weeks (3 months) (Ministerial Resolution No. 448 of 2017).
— Minimum post-vaccination period: 21 days for primary vaccination before sample collection for RNATT (MOCCAE Import Guide 2026).
— Recognised validity: 1 year. If the vaccine is 2 or 3 year, MOCCAE requires that the annual booster be documented or that it comply with the manufacturer's current vaccine regulation. For import from high-risk zones, annual cycle applies.
— Accepted vaccine types: inactivated or recombinant. Attenuated live virus vaccines are not accepted.
— If expired: the process is invalidated. The animal must restart the vaccination cycle and serological test from scratch.

Rabies antibody titre (RNATT)

— Mandatory: Yes, for animals from Peru and all Latin American countries classified as high risk.
— Minimum threshold: Not identified in primary regulation consulted the exact numerical value with verified direct URL today. Consult directly: https://www.moccae.gov.ae/en/services/export-import-services/import-permit-pets.aspx
— Minimum post-vaccination period for sample collection: 21 days after vaccination (MOCCAE Import Guide).
— Post-result waiting period: 90 days (3 months) from the sample collection date. The animal cannot enter UAE until these 90 days have fully elapsed (MOCCAE Annex for Non-Designated Countries).
— Accredited laboratory list: laboratories with internationally recognised WOAH ISO 17025 accreditation. URL: https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/scientific-expertise/reference-laboratories/
— If the result is below threshold: mandatory revaccination and test repetition after 21 days.

Other vaccines required by primary regulation

• Canine Distemper Virus (CDV).
• Canine Parvovirus.
• Infectious Canine Hepatitis.
• Leptospirosis (Canicola and Icterohaemorrhagiae).

The same logic applies to all Latin American countries of origin. Each national zoosanitary authority requires its own complete vaccination scheme to certify export, regardless of what the destination country requires. Without that scheme, the country-of-origin authority does not issue the certificate and the process cannot proceed.

Antiparasitic treatments

— Mandatory: Yes.
— Required substances: Praziquantel (internal antiparasitic) and Fipronil or Permethrin (external antiparasitic) (MOCCAE Health Certificate Model; Ministerial Resolution No. 448).
— Time window: within the 14 days prior to the date of arrival in UAE.
— Who applies and documents: registered veterinarian, with certification in the International Health Certificate.

Health certificate

— Official name: International Health Certificate for Export of Pets to UAE.
— Who may issue it: official veterinarian of the national health authority of the country of origin. In Peru: SENASA.
— Validity time window: 10 days from issuance until arrival in UAE.
— Does it require endorsement? Yes, mandatory by the governmental health authority of the country of origin.

Official entry document

— Exact name: Import Permit.
— Who issues it: MOCCAE, via digital portal.
— Time window: valid for 30 days from issuance. Import of a maximum of 2 pets per person per year is permitted under this permit.
— URL: https://www.moccae.gov.ae/en/services/export-import-services/import-permit-pets.aspx

Mandatory digital forms

— Import Permit Application: MOCCAE portal. Mandatory before travel.
— Customs Declaration: customs portal of the arrival emirate (Dubai or Abu Dhabi).

Quarantine

— Mandatory: No, if all requirements are met.
— Conditional: Yes, for documentary or health non-compliance detected at the point of entry.
— Facilities: cargo terminals (Dubai Cargo Village / Abu Dhabi Cargo Terminal).
— Cost: entirely borne by the owner.
— What may prolong it? Incomplete documentation, serological result below threshold, or clinical signs on arrival.

Breed restrictions

Yes. Annex 2 of Ministerial Resolution No. 448 of 2017 prohibits entry of the following breeds and their crosses: Pit Bull Terrier (American Pit Bull, American Staffordshire, American Bully), Mastiffs in all varieties (Brazilian, Argentine, Tibetan, French, English, Neapolitan), Tosa Inu, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, Presa Canario and Boxer. Any morphologically identifiable cross with the above is equally prohibited.

Minimum age for entry

For animals from Peru and high-risk Latin American countries: approximately 7 months, due to the 90-day post-serology waiting period plus the minimum vaccination age of 12 weeks and the 21-day post-vaccination period for sample collection (Ministerial Resolution No. 448 of 2017).

Mandatory transport modality

Pets cannot travel as cabin baggage or as excess hold baggage with passenger. UAE requires all animals to enter as Manifest Cargo (air cargo manifest). This requirement is operational and must be coordinated with an authorised air cargo agency before any documentary procedure.

Requirements for cats

Microchip

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Rabies vaccination

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Serological titre (RNATT)

Same as dogs — see previous section. The 90-day waiting period and serological threshold apply equally to cats from high-risk countries.

Other vaccines required by primary regulation

• Feline Panleukopenia (FPV).
• Feline Rhinotracheitis (FHV-1).
• Feline Calicivirus (FCV).

Antiparasitic treatments

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Health certificate

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Official entry document

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Mandatory digital forms

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Quarantine

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Breed restrictions

Not identified in primary regulation consulted for cats. All domestic breeds are permitted.

Minimum age for entry

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Variations by country of origin

Differentiated requirements by origin?

Yes.

Risk classification system

MOCCAE own list based on regional health risk. Low-risk countries do not require RNATT or 90-day waiting period. High-risk countries —including Peru and most of Latin America— must comply with the full protocol including serology and wait. Verification URL: https://www.moccae.gov.ae/en/services/export-import-services/import-permit-pets.aspx

Situation of Peru and Latin America

Peru is a high-risk country. Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and most Central American and Caribbean countries share this classification in the region. The requirements detailed in this sheet apply fully to any case originating in these territories. Outside the region, the same category applies to most of Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East.

