UAE Pet Registration 2026: How to Register and License Your Cat or Dog

Last updated: Jul 4, 2026

Table of Contents

Importing a cat or dog into the UAE: the basics

To bring a pet into the UAE you need an import permit from MOCCAE, issued before your pet travels. The permit is the single most important document — without it, your pet can be refused at the border.

According to MOCCAE, the import permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issue, and pets cannot be imported on an expired permit. Confirm the validity window when you apply, as processing rules are updated periodically.

Each person may import a maximum of two companion animals per year, with an exception for resident pets returning to the country.

The application is submitted online through the MOCCAE services portal. The import permit costs around AED 200 per pet as of mid-2026.

Banned breeds will be denied entry regardless of paperwork — check the restricted list before you book anything (covered in the final section).

Step-by-step: getting your pet import-ready

Start at least three to four months before travel — the rabies timeline alone can take months and cannot be rushed.

Here’s the order most relocations follow, based on official APHIS export guidance and MOCCAE requirements:

Microchip first: Implant the microchip before any vaccinations, so every record ties to the chip number.
Vaccinate: Complete rabies and core vaccines (see the next section for the full list).
Rabies titer test if required: Needed for pets from high-risk countries, with a mandatory waiting period afterward.
Apply for the MOCCAE permit: Submit online once vaccinations and any titer test are done.
Get the health certificate: Issued by the exporting country’s authority shortly before departure.
Book cargo travel: Arrange an IATA-compliant crate and a manifested cargo booking.

Many travellers fly their pets in on the national carriers. You can check schedules for Emirates and Etihad Airways on Wego, or search flights to Dubai to plan around the cargo booking.

Each airline has its own live-animal cargo process, so confirm crate and booking rules directly with the carrier before you commit to dates.

Vaccinations, microchip and the rabies titer test

Every imported pet needs a microchip, core vaccinations and a current rabies shot — and pets from higher-risk countries also need a rabies antibody (titer) test.

Per APHIS guidance for the UAE, dogs require core vaccination against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis. Cats require FVRCP, covering feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia.

Rabies vaccination must be given when the pet is at least 12 weeks old and at least 21 days before travel, and the vaccination must still be within its validity period, with the vaccine details recorded in the pet’s passport or vaccination book.

The rabies titer test (FAVN/RSNT) is the step that catches people out. Here’s how it works:

Who needs it: Pets arriving from countries not classified as rabies-controlled, according to APHIS.
The threshold: The result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml.
Timing of the blood draw: For a first rabies vaccination (or one whose validity has lapsed), no earlier than 21 days after vaccination. The sample must be collected no more than 12 months before travel.
The waiting period: Your pet cannot enter the UAE until at least three months after the blood sample was taken.

Pets from countries with recognised rabies-control programmes — including the UK, Germany, Australia, Japan, Singapore and New Zealand — are generally exempt from the titer test. Always confirm your specific country’s status before assuming you can skip it.

Registering and licensing your pet inside the UAE

Once your pet is in the country, registration with your local authority is mandatory — and the rules now differ sharply between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Dubai

Dubai Municipality requires every cat and dog to be microchipped, vaccinated and licensed annually. Registration is done at a licensed veterinary clinic, which uploads your details to the municipality.

According to current Dubai Municipality guidance, the registration fee is AED 10 for dogs and cats, with microchipping from around AED 50 plus a knowledge and innovation fee and VAT.

You’ll need your Emirates ID or passport with a valid residence visa, your pet’s vaccination card, and the pet’s details including microchip number. Failing to register can bring a fine from AED 150 to AED 500 for a first offence.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi made pet registration mandatory from 3 February 2025 through the TAMM platform, under the Department of Municipalities and Transport.

Registration itself is free, but a microchip alone does not count — your pet must be formally registered via a licensed vet who submits the data to TAMM.

Per Khaleej Times, individuals had a one-year grace period from launch, while establishments had six months to register. Gulf News reports that unregistered pets can draw a fine of up to AED 1,000.

Registration must be renewed every year, with the certificate tied to your pet’s vaccination schedule.

Banned breeds, public rules and fines

Several dog breeds are banned outright in the UAE and will be refused at import, so check the list before relocating with a dog.

Banned and restricted breeds are regulated under Federal Law No. 22 of 2016 and the MOCCAE list. Commonly prohibited types include:

Pit bull types (banned): Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and American Bully.
Mastiff types (banned): Brazilian (Fila Brasileiro), Argentinian (Dogo Argentino), Neapolitan, Tibetan and others.
Other fully banned breeds: Japanese Tosa and Perro de Presa Canario.
Restricted (ownership permitted with conditions): Rottweilers, Dobermans and Boxers require a permit, registration, and strict handling rules but are not banned for import.
Crossbreeds: Any hybrid of the above, and wolf-dog hybrids.

Public-space rules apply to all dogs once you’re here. Dogs must be leashed in public at all times, and restricted breeds must also be muzzled.

Penalties under Federal Law No. 22 of 2016 are steep, with fines for unleashed dogs running into the tens of thousands of dirhams. Keeping your pet registered, leashed and within the breed rules is the simplest way to stay compliant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my pet fly in the cabin with me to the UAE?

No. Pets must enter the UAE as manifested cargo in a climate-controlled hold. Cabin travel and checked baggage are not permitted for imports.

How long does the whole import process take?

Plan for three to four months. The rabies titer test for high-risk countries requires a blood draw at least 21 days after vaccination, then a mandatory three-month wait before entry.

Is pet registration free in Abu Dhabi?

Yes, registration through the TAMM platform is currently free. Unregistered pets can be fined up to AED 1,000.

Do I need to register a pet that already has a microchip?

Yes. A microchip is required but does not count as registration on its own. You must formally register through your emirate’s authority via a licensed vet.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.