United States → United Arab Emirates

Import permit issued in advance by MOCCAE through its website / digital-services account (online form and card payment; no documents to upload for pet dogs and cats). Issued in 1 working day (5 working days for service, emotional-support or medical dogs). Valid 90 days from issue; a pet cannot enter on an expired permit. USDA's page still says 30 days.

An individual may import at most 2 pets per year (2 cats, 2 dogs, or 1 dog and 1 cat). Resident pets leaving and returning to the UAE do not count.

Permanent microchip; the number on the health certificate must match the implanted chip. MOCCAE names no ISO standard.

Valid rabies vaccination given according to the manufacturer's instructions; the first dose at 12 weeks of age or older. The vaccination must stay valid through arrival (Canadian certificate) — a booster after the titer blood sample means a new titer test (MOCCAE). The 21-day minimum comes from the US, Canadian and UK certificates.

Rabies antibody titration test (method not specified) at a laboratory approved by the competent authority of the exporting country; result at least 0.5 IU/ml; the certificate shows sampling date, test date and method, or the result is written on the health certificate. Blood sample at least 21 days after a first vaccination or after a lapsed one; with a valid booster, any time after it. The test must be done before shipping — no waiting period after the sample is stated. The result stays valid 365 days if the rabies vaccination stays valid and no booster is given; otherwise the test must be repeated.

Dogs: canine distemper, canine parvovirus, infectious canine hepatitis and leptospirosis. Leptospirosis may be replaced by a laboratory test if the exporting country does not vaccinate against it. (The US and Canadian certificates specify leptospirosis serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae and Canicola.)

Treatment against internal and external parasites within the 14 days before shipment, recorded on the health certificate or in the pet passport.

Veterinary health certificate attested by the competent veterinary authority of the exporting country, with a statement that the animal was examined and showed no signs of disease; plus the vaccination record or pet passport showing microchip number, description (species, colour, sex, date of birth) and, for every vaccine, name, manufacturer, batch and date. MOCCAE states no validity period; the US, Canadian and UK certificates are valid 10 days from issue.

At least 15 weeks old on import (high-risk country).

Ship directly from the exporting country; if the pet passes through another country it must not mix with other animals in transit. The US and Canadian certificates carry an owner's declaration for this.

Transport in line with IATA rules for live animals (container). MOCCAE's texts do not say whether the pet must arrive as manifested cargo — see the US-only step below.

USDA says the pet must travel to the UAE as manifested cargo (not stated by MOCCAE).

On arrival: online release request and card payment (release fee 500 per dog, 250 per cat), visual inspection by MOCCAE at the port of entry, electronic release permit. Documents for release: customs declaration or bill of lading, vaccination record / passport, certified health certificate, and the titer test certificate.