Jordan – Importing a Pet

Does Jordan allow pets to be imported, and are there restrictions on which animals are permitted?

Jordan does permit the importation of pets, though owners must comply with a defined set of rules and conditions before bringing their animals into the country. For standard domestic dogs and cats, the process is entirely manageable with adequate preparation. Compared to the strict biosecurity regimes of countries such as Australia or New Zealand, Jordan’s requirements are considerably less burdensome, placing it broadly in line with many other nations in the Middle East.

Wolf hybrids, Savannah cats, and Bengal cats are not eligible for import under standard domestic pet regulations unless they are at least fifth generation removed from their wild ancestry. These crossbred animals are treated differently because of their partial wild animal heritage, in much the same way that many countries classify exotic hybrids under wildlife protection laws rather than ordinary pet import rules.

While the majority of common household pets face no blanket species ban when entering Jordan, certain dog breeds — including Pit Bulls and Staffordshire Terriers — are reported to be prohibited from entry. Exotic animals and wildlife require a special permit from the Jordanian authorities and cannot be brought in under standard regulations. If your pet falls into a legally uncertain category, you should verify its admissibility directly with the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture well before making any travel arrangements.

Owners of pets other than dogs and cats — such as birds, reptiles, amphibians, rabbits, and rodents — are subject to a distinct set of regulations and should seek advice specifically tailored to their species. Requirements for these animals can differ considerably from those for cats and dogs, and some may be subject to additional permits or stricter border controls.

What vaccinations and health requirements do pets need before entering Jordan?

Because Jordan is categorised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) as a high-rabies-risk country, the vaccination requirements for entering pets are non-negotiable. Unlike countries classified as rabies-free or low-risk — such as Japan or the United Kingdom — Jordan does not offer any relaxation of its rabies vaccination requirements on the basis of where your pet has come from.

All dogs and cats over three months of age must have received a rabies vaccination no earlier than 21 days and no later than 12 months before entering Jordan. Multi-year rabies vaccinations are not treated as valid for the full period of their licence — Jordan recognises them only for one year from the date of administration, regardless of the vaccine’s stated duration (as of 2024). This is an important practical point that can catch owners off guard.

Rabies antibody titer test results or letters from a vet exempting a pet from vaccination are not accepted as a substitute for proof of rabies vaccination in Jordan. This sets Jordan apart from certain other destinations — such as Australia or Japan — where a titer test is central to the import process. In Jordan, what matters is the vaccination record itself.

Dogs must additionally be vaccinated against distemper, canine hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis. Cats must have protection against feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. These core vaccinations are standard recommendations from most international veterinary organisations and should already be part of your pet’s ongoing health regime regardless of any travel plans (as of 2024).

Jordanian authorities also require that dogs and cats be free from both internal and external parasites, with appropriate treatment administered within 14 days before the flight. Your veterinarian can provide the necessary anti-parasite treatments and document them on the health certificate.

It is also worth planning ahead for when you eventually leave Jordan with your pet. Because Jordan has no approved rabies testing laboratory and is classified as a high-rabies-risk country by WOAH, a titer test is likely to be required by your next destination country. Having this test completed before you depart for Jordan is strongly advisable, as arranging it from within Jordan is not straightforward.

What is the application process for importing a pet into Jordan, and what paperwork is required?

Every step required to meet Jordan’s pet import regulations must be completed in your country of origin before you depart. There is no opportunity to correct missing or invalid documents once you have arrived. With adequate lead time, the full process generally takes between two weeks and one month, depending on how quickly veterinary appointments, government endorsements, and any necessary permits can be arranged.

