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Dubai
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Middle East and Asia

Pet travel to Dubai

MOCCAE import permit and breed-restriction pre-clearance.

Clearance & Entry

What's required to enter.

  • 1

    MOCCAE import permit (Ministry of Climate Change and Environment)

  • 2

    ISO microchip

  • 3

    Core vaccinations including rabies

  • 4

    External and internal parasite treatments

  • 5

    Health certificate signed within 7 days and endorsed by government veterinarian

  • 6

    Breed clearance (restricted breeds require additional approval)

National Requirements

These are the official entry rules for United Arab Emirates.

Read our step-by-step compliance guide covering every document, timing window, and government contact for United Arab Emirates.

Full United Arab Emirates guide
Expert Notes

Dubai has a list of banned dog breeds that require additional approval. We pre-screen breed eligibility before any planning begins. DXB airport has a dedicated animal handling facility with 24-hour oversight.

— Paws en Route Compliance Team

Our process

How we handle Dubai.

01

Documentation Review

We audit every certificate, vaccination record, and microchip date against the exact requirements for Dubai.

02

Permit Filing

Our team files all import permits and advance notifications on your behalf, tracking approval status in real time.

03

Veterinary Coordination

We work with your vet or our partner clinics to issue compliant health certificates timed precisely to departure.

04

Airport Concierge

A dedicated chaperone manages customs inspection, APHIS or border authority clearance, and handover at destination.

Local Logistics

Getting your pet into Dubai.

Dubai International (DXB) has a dedicated 24-hour animal handling facility operated by Dubai Cargo Village. MOCCAE permit must be obtained prior to any flight booking. We pre-screen breed eligibility, apply for the MOCCAE permit, and coordinate the DXB airport reception team.

Entry Airports

Dubai InternationalDXBDubai Al MaktoumDWC

At a glance

Lead time

21–60 days

RegionMiddle East and Asia
Airports
Dubai InternationalDXBDubai Al MaktoumDWC
Complexity
Moderate

Ready to travel to Dubai?

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Getting Around

Navigating Dubai with your pet.

One of the biggest anxieties of pet travel is local transit. Here's everything you need to know before you land.

Public Transit

Dubai Metro does not permit animals without an enclosed carrier in the Gold or Silver car. In practice, Careem and Uber are the standard for pet travellers — specify pet-friendly at booking.

Private Cars

Our Dubai network of executive SUVs operates 24/7. DXB Airport transfers confirmed against your MOCCAE permit clearance time. All breeds accepted with advance notice.

On Foot

Walking in Dubai is heat-dependent. We provide time-specific guides to the cooler months (November–March) and the pedestrian-friendly zones around JBR, Safa Park, and Al Barsha.

Private Ground Transport

Climate-controlled, GPS-tracked fleet. Seamless door-to-door service between cities or to your final destination.

Pet-Friendly Dining

Eat out, dog in tow.

Verified dog-welcoming restaurants, cafés, and markets in Dubai. Policy notes confirmed by our local team.

Terrace Dining

Netscafe & Grill

Jumeirah

Beach-side café with large terrace; dogs welcome at outdoor tables with advance notice.

Casual

The Lime Tree Café

Jumeirah Beach Road

One of Dubai's original dog-friendly cafés; outdoor garden seating, water bowls on request.

Market

Ripe Market

Al Quoz

Weekend outdoor market — one of the most dog-friendly gathering spaces in Dubai.

Supply & Stores

Pet food & supply stores

Big Box

ZooMall Pet Shop

Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

Largest premium pet food selection in Dubai; stocks Science Diet, Royal Canin, and prescription ranges.

Premium Pet Boutique

The Pet Shop Dubai

Village Mall, Jumeirah, Dubai

Curated imported premium brands; bilingual staff who understand export feeding documentation.

Local Infrastructure

Know before you land.

Emergency resources, export-certified clinics, and vetted boarding — vetted and saved before departure.

Emergency Vet

Veterinary Hospital Dubai

Al Khawaneej Rd, Dubai 78866

12 km from Downtown

+971 4 285 5555

24/7

Export Clinic

Prime Veterinary Hospital JLT

Cluster D, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai

5 km from Marina

+971 4 557 3399

Mon–Sat 9:00–21:00

Boarding & Daycare

Barking Lot Dog Hotel Dubai

Al Quoz Industrial Area 3, Dubai

8 km from Mall of the Emirates

+971 4 327 1500

Daily 7:00–20:00

Get a Quote

Get a custom quote for Dubai.

We handle the flights, the veterinary compliance, and the door-to-door logistics. Tell us where you're starting from, and we'll calculate the route to Dubai.

Travelling to

Dubai

Pet type

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Paws en Route Concierge

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Your Preparation Timeline

We build a personalised calendar for Dubai: permits, vet appointments, and health certificates timed precisely to your departure window so nothing expires before you board.

Local Intelligence, Pre-loaded

Vetted stays, pet-safe transit routes, and emergency contacts, all curated for Dubai and confirmed before you land, so your first day is calm.

FAQ

Common questions about Dubai.

Everything you're likely wondering before you start the process.

More in Middle East and Asia

Paws en route offre servizi professionali di trasporto e trasferimento di animali domestici in tutto il mondo. I nostri specialisti certificati IATA coordinano il trasporto internazionale di animali, cani e gatti verso 150+ destinazioni — gestendo conformità veterinaria, sdoganamento e consegna porta a porta a livello globale.

IPATA — The Pet Shipping Experts