Are you considering moving to Dubai? Do you have a pet or pets at home in India? A common question for every paw parent is whether they can take their furry children with them to Dubai and what the relevant regulations and processes are.

The process of bringing your pet to Dubai can seem complex. However, thanks to the increasingly international and cosmopolitan nature of the city, Dubai is becoming more pet-friendly, and the number of public places, such as parks and restaurants, that welcome your furry friends is increasing each day. Although the requirements for bringing your pet to Dubai may feel a bit overwhelming, the continued companionship of your animal friend will make the effort worthwhile.

As per the current rules in the UAE, your pets are unfortunately not allowed to travel with you in the cabin of an aircraft or as add-on luggage. All pets need to be compulsorily shipped as manifested cargo as per regulations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Also do note that you are allowed to import a maximum of 2 pets per person to Dubai. The minimum age for the importation of dogs is 12 weeks, and for cats, it is 15 weeks.

What are the steps to follow to take my pet to Dubai?

Here we’ll guide you step-by-step through the process to bring your pet into Dubai. Do pay attention to detail as any slip-ups may result in your pet facing unnecessary travel delays, being rejected for entry, or being confiscated for non-compliance.

1. Microchip:

Dubai authorities identify your pet exclusively through a microchip. They do not accept any other form of identification. A microchip with an ID number and the registry’s phone number is implanted under the skin, in between the shoulder blades of your pet, with a large bore needle in a painless process that does not require the use of any anaesthesia. Your local vet can carry out this process if they have the microchip available. Normally, you will be expected to bring along the microchip, which you may buy from organisations like PAWsome, Whizzles and Pet Chip India, to name a few. Such microchips cost between Rs 1500 and Rs 2500.

The microchip implanted inside your pet should meet ISO Standard 11784 or ISO Standard 11785. In addition to microchips with the ISO standard, authorities in Dubai also accept microchips conforming to the AVID9 and AVID10 standards. The Customs officials will read the data on the microchip with a scanner to confirm the identity of your pet. Please ensure that you get the microchip implanted in your pet before your vet administers it with the rabies vaccine (described in the next step).

2. Vaccinations:

If you are importing your pet from a country with a low risk of rabies, then you need to ensure that your pet is vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before the date of arrival in Dubai. However, as India is considered to have a high risk of rabies, so you need to get your pet administered the rabies vaccine between 12 weeks to 12 months before the date of arrival in Dubai to allow the antibodies from the vaccine to develop in your pet. Additionally, you need to get your pet tested for rabies antibodies with a titer test at least 21 days after the rabies vaccination. This test needs to be carried out at a government-approved facility. The result of the blood test has to be at least 0.5 IU/ml.

Additionally, dogs being brought into Dubai mandatorily need to be administered the following vaccinations along with the rabies vaccination:

  • Canine Distemper Virus
  • Canine Parvovirus (DHLPP)
  • Infectious Canine Hepatitis
  • Leptospirosis
  • Parainfluenza
  • Bordetella (colloquially referred to as the ‘kennel cough’ vaccine)

Cats being brought into Dubai mandatorily need to be administered the following vaccinations along with the rabies vaccination:

  • Feline Panleukopenia (FVRCP)
  • Feline Rhinotracheitis
  • Feline Calicivirus

​3. Vaccination Records – Detailed and Updated:

As per the rules of Dubai, the vaccination record of your pet needs to be updated and must compulsorily contain the following details:

  • Date of birth of your pet
  • Registration number of the microchip
  • Date when the microchip was installed in your pet
  • The exact location in your pet’s body where the microchip has been implanted
  • Date of vaccination
  • Manufacturer of the vaccine
  • The name of the product (vaccine) along with the sticker to cross-check details
  • The batch number of the vaccine
  • The manufacture date of the vaccine and the date it is valid up to
  • The signature of the vet administering the vaccine
  • The owner’s contact details

4. Import Permit:

You will need to apply for a permit to import your pet from any other country into the United Arab Emirates. This permit usually takes between 3 days to 2 weeks to issue. The import permit is valid for a period of 1 month from the date of issue. You may apply for this permit from the official website of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change & Environment.