1. Microchip your pet. All dogs and cats travelling to Jordan should be fitted with a microchip. The recommended format is a 15-digit chip complying with ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785. It is best practice to have the microchip implanted before any vaccinations are administered, as most countries globally require the chip to have been in place prior to vaccination.
2. Administer all required vaccinations. The rabies vaccine must be given at least 30 days before travel and must have been administered after the microchip was implanted. Your pet must arrive in Jordan within one year of the rabies vaccination date. Your vet should also ensure coverage of all required additional vaccines for your pet’s species — DHLPP for dogs and FVRCP for cats.
3. Administer anti-parasite treatment. Your pet must be treated against internal and external parasites within 14 days of the flight. Ask your vet to document this treatment clearly on the health records.
4. Obtain a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian. A health certificate is mandatory for entry into Jordan and must carry an official endorsement from a government veterinarian within 14 days of the pet’s arrival. Only original paper documents are accepted — digital or photocopied versions are not recognised by the Jordanian authorities. In most countries, this means taking your vet-issued certificate to a government body such as a national agriculture department for an official stamp.
5. Apply for an import permit if shipping your pet as cargo. If your pet is travelling as unaccompanied manifest cargo, an import permit is required and takes approximately 3–5 working days to be issued (as of 2024). Applications are submitted to the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture, and your documents should be submitted at least two weeks before your pet’s scheduled arrival in Jordan.
6. Confirm arrangements with your airline. Airlines maintain their own rules for transporting live animals that run alongside, but independently of, government regulations. Check your airline’s carrier size and weight limits, any breed-specific restrictions, and whether temperature-related embargoes are in place for the period you intend to travel.
7. Present your documents at the border. Upon arrival, Jordanian veterinary officials will inspect your pet. Provided all paperwork is in order, no quarantine is required. Keep all original documentation readily accessible throughout the journey and at the point of entry.

Does Jordan require pets to undergo quarantine on arrival?

Pets arriving in Jordan are not subject to mandatory quarantine, so long as all import requirements have been satisfied before departure. This places Jordan in a considerably more lenient category than countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan, where extended stays in government-run quarantine facilities are obligatory regardless of vaccination status or country of origin.

If a pet arrives without meeting the necessary requirements, the Jordanian authorities may place the animal in quarantine where facilities allow, return it to the country of origin, or in the most serious cases, authorise euthanasia — with the importing owner liable for all associated costs. The gravity of these potential outcomes makes thorough document preparation absolutely essential before travel.

For pets entering Jordan as unaccompanied air cargo, a period of home quarantine is required. In this situation, an import licence, certificate of origin, and permission for home quarantine must all be in place. Home quarantine is substantially less burdensome than quarantine in a government facility, but it does mean keeping your pet confined to your residence for a defined period after arrival. Confirm the precise duration and any specific conditions with the Ministry of Agriculture at the time of applying for your import permit.

Is Jordan part of any international pet travel scheme?

The phrase “pet passport” is sometimes used loosely in discussions about travelling to Jordan, but this should not be mistaken for the formal EU Pet Passport issued to pets resident in European Union member states. Jordan does not participate in the EU Pet Travel Scheme, nor does it have equivalent bilateral agreements with any comparable regional pet travel programme.

When people refer to a “pet passport” for travel to Jordan, they are in practice describing the bundle of documents required for entry — vaccination records, an import permit where relevant, and an officially endorsed health certificate from a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin. These requirements apply universally to all travellers, regardless of where they are coming from, meaning no fast-track route exists based on national membership of any scheme.

In practical terms, this means that a valid EU Pet Passport alone will not secure your pet’s entry into Jordan. You must obtain a separate government-endorsed health certificate prepared to Jordan’s own specifications and within its required timeframes, as detailed in the application process section above. For precise guidance on the correct document format, contact the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture or the Jordanian embassy or consulate nearest to your current place of residence before making any travel arrangements.

Do pet owners need to register or licence their pet after arriving in Jordan?

There are ongoing local obligations for pet owners once they have settled in Jordan. Licensing and registration requirements are administered at a municipal level, which means they vary depending on your place of residence within the country. The most comprehensive set of rules applies within the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), which encompasses the capital city and the surrounding administrative areas.

Under a by-law governing the GAM, any person wishing to keep a dog must submit an application for an ownership licence, provide a letter of consent from their neighbours, and produce the dog’s vaccination certificate. The neighbour consent requirement is a practical consideration that can take some expats by surprise, as it is not a feature of pet licensing systems in many other parts of the world.

