How Do You Move a Dog or Cat from Dubai to the US, Canada or Australia?

Canada is the simplest of the three, the US is moderately complex for dogs and easy for cats, and Australia is the strictest and takes the longest. The UAE sits on the high-risk list for dog rabies in both the US and Canada, which affects how dogs are processed, and it is a Group 3 country for Australia.

Pet import rules change often, so confirm the current rules with the official agency for your destination before you book anything. You can also use our Pet Relocation Checker to see what applies to your pet.

Moving a Dog or Cat from Dubai to the United States

Dogs

Every dog entering the US must meet baseline requirements: be at least six months old, appear healthy, and have an ISO-compatible microchip implanted before any required rabies vaccination. The owner must also have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt.

The UAE appears on CDC’s list of countries considered high-risk for dog rabies, so a dog vaccinated in Dubai is treated as a foreign-vaccinated dog from a high-risk country. That means extra steps:

1. Rabies serology (titer) test. The dog needs a valid titer report from a CDC-approved laboratory. A vet must draw the blood sample at least 30 days after the first valid rabies vaccination and at least 28 days before US entry. Check the CDC’s approved laboratory list, as it can change. CDC recommends talking to your vet about collecting the blood sample at least 60 days before travel.
2. Foreign rabies certification form.A foreign vet completes the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, which must be endorsed by an official government veterinarian and completed no more than 30 days before travel.
3. Animal care facility reservation. Foreign-vaccinated dogs from a high-risk country must have a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility, and the dog must arrive at the US airport associated with that facility. See the CDC list of animal care facilities.
4. Quarantine if there’s no valid titer.Dogs without a valid serology test result must undergo a 28-day quarantine at a CDC-registered animal care facility.

For the full official process, see the CDC guidance for foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.

Cats

Cats are much simpler. There is no federal rabies vaccination requirement for cats entering the US, but they must appear healthy on arrival. However, some US states and territories have their own rabies vaccination requirements for cats, and airlines may also have requirements, so confirm your destination state and airline before you travel.

Moving a Dog or Cat from Dubai to Canada

Canada is the most straightforward of the three for a pet travelling with its owner.

• Rabies vaccination certificate.Cats and dogs from countries that are not rabies-free need a rabies vaccination certificate in English or French, and animals under three months are exempt from vaccination.
• No blood test.No rabies blood test is required for cats. The CFIA’s own guidance also doesn’t list a titer test for dogs.
• Usually no permit or microchip for personal pets.A microchip is not federally required for personal pets, and most owners of a personal dog or cat won’t need an import permit, since the rabies certificate and a border inspection are usually enough.
• Puppies travelling without their owner.Dogs under 8 months travelling without their owner have additional requirements, including a veterinary exam and core vaccines.

Important: personal pets vs commercial dogs

Commercial dogs from countries at high risk for dog rabies are no longer permitted entry into Canada. This doesn’t affect a personal pet travelling with its owner, but it does affect commercial or rescue imports from those countries. If you’re moving a rescue or a dog for adoption or resale, check with the CFIA first.

Check the CFIA pet import rules before you finalise your plans. Airlines can also add their own conditions.

Moving a Dog or Cat from Dubai to Australia

Australia has the toughest pet import system of the three. The UAE is on Australia’s Group 3 list of approved countries, so pets can leave Dubai directly, but only after a long preparation process.

1. Rabies vaccination, blood test and the 180-day wait. Group 3 imports require current rabies vaccination, continuous residence in an approved country for at least 180 days before export, and a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT). The 180 days are counted from the date the RNATT sample arrives at the laboratory. The 180 days is not a quarantine period, and your pet can live with you during this time. Rabies vaccination and tests for cats and dogs coming to Australia +2
2. Optional identity check.An identity check reduces quarantine for Group 3 pets from a minimum of 30 days to a minimum of 10 days. It must happen before the RNATT blood sample is collected. Ask your vet about this at the start.
3. Import permit.Applications should be made at least 42 days before export.
4. Country-specific health certificate. Cats and dogs must be accompanied by a country-specific veterinary health certificate when imported to Australia. All pre-export preparations for Group 2 and 3 countries must be done by a government-approved veterinarian.
5. Quarantine in Melbourne.Post-entry quarantine takes place at the Mickleham facility in Melbourne, so your pet will fly into Melbourne.
6. Banned breeds.Some pure-breed dogs are banned from Australia, including the dogo Argentino and fila Brasileiro.

Middle East note:The Australian Department of Agriculture advises pet owners affected by the Middle East conflict to contact the department for advice on their specific situation, and says its import requirements for pets from Middle Eastern countries have not changed. Contact them before starting, because the timeline depends on the 180-day wait.

The official Group 3 guide for dogs and Group 3 guide for cats set out every step.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Starting too late for Australia. The 180-day wait can’t be shortened.
• Treating the US like the UK. For dogs from the UAE, you need a titer test and an animal care facility reservation, and cheap flight routings may not land at an approved airport.
• Forgetting the UAE side. You’ll also need the UAE export paperwork, which should be confirmed with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
• Microchipping after vaccinating. The chip should go in first so the vaccination records match your pet.
• Ignoring airline rules. Airlines set their own acceptance conditions, including crate requirements and seasonal or temperature restrictions.
• Booking the flight before the paperwork is confirmed.

How ISS Relocations Can Help

Getting a pet abroad means coordinating vets, labs, government paperwork, airline space and flight timing. ISS Relocations offers end-to-end pet relocation from Dubai, and your pet can travel alongside the rest of your household move through our international relocation service.

Start with our Pet Relocation Checker, then read our destination pages for moving to the USA, moving to Canada and moving to Australia. Our moving tips and moving guide cover the household side of the move. We can also help with storage and transit insurance while you sort out the paperwork.

To budget your whole move, try the ISS Move Estimator. When you’re ready, request a free quote or contact our team on +971 505532291 or enquiry@iss-relocations.com.

FAQs

Which country is easiest for moving a pet from Dubai? Canada, because a personal pet usually needs just a rabies vaccination certificate and a border inspection.

Does my dog need a blood test to enter the US from Dubai? Yes, in practice. The UAE is on the CDC high-risk list, so foreign-vaccinated dogs need a titer from a CDC-approved lab. Without it, they must spend 28 days in quarantine.

Do cats have to meet CDC rules to enter the US? No. Cats have no federal rabies requirement, but state and airline rules can apply.

How long does it take to move a pet from Dubai to Australia? Plan for roughly 8 to 9 months, driven by the 180-day wait after the blood test, plus permit processing, flights and quarantine.

Does my pet go into quarantine in Australia? Yes. All pets spend a minimum of 10 days in quarantine in Melbourne, or 30 days if you skip the identity check.

Can I take my pet in the cabin? Rules vary by airline and destination, and many routes require pets to travel as checked baggage or cargo. Check this early.

Can I move a rescue dog from Dubai to Canada? Not if it counts as a commercial import. Commercial dogs from high-risk countries, which includes the UAE, are not permitted entry.