Saudi Arabia – Importing a Pet

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

All live animal imports into Saudi Arabia fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA). While the Kingdom does permit certain pets to enter, the applicable rules vary considerably by species — and dogs in particular are subject to some of the most stringent controls found anywhere in the world.

Cats are the most widely kept pets in Saudi Arabia. Their elevated status in Islamic tradition plays a significant role in their popularity, and this cultural acceptance is reflected in a comparatively uncomplicated import pathway, provided owners satisfy all health and documentation requirements.

Only dogs that qualify as “working dogs” — such as guard dogs, hunting dogs, or guide dogs for the visually impaired — are eligible to enter Saudi Arabia. Saudi law does not recognise dogs as companion pets; they are treated solely as working animals used for guarding, hunting, or assisting people with disabilities. This classification has direct and significant consequences for how dogs are described in official paperwork, regardless of their actual role in a household. In practical terms, every dog being imported must be designated as fulfilling a working function in all documentation.

A wide range of breeds is outright prohibited from entering the Kingdom under any circumstances. Banned breeds include Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Boxers, Mastiffs, Tosas, Bulldogs, and Perro de Presa Canarios. The prohibited list also covers Japanese Akitas, Brussels Griffons, Hovawarts, Staffordshire Terriers, Great Danes, and Leonbergers, among others. Dogs that merely resemble any banned breed may also be turned away at the border.

The exclusions extend beyond large molosser-type breeds. Certain terriers — including Bull Terriers and Dandie Dinmonts — are also on the prohibited list, as are, perhaps unexpectedly, a number of small companion and toy breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas, and Japanese Spitz, which are commonly refused entry. Anyone travelling with a small or toy breed should contact MEWA directly to confirm eligibility before making any travel arrangements.

Wolf hybrids are not permitted, nor are Savannah or Bengal cats unless they are at least five generations removed from their wild ancestors. Wild or exotic animals may not be imported except for official government purposes. The import of live birds, including parrots, requires separate permits from the Ministry of Agriculture and is not straightforward. Rabbits are also not permitted in Saudi Arabia.

A further critical restriction concerns visa status: only holders of work or residency visas may import a pet. Those entering on a tourist visa have no right to bring an animal into the country. This is a particularly important point for anyone on a short-term contract or considering a trial move before committing to full relocation.

What vaccinations and health requirements do pets need before entering Saudi Arabia?

All dogs and cats aged three months or older must have valid rabies vaccination documentation when entering Saudi Arabia. The vaccine must have been administered no fewer than 30 days and no more than six months before the travel date. Three-year rabies vaccines are not accepted. This differs from arrangements in countries like Australia or New Zealand, which rely on a rabies antibody titre test for entry — Saudi Arabia mandates a current vaccination that falls within a defined validity window.

Every pet must be identified with a microchip that conforms to ISO standard 11784 or ISO standard 11785. Critically, the microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination is given. If this sequence is reversed — vaccination before microchipping — the rabies vaccination may be deemed invalid by Saudi authorities.

For dogs, rabies vaccination alone is not sufficient. Dogs must also be vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus (DHLPP), as well as Bordetella. For cats, the required core vaccines are Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia (FVRCP). All vaccines must be current at the time of import and should have been given no fewer than two weeks before the planned export date.

Pets travelling from Europe must receive treatment for ticks and intestinal worms prior to departure. Owners from other regions should consult their national veterinary authority or an accredited vet to determine whether equivalent parasite treatment requirements apply based on their country of origin.

Saudi Arabia is officially classified as a high-risk country for rabies, and this status has meaningful implications for those who later intend to relocate from Saudi Arabia to another country. Many popular expat destinations — including European Union member states and the United Kingdom — require a rabies antibody titre test for pets arriving from rabies-risk countries. These tests involve a waiting period after the blood sample is drawn, so owners who anticipate onward travel must factor this into their plans well in advance.

All information above reflects requirements as of 2025. Pet import regulations are subject to revision at any time, and owners should confirm current requirements with MEWA or their government’s veterinary authority before making final travel arrangements.

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

The entire import process is managed through MEWA’s dedicated digital portal, the Naama platform (also rendered as Anaam). The steps must be completed in a specific order, and owners should allow 8–12 weeks from the start of preparations to their intended departure date.