Dog owners within the GAM must pay a non-refundable annual licensing fee of JD 20 to maintain their registration (as of 2024). This fee is modest and serves to support a municipal register of owned dogs. For the most current fee schedule, consult the official Greater Amman Municipality website directly, as amounts may be revised from time to time.

The by-law also specifies that pets must wear a collar bearing a card that identifies the owner and displays the licence number. This visible identification requirement sits alongside the microchip and serves as an immediately recognisable means of confirming ownership. Expats living in areas outside Amman should check with their local municipality, as regulations in other parts of Jordan may differ from those of the GAM.

Are there any additional rules or costs expats should be aware of when bringing a pet to Jordan?

Pets may be transported to Jordan in the aircraft cabin, as excess baggage, or as manifest cargo. The option available to you will depend on your airline’s policies, the size and weight of your animal, and its species. Smaller pets in an approved travel carrier may qualify for in-cabin transport, whereas larger animals will need to travel in the hold or be booked as separately arranged manifest cargo.

During the hottest months of the year, when temperatures in Jordan are at their most extreme, many airlines introduce embargoes on the carriage of live animals. Owners of brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds — such as Pugs, French Bulldogs, and Persian cats — are particularly likely to encounter airline-level restrictions during these periods. These breeds carry an elevated risk of respiratory distress in the heat and under cargo hold conditions, so most carriers apply specific policies to them even where Jordan itself imposes no direct entry ban. Plan your travel dates carefully and verify your airline’s breed and temperature policies well in advance of your intended departure.

Jordan’s pet import regulations do not formally cap the number of animals a single person may bring in, but airlines routinely limit the number of live animals per passenger or per booking. If you are relocating with several pets, you may need to arrange multiple shipments or identify an airline that can accommodate larger groups of animals in a single booking.

Inspection fees and customs handling charges at the border may vary depending on the port of entry and the manner in which your pet arrives. The Ministry of Agriculture handles pre-import clearances for live animals, and any fees connected to this process should be confirmed directly with the Ministry, as they are subject to change. Queen Alia International Airport in Amman is the principal point of entry for pets arriving by air, though land border crossings are technically available — verify which entry points are approved for your specific situation with the Ministry before travel.

Expats should also factor in the cost implications of eventually departing Jordan with their pet. While a rabies titer test is not needed to bring a pet into Jordan, it is very likely to be required when leaving, as most countries demand a titer test as part of their import process for dogs and cats. Given that Jordan has no internationally approved rabies testing laboratory, any such test must be arranged before arrival in Jordan or conducted at an accredited laboratory abroad.

Where can expats find official information about importing a pet into Jordan?

The principal authority governing pet imports in Jordan is the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). The Ministry is responsible for issuing pre-import clearances for live animals and oversees both import permits and veterinary entry requirements. Its official website is available at www.moa.gov.jo, and its offices in Amman can be contacted directly with questions about specific animals, breed admissibility, or the correct format for required documents.

The Humane Center for Animal Welfare (HCAW) in Jordan provides assistance with international travel documentation and is both recognised by the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture and authorised to issue animal health certificates. Its website at www.hcaw-jordan.org is a helpful resource for expats already living in Jordan who need support with outbound travel paperwork for their pets.

The Jordan Customs Authority manages clearance procedures at the border and operates a trade portal at tradeportal.customs.gov.jo, which sets out procedural requirements for importing live animals. This resource is especially relevant for those whose pets will be arriving as unaccompanied manifest cargo rather than travelling alongside them in the passenger cabin.

For those departing from specific countries, the national veterinary or agricultural authority in the country of origin is also an indispensable source of guidance. Travellers based in the United States, for example, can turn to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for information on endorsed health certificate formats that Jordan will accept. Equivalent bodies exist in most countries — check with your national ministry of agriculture or veterinary authority for the relevant procedure.

