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Pet travel from the United States to the United Arab Emirates

What you need, in order

  1. Microchip recorded (ISO 11784/11785)
  2. Rabies vaccination valid
  3. 21-day wait after a primary or lapsed rabies vaccination
  4. Rabies antibody titre (RNATT ≥ 0.5 IU/mL), ≤12 months before travel
  5. Canine distemper vaccination valid (Applies to: dog)
  6. Canine parvovirus vaccination valid (Applies to: dog)
  7. Canine infectious hepatitis (adenovirus) vaccination valid (Applies to: dog)
  8. Leptospirosis vaccination valid (Applies to: dog)
  9. Feline panleukopenia vaccination valid (Applies to: cat)
  10. Feline rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus) vaccination valid (Applies to: cat)
  11. Feline calicivirus vaccination valid (Applies to: cat)
  12. MOCCAE Model Veterinary Health Certificate (USDA-VS endorsed, ≤10 days)

Recommended lead time: start about 45 days before travel.

Requirements reviewed against the destination authority's published instructions on 2026-09-18. Steps decided outside Petra are listed below.

Last reviewed
2026-09-18
Recommended lead time
45 days
Ruleset
United Arab Emirates (MOCCAE)
Check my trip for this corridor

Requirements

  • Microchip recorded (ISO 11784/11785)
  • Rabies vaccination valid
  • 21-day wait after a primary or lapsed rabies vaccination
  • Rabies antibody titre (RNATT ≥ 0.5 IU/mL), ≤12 months before travel
  • Canine distemper vaccination valid

    Applies to: dog

  • Canine parvovirus vaccination valid

    Applies to: dog

  • Canine infectious hepatitis (adenovirus) vaccination valid

    Applies to: dog

  • Leptospirosis vaccination valid

    Applies to: dog

  • Feline panleukopenia vaccination valid

    Applies to: cat

  • Feline rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus) vaccination valid

    Applies to: cat

  • Feline calicivirus vaccination valid

    Applies to: cat

  • MOCCAE Model Veterinary Health Certificate (USDA-VS endorsed, ≤10 days)

Spotted something wrong? Report a correction.

Owner checklist

  • Apply for the MOCCAE import permit Required

    Online via the ministry portal before arrival. Pay the fee (AED 200 per head) and keep the permit (copy presented on arrival). The permit is valid for 90 days — apply close enough to travel that it hasn't lapsed, but early enough to clear before departure. Pets fly as manifested cargo.

  • Animals must be at least 15 weeks old Required

    Younger pets are refused. (This is 15 weeks, not 4 months — the rabies vaccination + 21-day titre timing pushes the practical minimum higher.) Confirm your pet meets this age before travel; Petra does not block readiness on age itself.

  • Parasite treatment within 14 days, recorded on the certificate Required

    Internal + external parasite treatment within 14 days of travel, noted on the MOCCAE health certificate.

  • Annual import quota: max 2 pets Required

    MOCCAE limits non-commercial pet imports to 2 animals per person per year. Confirm this trip doesn't exceed your annual quota; Petra does not track imports across trips or owners.

  • Check the banned-breeds list Required

    Pit-bull-type breeds and some others are refused entry to the UAE. Confirm your dog's breed is not on the restricted list; Petra has no breed data to check this itself.

    Applies to: dog

  • No rabies booster given after the titre was drawn Required

    If a rabies booster was given after the RNATT titre sample was drawn, the titre is invalidated and must be re-drawn (≥365-day validity applies only while the vaccination that was current at draw time remains current, with no intervening booster). Confirm no booster has been given since the titre sample; Petra does not track vaccination-vs-titre sequencing after the fact.

  • No mixing with other pet animals in transit Required

    If the shipment transits through another country, it must not mix with other pet animals during transit. Confirm your routing meets this; Petra does not track transit routing or mixing.

  • Bengal/Serval cats: fifth-generation pedigree certificate Required

    Bengal and Serval cats require a fifth-generation pedigree certificate to enter the UAE. Confirm this applies/is on hand if your cat is one of these breeds; Petra has no breed data to check this itself.

    Applies to: cat

Still decided outside Petra

  • The MOCCAE Model Veterinary Health Certificate is completed and USDA-VS endorsed outside Petra (Phase 2); Petra records that it was accepted, not that Petra issued it.
  • The MOCCAE import permit and the port-of-entry release inspection are MOCCAE's own external process; Petra records that you applied, not that MOCCAE approved or released the animal.

Primary sources

Spotted something wrong? Report a correction.

Frequently asked questions

How far ahead do I need to start?

Petra's recommended lead time for the United States to the United Arab Emirates is 45 days before travel.

Does my dog or cat need a rabies titer test?

Yes — Rabies antibody titre (RNATT ≥ 0.5 IU/mL), ≤12 months before travel.

How long is the health certificate valid?

MOCCAE Model Veterinary Health Certificate (USDA-VS endorsed, ≤10 days)

What is this based on?

Petra's United Arab Emirates (MOCCAE) ruleset for this corridor, last reviewed 2026-09-18 (see Primary sources below).

Is this verified?

Requirements reviewed against the destination authority's published instructions on 2026-09-18. Steps decided outside Petra are listed below.

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