Transit through third countries

If the animal transits through a high-risk country for more than 24 hours, it must meet the health requirements of that transit country. If transit is less than 24 hours and the animal does not leave the controlled international airport area, it maintains the requirements of the country of origin.

Common errors

ERROR 1: Non-compliance with the 90-day post-RNATT waiting period

What happens: the owner schedules the flight upon receiving the laboratory result without waiting the full 90 days from sample collection. Common in cases from Peru, Colombia and Brazil where the result arrives quickly and is confused with travel clearance.
Regulatory consequence: border rejection and immediate return at owner's expense (MOCCAE Annex for Non-Designated Countries).
How to prevent it: count 90 calendar days from the blood collection day, not from the result date.

ERROR 2: Attempt to import banned breeds

What happens: the Import Permit is applied for for an animal whose morphology matches the MOCCAE Annex 2 list, including undeclared crosses or animals registered with different names.
Regulatory consequence: Import Permit denial or customs seizure with no possibility of immediate appeal (Ministerial Resolution No. 448 of 2017, Annex 2).
How to prevent it: verify Annex 2 before initiating any procedure. Dubai inspectors are trained for phenotypic breed identification, regardless of the name in the documentation.

ERROR 3: Import Permit expired due to flight delay

What happens: the permit is valid for 30 days and any delay in flight confirmation or date change invalidates it.
Regulatory consequence: documentary delay, need to reissue the permit and possible administrative fine.
How to prevent it: apply for the Import Permit only when the flight date is confirmed and fixed.

ERROR 4: Use of laboratory not recognised by MOCCAE

What happens: the titre test is performed at a laboratory with general international accreditation but not included in those recognised by UAE.
Regulatory consequence: nullity of the test and forced quarantine on arrival.
How to prevent it: use exclusively WOAH/ISO 17025 accredited laboratories verified before sample collection.

ERROR 5: Animal transported as baggage instead of cargo

What happens: the owner coordinates the journey with the airline under hold or cabin baggage modality, unaware that UAE requires Manifest Cargo for all pets without exception.
Regulatory consequence: rejection on landing at the destination airport, with retention at the cargo terminal at owner's expense.
How to prevent it: coordinate with an authorised air cargo agency from the start of the process, before any documentary procedure.

Minimum timeline from scratch

Scenario A — Animal with microchip and current vaccination (vaccine more than 21 days old)

— Day 0: sample collection for RNATT and dispatch to WOAH/ISO 17025 accredited laboratory.
— Day 10-15 (approx.): receipt of positive result.
— Day 75: application for Import Permit to MOCCAE (valid 30 days).
— Day 77-80: issuance of International Health Certificate and endorsement by SENASA (or equivalent in each country).
— Day 77-90: antiparasitic treatments (within 14 days prior to arrival).
— Day 91: minimum suitable date for shipment to UAE.
— Minimum total time Scenario A: 3 months from sample collection.

Scenario B — Animal with no prior history, from scratch

— Day 0: ISO microchip implantation + rabies vaccine + polyvalent vaccines (minimum age 12 weeks completed).
— Day 21: sample collection for RNATT (minimum 21 days post-vaccination).
— Day 31-36 (approx.): receipt of positive result.
— Day 96: application for Import Permit to MOCCAE.
— Day 107-111: antiparasitic treatments.
— Day 112: minimum suitable date for shipment.
— Minimum total time Scenario B: approximately 4 months from scratch.

Authorised points of entry

Yes, there is a point-of-entry restriction. Entry is only permitted through international airports with MOCCAE inspection office.

Official URL: https://www.moccae.gov.ae/en/services/export-import-services/import-permit-pets.aspx

Authority directory

Cited applicable regulation

1. Federal Law No. 8 of 2013 — Concerning the Prevention and Control of Animal Infectious Diseases. Federal legal framework for health control in UAE. URL: https://www.moccae.gov.ae/en/laws-and-legislations.aspx — Verified: 23 February 2026.
2. Ministerial Resolution No. 448 of 2017 — Regulating the Importation of Cats and Dogs. Establishes microchip, vaccination, RNATT, antiparasitic treatment, banned breed and 90-day waiting period requirements. URL: https://www.moccae.gov.ae/en/laws-and-legislations.aspx — Verified: 23 February 2026.
3. MOCCAE Administrative Decision 2024 — Updates on high-risk country lists and accredited laboratories for serology. URL: https://www.moccae.gov.ae/en/services/export-import-services/import-permit-pets.aspx — Verified: 23 February 2026.

The Emirates is a zero-tolerance destination, but its logic is different from Japan or Australia. Here the critical point is not the complexity of the process itself, but the accumulation of parallel requirements that must be met simultaneously: the 90-day period, the 30-day validity permit, the 14-day antiparasitics, and air cargo coordination. If one of these deadlines gets out of sync, the case collapses in the final stretch. What most surprises colleagues with experience in other destinations is the banned breed list and the rigour with which it is applied in Dubai: inspectors identify phenotypes, not just names in the animal's passport. A Staffordshire registered as mixed breed does not pass. The other element that many underestimate is the mandatory nature of Manifest Cargo: no pet travels as baggage to UAE, without exception, and coordinating that logistical process requires time and specialised operators. Starting the process without a clear transport scheme is the error that most delays cases in practice.

This profile was verified against primary official sources on February 23, 2026. Requirements may change without prior notice. Always verify directly with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) before initiating any export process.