Pet Transport from the UK to the UAE – Rules and Official Requirements

Required Documents

UAE Import Permit and Pet Release

Before travelling from the United Kingdom to the United Arab Emirates with a cat or dog, the owner must obtain an official Import Permit from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE).

Importing a pet involves two separate procedures: obtaining permission to bring the animal into the UAE and arranging its veterinary release upon arrival.

These procedures have separate government fees.

1. Import Permit: Permission to Bring Your Pet into the UAE

• The application must be submitted online through the official MOCCAE portal.
• The application should be submitted through the pet owner's MOCCAE account.
• The Import Permit is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
• The pet must arrive in the UAE before the permit expires.
• A maximum of two pets per person may be imported annually, except for UAE-resident pets returning to the country, subject to the applicable conditions.
• The official Import Permit fee is AED 200 per animal, whether it is a cat or a dog.

Once the Import Permit has been issued, the next stage is to prepare the application for the animal's release.

2. Release Permit: Veterinary Clearance Upon Arrival

Obtaining an Import Permit does not mean that all veterinary formalities have been completed.

A separate Release Permit procedure is required before the animal can be released following its arrival in the UAE.

The official MOCCAE release fees are:

• Dogs: AED 500 per animal.
• Cats: AED 250 per animal.

After obtaining the Import Permit, the owner or authorised representative should prepare the release application through the MOCCAE electronic system.

For UK to UAE travel, we recommend completing the online release submission at least 24 hours before departure, allowing time for the application to be processed and any outstanding questions to be resolved.

In practical terms, the procedure involves:

1. Obtaining the approved UAE Import Permit.
2. Preparing the required veterinary documents and checking that the information matches the Import Permit.
3. Submitting the release application through the MOCCAE system.
4. Paying the applicable release fee.
5. Checking that the application has been accepted for further processing.
6. Completing the veterinary inspection and final release formalities upon arrival in the UAE.

During the process, the application may display the status “Pending Review/Inspection by Veterinarian”.

This means that the application is awaiting the relevant veterinary review or inspection. It does not mean that the animal has already been released.

The final Release Permit is issued following the required checks at the UAE port of entry.

3. Official UAE Government Fees for Cats and Dogs

For one dog, the total MOCCAE Import Permit and Release Permit fees are AED 700.

For one cat, the total MOCCAE Import Permit and Release Permit fees are AED 450.

These are official UAE government fees only. They do not include the UK Export Health Certificate, veterinary clinic charges, air transport, airport handling charges or professional assistance.

The fees are charged per animal. If travelling with more than one pet, the relevant fees apply to each animal separately.

4. Preparing the Application Correctly

Although the online application may appear straightforward, the details entered must agree with the veterinary documents used for the journey.

Particular attention should be paid to the animal's microchip number, vaccination records, identification details, the owner and any authorised accompanying person.

If a professional pet courier accompanies the animal, the owner's written authorisation and the courier's details must also be prepared correctly.

The exact documentation and sequence of approvals can depend on the journey, the accompanying person and the arrangements made with the airline or charter operator.

For owners unfamiliar with the process, checking everything before submitting the final application can prevent unnecessary delays.

If you would prefer someone to review the documents before departure, LISKO TRAVEL TOUR offers professional veterinary document checks, assistance with travel documentation and complete pre-flight support.

You can request a veterinary document check or professional assistance here.

This can be particularly useful when travelling with a pet courier, using a private or shared charter, or arranging a journey involving more than one country.

Microchipping

All pets must be identified by a permanent microchip.

• The chip number in the Health Certificate must exactly match the implanted microchip.
• The vaccination document or pet passport must also show the microchip number and the pet's full identification details.

Rabies Vaccination

Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies.

• The pet must be at least 12 weeks old when the rabies vaccination is given.
• For an initial rabies vaccination, more than 21 days must elapse before export.
• If the pet has a valid booster, the 21-day waiting period is not required.
• Under the current UK 3926EHC, the pet must be at least 15 weeks old at export.
• Vaccination records must include: vaccine name, manufacturer, batch number, date, and validity period.

Rabies Antibody Titer Test

A rabies antibody titer test is not required for pets traveling from the UK.

Additional Required Vaccinations

• For Dogs: Distemper, Parvovirus, Infectious Hepatitis, Leptospirosis (or an approved laboratory test if the exporting country does not vaccinate against Leptospirosis).
• For Cats: Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus.

Health Certificate

For dogs and cats travelling from the UK to the UAE, the official 3926EHC Export Health Certificate is required. It must be certified by a UK Official Veterinarian. The animal must be clinically examined within 24 hours before export and found fit to travel. The certificate is valid for 10 days.

Parasite Treatment

Internal and external parasite treatment must be administered less than 14 days before shipping and recorded in the Veterinary Health Certificate or pet passport. The current 3926EHC requires an anthelmintic containing Praziquantel for internal parasites and treatment with Fipronil or Permethrin for external parasites, as appropriate and prescribed by the veterinarian.

Transport Conditions

Pets must be transported in accordance with IATA requirements. The permitted transport method depends on the airline or flight operator and may include manifested cargo, cabin travel where permitted by the carrier, or private/shared charter.

Travelling with a Pet Courier

If the pet is accompanied by a professional pet courier rather than the owner, MOCCAE requires an Authorisation Letter signed by the pet owner permitting the courier to handle and accompany the pet. The courier's full details should also be entered in the “Notes” section when applying for the UAE Import Permit.

Additional Restrictions for Certain Cat Breeds

Importing Bengal cats and servals as pets requires a pedigree certificate proving at least five generations of ancestry.

Breed Restrictions

The following breeds are prohibited from import, except where permitted for service, emotional support, or medical purposes under the applicable UAE requirements:

• ❌ Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• ❌ American Pit Bull Terrier
• ❌ American Staffordshire Terrier
• ❌ American Bully
• ❌ Brazilian Mastiff (Fila Brasileiro)
• ❌ Argentinian Mastiff (Dogo Argentino)
• ❌ Tibetan Mastiff
• ❌ Neapolitan Mastiff
• ❌ French Mastiff (Dogue de Bordeaux)
• ❌ Boerboel
• ❌ Bullmastiff
• ❌ Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff)
• ❌ Bully Kutta (Alangu Mastiff, Indian Mastiff)
• ❌ Presa Canario / Perro de Presa Canario (Canary Mastiff)
• ❌ Japanese Tosa

Our Services

• Pre-Travel Consultation
• Pet Travel Document Check
• Pet transportation with a courier
• Complete Pet Travel Documentation