Pet Travel Hub · MOCCAE documentation
MOCCAE is the UAE federal ministry responsible for the permits and veterinary documentation used when pets enter or leave the country. For UAE pet travel, start with the official service information, confirm the current requirements for your specific origin or destination, and make sure every document matches the pet’s microchip details before travel.
Requirements and airline acceptance can vary by route, pet, travel date, and operating carrier. Confirm the current official and airline rules before travel.
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MOCCAE is the UAE federal authority for animal health at the border. Its role in a relocation is distinct from municipal pet registration: it is concerned with the travel documentation, inspection, and clearance process for a specific journey.
| Document or service | Travel direction | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Import permit | Into the UAE | Pre-travel approval for the incoming pet. The permit is valid for 30 days from issue. |
| Release permit | Into the UAE | Airport release following the required clearance process. |
| Veterinary health certificate | Out of the UAE | Travel documentation for a UAE departure, prepared against the destination’s requirements. |
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Government fees and requirements can change. The confirmed figures below relate only to release permits; airline charges, veterinary work, destination certificates, crates, laboratory tests, and other Ministry services are separate.
| Service | Confirmed current figure | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| MOCCAE import permit | Valid for 30 days from issue | Apply against a confirmed travel plan so the permit remains in date. |
| Release permit — dog | AED 500 per dog | This is the confirmed airport release-permit fee. |
| Release permit — cat | AED 250 per cat | This is the confirmed airport release-permit fee. |
| Export veterinary health certificate | Confirm current fee and applicable service | The small-consignment and standard-fee split was not confirmed, so no price is stated here. |
RelocateMyPet guide
RelocateMyPet guide
RelocateMyPet guide
The MOCCAE Digital Services portal is the official starting point for current permit and certificate services. Before applying, prepare readable documents and compare the microchip number character by character across every record. Do not rely on an old checklist if the travel date, country, or airline has changed.
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At Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), animal-clearance availability is 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Before booking, still confirm with MOCCAE or the relevant handler which terminal and collection process applies, and the exact documents required for release. For pets travelling with Emirates through Dubai, use the Dubai Municipality Cargo Village contact details below and reconfirm the current arrangements before travel.
| Location and scope | Current contact or availability | Before travel |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) | Animal-clearance availability: 24 hours a day, seven days a week. | Confirm the applicable terminal, handler, documents, and collection process for the specific flight. |
| Dubai Municipality Cargo Village — pets travelling with Emirates | Telephone: +971 4 283 4340 Hours: Mon–Thu 07:30–19:00; Fri 07:30–12:00; Sat 09:00–14:00; Sun closed. | Confirm current hours and the Emirates cargo-handling and collection instructions before the flight. |
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Frequently asked questions
MOCCAE provides the UAE travel-document services used for pet imports and exports. For an incoming pet, that includes the import permit and the airport release process. For an outgoing pet, the exact travel certificate service depends on the destination’s requirements. Confirm the current service list and required uploads through the official digital-services portal before applying.
The confirmed release-permit fee is AED 500 per dog and AED 250 per cat. Other Ministry, airline, veterinary, laboratory, crate, customs, and destination-country costs are separate. The relevant Ministry service and fee must be checked in the official portal for the particular journey before payment or booking.
The UAE import permit is valid for 30 days from issue. Time the application against a confirmed travel plan so the pet can travel within that window. If a flight date moves, check the permit validity and all related certificate dates immediately rather than assuming they remain valid.
At AUH, animal-clearance availability is 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Confirm the applicable terminal, handler, documents, and collection process for the specific flight. For pets travelling with Emirates through Dubai, Dubai Municipality Cargo Village can be reached on +971 4 283 4340. The supplied public hours are Monday–Thursday 07:30–19:00, Friday 07:30–12:00, Saturday 09:00–14:00, and Sunday closed; reconfirm them before travel.
It depends on the current MOCCAE requirements for the pet’s origin country. For the US-origin UAE process, USDA APHIS requires a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml; a new or lapsed vaccination must be followed by at least 21 days before sampling. Confirm the current country-specific rule directly before travel.
Use the official MOCCAE Digital Services portal to review the current permit and certificate services, applicant requirements, and required document uploads. Prepare clear copies of the vaccination record, health documentation, identification, and any origin- or destination-specific evidence before starting, then check every issued document against the microchip number.
The current document list depends on the origin country, but planning usually starts with an identifiable microchip, current vaccination records, any required rabies titre evidence, a government-endorsed health certificate, and the UAE import permit. The original authority and operating airline should confirm the complete travel file for your route.
Start with the destination country’s import rules, then check the pet’s microchip and vaccination records, any required tests or permits, airline acceptance, crate requirements, and the current MOCCAE export-document service. Work backwards from the destination’s longest timing requirement rather than booking a flight before the file is ready.
A more considered move begins here
Tell us the origin, destination, species, breed, approximate size, and travel month. We will help you identify the official checks and the practical order for your pet’s move.