Moving a dog or cat from the UK to the UAE means meeting two sets of rules: the UAE’s import conditions, set by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), and the UK’s export process, run through the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). In short, your pet needs an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, other core vaccines, parasite treatment, a UAE import permit, an export health certificate signed by an Official Veterinarian, and a booking as manifest cargo. Start at least two to three months before your move. This checklist sets out each step in order.
Important: UAE import rules change from time to time, and published guides do not always agree. Always confirm the current requirements with MOCCAE, your vet and your airline or pet transport company before booking.
At a glance: what your pet needs
| Requirement | What it involves | When |
|---|---|---|
| Microchip | 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 chip, implanted before the rabies vaccine | First step |
| Rabies vaccination | Valid vaccination given after microchipping; first-time vaccinations need time to become valid before entry | Ideally 2 to 3 months before travel |
| Core vaccines | Dogs: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis (DHPPi/L). Cats: FVRCP | Keep up to date |
| Rabies titre test | Check with MOCCAE whether it applies to pets travelling from the UK | Allow time in case it is needed |
| Parasite treatment | Internal and external treatment recorded by a vet | Within about 14 days of travel |
| UAE import permit | Applied for online through MOCCAE | Before travel, within its validity window |
| Export health certificate | Signed by a UK Official Veterinarian, issued through APHA | In the final days before departure |
| Flight | Manifest cargo in an IATA-compliant crate | Book early |
Before you start: check eligibility
- Age: pets must be at least 15 weeks old at the time of import.
- Breed: the UAE bans a number of dog breeds and their crosses, including the Pit Bull Terrier, American Bully, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Presa Canario, Brazilian Mastiff and wolf hybrids. Check MOCCAE’s current list before doing anything else.
- Number of pets: guides commonly state a limit of two pets per person per year. If you have more, another adult in your household may need to apply in their own name.
- Snub-nosed breeds: many airlines restrict or refuse brachycephalic dogs and cats (such as pugs, French bulldogs and Persians), and some apply hot-weather restrictions in summer. Ask your carrier early.
Two to three months before departure
Visit your vet and check the microchip
Book an appointment with your UK vet as soon as the move is confirmed. Ask them to scan the microchip and confirm it is a 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 chip. Dogs in England, Scotland and Wales must already be microchipped by law, and cats in England have needed a microchip since June 2024, but older chips may not be ISO-compliant. The chip number must appear on every document, so check it is recorded correctly.
Rabies and core vaccinations
Rabies vaccination must be given after the microchip is implanted. If your pet’s existing rabies jab was given before the chip, it will need to be repeated. For a first-time vaccination, guides generally state that at least 21 days must pass before entry. At the same time, make sure core vaccines are current: DHPPi/L for dogs and FVRCP for cats.
Ask about the rabies titre test
A rabies antibody (titre) test is a blood test showing that the vaccine has worked. The UAE has required it for pets from countries it classes as higher risk, where the sample is taken after vaccination, tested at an approved laboratory and followed by a waiting period. Several relocation sources say it is not required for pets coming from the UK, which is considered low risk, but sources are inconsistent. Confirm with MOCCAE or your relocation company. If it is needed, it can add months to your timeline, which is why checking early matters.
Choose how your pet will travel
Pets must enter the UAE as manifest cargo, not in the cabin or as checked baggage. You can book through an airline’s cargo division or use a specialist pet relocation company that handles bookings, paperwork and collection. Get quotes early, particularly for summer and school holiday periods when space is limited. Direct flights are kinder to your pet and reduce the risk of missed connections.
Crate training
Buy an IATA-compliant travel crate that allows your pet to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably. Leave it open in your living room, feed meals inside it and add familiar bedding so it becomes a safe place rather than a source of stress.
Four to six weeks before departure
- Apply for the UAE import permit online through MOCCAE. You will typically need your pet’s vaccination records, microchip details, a photo and your passport details (residents also give Emirates ID details). Permits have a limited validity, so time your application to match the travel date.
- Book the official vet appointment for the export health certificate. Not every vet practice has an Official Veterinarian, so check who will sign it.
- Confirm the flight booking and the airline’s documentation and crate requirements.
- Arrange accommodation in the UAE that permits pets; many rental buildings restrict pets or certain sizes of dog.
The final 10 days
Parasite treatment and health check
Your vet should treat your pet for internal and external parasites (worms, fleas and ticks) within about 14 days of travel and record it. The Official Veterinarian will then examine your pet to confirm it is fit to travel and free of signs of infectious disease.
Export health certificate
Pets leaving Great Britain for a non-EU country such as the UAE need an export health certificate (EHC). Your Official Veterinarian applies for it through APHA’s online service and completes and signs it, usually within a few days of departure. It must match the microchip and vaccination records exactly; small errors can lead to problems at Dubai or Abu Dhabi airport.
Document folder
- UAE import permit
- Signed export health certificate
- Vaccination records, including rabies
- Titre test report, if required
- Parasite treatment record
- Air waybill from the airline or cargo agent
Travel day
- Give a light meal several hours before check-in and allow water.
- Attach a water bowl to the crate door and tape a small bag of food to the top.
- Label the crate with “Live Animals” stickers, your pet’s name, your contact details and the destination address.
- Do not sedate your pet unless your vet specifically advises it. Airlines and pet transporters often refuse sedated animals because sedation can affect breathing and balance at altitude.
Arrival in the UAE
On arrival, officials scan the microchip, check it against your documents, and carry out a brief inspection. Pets from the UK with complete paperwork are not normally quarantined, but missing or incorrect documents can lead to quarantine or refusal of entry. After you settle in, register your pet locally (in Dubai, for example, through Dubai Municipality or a licensed vet), keep vaccinations current and remember that summer heat is dangerous for pets: walk dogs early in the morning or late in the evening.
Should you use a pet relocation company?
You can manage the process yourself, but many owners use a specialist because cargo bookings, timings and paperwork have to line up precisely. Del Oro Pets, for example, is a pet transport company that lists UK to UAE pet transport among its services: https://deloropets.uk/. Whichever provider you consider, ask what is included (vet coordination, crate, permit, flight, customs clearance and delivery), whether they belong to a recognised trade body such as IPATA, and for a written quote.
Moving home is also a good moment to deep clean before handing back a rental; our guide to pet stain removal and upholstery cleaning covers the essentials.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to move a pet from the UK to the UAE?
Allow at least two to three months to cover microchipping, rabies vaccination, the import permit and the export health certificate. If a titre test is required, allow longer.
Does my pet need a rabies titre test to enter the UAE from the UK?
Several relocation sources say it is not required for pets from the UK, but guidance is inconsistent, so confirm with MOCCAE or your relocation company before you plan your timeline.
Can my dog fly in the cabin to Dubai?
No. Pets must enter the UAE as manifest cargo, not in the cabin or as checked baggage.
Will my pet be quarantined in the UAE?
Pets from the UK with complete, correct documents are not normally quarantined. Missing or incorrect paperwork can lead to quarantine or refused entry.
Which dog breeds are banned in the UAE?
Banned breeds include the Pit Bull Terrier, American Bully, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Presa Canario, Brazilian Mastiff, wolf hybrids and their crosses. Check MOCCAE’s current list.