Finally, the nearest Jordanian embassy or consulate in your country of residence is always a sound first point of contact. Embassy staff can confirm what is currently required, direct you to the appropriate government department, and alert you to any recent changes in the regulations. Given that requirements can change with little advance notice, always verify all information with official sources immediately before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if my pet arrives in Jordan without the correct paperwork?

A pet that fails to meet Jordan’s import requirements may be placed in quarantine where facilities are available, sent back to its country of origin, or in the most serious cases euthanised, with all costs falling to the importer. These potential consequences make it absolutely critical to verify every element of your documentation — including endorsement stamps and certificate issue dates — before you depart. Do not rely on a single source of information; check requirements directly with the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture to be certain.

How long does the entire pet import process take from start to finish?

From beginning to end, the process generally takes anywhere from two weeks to a full month, depending on your individual circumstances. The key limiting factor is typically the rabies vaccination requirement — the vaccine must be given at least 21 days before entry but must also fall within the 12-month validity window. If your pet is not yet vaccinated, it is advisable to begin preparations six to eight weeks ahead of your planned departure to allow sufficient time for vaccinations, parasite treatments, health certificates, government endorsements, and, where applicable, the import permit.

Do the rules differ for cats versus dogs?

The fundamental requirements — microchipping, rabies vaccination, officially endorsed health certificate, and anti-parasite treatment — are the same for both cats and dogs. Where the rules diverge is in the additional vaccines required: dogs must receive the DHLPP combination covering distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza, while cats must be vaccinated against feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. Breed-specific restrictions also differ: wolf hybrids, Savannah cats, and Bengal cats may not be imported unless they are at least fifth generation removed from their wild lineage.

Can I import a rescue animal into Jordan?

There is no specific rule preventing the import of rescue animals, but exactly the same documentation requirements apply as for any other pet. The animal must be microchipped, fully vaccinated against rabies and all other required diseases, treated for parasites, and accompanied by an officially endorsed health certificate. The particular challenge with rescue animals is that their vaccination history may be incomplete or difficult to verify — gaps in documentation can lead to serious complications at the border. If you are importing a rescue animal from abroad, ensure every record is thorough and properly endorsed prior to travel.

Does Jordan have a rabies-free status?

No. Jordan is designated by the World Organisation for Animal Health as a high-rabies-risk country. This classification has consequences not only for entry into Jordan but also for your onward travel once you eventually leave. Most destination countries will require a rabies antibody titer test to confirm adequate immunity before admitting your pet, and because Jordan has no approved rabies testing laboratory, that test must be performed at an internationally accredited facility outside the country. Building this into your long-term planning from the outset is strongly advisable.

Do I need a pet relocation specialist to import my pet into Jordan?

Jordanian authorities do not mandate the use of a professional pet relocation service, but engaging one is widely recommended. Even minor errors in documentation can have serious consequences for both you and your animal. Experienced relocation specialists are well versed in current document formats, government endorsement requirements, and the various restrictions imposed by airlines — their involvement can substantially reduce the likelihood of errors or oversights. This is particularly valuable if your pet is travelling as unaccompanied cargo rather than with you in the cabin.

Are there restrictions on travelling to Jordan with a snub-nosed breed?

During the summer months, high temperatures in Jordan lead many airlines to suspend the carriage of live animals entirely. Owners of brachycephalic breeds — including Pugs, Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, and Persian cats — are especially likely to face delays or cancellations during this period. These breeds are considered higher risk in cargo environments due to their susceptibility to breathing difficulties in heat and pressurised conditions, and airline-level restrictions apply to them separately from any rules set by the Jordanian government. Always check your airline’s current policies on snub-nosed breeds and plan to travel during cooler seasons where this is possible.

Is there a limit on how many pets I can bring into Jordan?

Jordan’s import regulations do not specify a maximum number of pets per person. However, each animal must individually satisfy all documentation and health requirements, and airlines typically set their own limits on the number of live animals permitted per passenger or per booking. If you are moving to Jordan with multiple pets, contact your airline directly and consider whether staggering shipments over time might be a more practical approach. The Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture should be consulted for any specific guidance relating to the import of a large number of animals at once.