5. Parasite Treatment:

It is compulsory to get your pet preventive treatment for parasites, both internally as well as externally by an authorised vet in a period within a maximum of 14 days before the date of travel to Dubai. Deworming is done by using Praziquantel and external parasites are removed with the use of Permethrin or Fipronil.

6. Health Certificate – UAE:

You will require a MOCCAE health certificate issued by a government-approved vet in India.

7. Banned Breeds:

The import into the UAE of certain breeds of dogs deemed to be aggressive in nature is prohibited. The following breeds, both pure breeds and cross breeds, are prohibited in the UAE, including Dubai.

  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • American Pit Bull Terrier
  • American Staffordshire Terrier
  • American Bully
  • Mastiff – any breed
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Rottweiler
  • Doberman Pinschers
  • Canario Presa
  • Boxer
  • Any Wolf hybrids

8. Additional Regulations for Cats:

If you are importing a cat into Dubai, the health certificate requires an annexure with regard to COVID-19. The certificate states that the cat has not been in contact with any human or other animal infected with COVID-19 within at least 14 days from the date of shipping. In case it had come in contact with any such human or animal, the certificate is required to state that the cat was kept under supervised observation in isolation for the same 14 days, is free from any signs of illness of the respiratory system and has also been tested for COVID-19 within 96 hours of the date of shipping and the result of such a test has come out as negative.

9. Documentation of the Owner of the Pet:

The Government of India does not allow the relocation of any pet abroad without the owner of the pet being present there. To this effect, a copy of any of the following documents of the owner of the pet – passport, visa or air ticket – is to be mandatorily produced. The UAE will also require scanned copies of your passport, Emirates ID and UAE Residence Visa when you apply for the import permit for your pet.

10. Crate Training:

Your pet will be travelling to Dubai in a crate, and it is imperative that you get the correct size and train it so that it is comfortable. These crates must be approved by IATA and made of fibre. The size and the specifications of the crate will depend on the breed, age, and size of your pet. You can also enquire directly with specific airlines like Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airlines about their facilities and procedures for pet transport.

Costs Involved in Relocating Your Pets to Dubai

The costs involved in getting your pets relocated to Dubai are as follows:

  • Cost of permit to import your dog or cat (per pet): AED 200
  • Fees required to release your dog (per dog): AED 500
  • Fees required to release your cat (per cat): AED 250
  • Cost of IATA-approved crate: INR 2600 – INR 13500
  • Cost of microchip: INR 1500 – INR 2500

The prices may vary depending on your pet's size, travel duration, etc. So make sure to check the specific costs while planning relocation.

Pet Relocation Services in Dubai

While you may arrange for the complete documentation and follow the process of relocating your pet to Dubai by yourself, you may also consider using professional pet relocation services as they ensure end-to-end compliance and delivery. Similar to how there are dedicated professional services to help you move your household items from India to the UAE, these pet relocation companies ensure that your pet arrives at your doorstep safe and happy.

Some well known names in this space are:

The above companies will arrange all the paperwork and ensure that your pet is delivered to you from Dubai airport to your residence. You will just need to get your pet to the airport in India. These pet relocation companies take care of everything else. You can contact these relocation service companies to get an estimate of the costs involved. The typical range for a standard medium-sized dog is between INR30,000 and INR60,000.

Conclusion

While the process to get your pets to Dubai is long and can feel complicated, you can use professional pet relocation services to expedite the process. These companies will take care of all the requirements and provide door-to-door service for your pets. Do keep in mind that the weather is very hot in the months of June to August and these are not the best times to relocate your pets, especially in the daytime. Also, ensure that your accommodation is in a pet-friendly community in Dubai. We hope you and your pet family enjoy your new life in Dubai!