1. Confirm breed and species eligibility. For dogs, verify with MEWA before booking anything that the animal’s breed qualifies under the hunting, guarding, or service classification. Review the current list of permitted and prohibited breeds on the MEWA website to avoid a costly mistake at the border.
2. Microchip your pet. Your dog or cat must be fitted with a microchip that complies with ISO standard 11784 or Annex A of ISO standard 11785. The chip must be 15 digits, contain no letters, and be non-encrypted so that it can be read by a standard universal scanner.
3. Administer vaccinations. Arrange for your pet’s rabies vaccination to be given at least 30 days before travel and within the six-month validity window. Confirm that all other required core vaccines are also current and properly recorded in a vaccination booklet or health record.
4. Apply for the MEWA import permit via Naama. Create an account and submit your application through the Ministry’s Naama electronic platform at naama.sa. You will need to provide a copy of your national identity document, residency permit, or passport, along with details about the animal including a clear photograph, vaccination records displaying the microchip number, and a health certificate from an accredited vet in the country of origin. The permit should be obtained at least 14 days before the date of entry (as of 2025).
5. Obtain a veterinary health certificate. A health certificate signed by your vet must confirm that the pet is healthy, vaccinated, and fit to travel. Before initiating any export procedure, verify that your veterinarian holds the necessary accreditation or licence from the government veterinary authority in your country. This certificate typically has a very short validity — often just 7–10 days — so it must be timed carefully around your departure date.
6. Have the health certificate authenticated. The health certificate must be endorsed by the competent government authority in your country of origin and subsequently legalised by the Saudi Embassy. For example, pet owners departing the United States would typically have their certificate endorsed by USDA APHIS before embassy legalisation.
7. Obtain a certificate of origin. A certificate of origin from the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture or an authorised representative is also required. The MEWA import permit, authenticated health certificate, and certificate of origin must all be secured before you depart.
8. Send a letter to Saudi Customs. A formal letter addressed to the Director of Customs in Saudi Arabia must travel with the shipment. For guidance on this requirement, contact the Saudi Customs Authority at [email protected].
9. Travel and present documents on arrival. Once your pet reaches the Kingdom, you will collect the animal from the Saudi cargo depot. You may also be required to complete a customs declaration form at that time.

Import permits are valid for 30 days from the date of issue and cover entry of up to two pets (as of 2025). Your pet must enter through the specific port of entry named on the permit. If your travel plans change and your arrival port shifts, you must seek an amendment to the permit before travelling.

Each individual is limited to importing a maximum of two dogs and two cats within any six-month period. This restriction is enforced through the mandatory MEWA import permit system (as of 2025).

Does Saudi Arabia require pets to undergo quarantine on arrival?

Pets that arrive with all required documentation in order are not subject to mandatory quarantine in Saudi Arabia. This is one of the more favourable aspects of the Saudi import system — in contrast to countries such as Australia or New Zealand, where government-supervised quarantine is compulsory regardless of a pet’s health status or documentation, Saudi Arabia exempts fully compliant animals entirely.

However, the consequences of arriving without complete and correct paperwork are severe. Pets that fail to satisfy import requirements may be quarantined at the owner’s expense, sent back to their country of origin, or euthanised. Every expense arising from non-compliance falls on the importer. This reality underscores just how critical thorough preparation is — there is no lenient grace period or administrative workaround once the animal has landed.

Even where quarantine is not routinely required, MEWA retains the authority to impose quarantine at its discretion following inspection at the port of entry. The ministry may also schedule animal arrivals around the capacity of quarantine and inspection facilities at entry points. Pet owners planning to arrive during peak travel periods, such as school holiday season, should account for possible delays in their planning.

While the absence of mandatory quarantine makes the Saudi arrival experience considerably less disruptive for compliant travellers than comparable systems in countries such as Japan or Australia, the flip side is that any paperwork deficiency carries much higher stakes — errors are not simply corrected with a fine but may result in the animal being held or returned at the owner’s cost.

Is Saudi Arabia part of any international pet travel scheme?

The phrase “pet passport” is sometimes used informally in the context of Saudi Arabia to describe the full package of documents required for a dog or cat to enter the country. This should not be confused with an EU Pet Passport, which is an officially standardised document issued within the European Union. Saudi Arabia has no involvement in the EU Pet Travel Scheme or any comparable multilateral pet travel arrangement.

Travel between EU member states is facilitated by a uniform system under which a standardised EU Pet Passport, issued by an accredited veterinarian, is recognised across all participating countries. No equivalent framework exists for travel to or from Saudi Arabia. Every owner, irrespective of their country of departure, must complete the full national import permit process through MEWA’s Naama platform.

MEWA applies Saudi domestic legislation alongside a number of regional and international frameworks, including the Gulf States Veterinary Quarantine Law and the CITES Convention governing protected species. The Gulf States Veterinary Quarantine Law does create a degree of harmonisation among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, but this does not produce a simplified travel document system equivalent to the EU Pet Passport.

What this means in practice is that even owners holding a valid EU Pet Passport for an animal registered in an EU country must still obtain a separately endorsed health certificate, a MEWA import permit, and a certificate of origin before bringing the animal into Saudi Arabia. The EU Pet Passport will not be accepted on its own as sufficient documentation. If your journey involves transiting through the EU en route to Saudi Arabia, additional EU transit health documentation may also be required — factor this extra layer of paperwork into your planning.

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

Animals accompanying passengers must be registered on the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture’s Naama platform at naama.sa before travel takes place. The Naama system therefore functions both as the gateway for the pre-arrival import process and as the ongoing tool for managing post-arrival compliance obligations.

Once resident in the Kingdom, dog owners are required to register their animal with the local authorities. This typically involves submitting proof of current vaccinations, microchip details, and any other relevant documentation. The registration scheme allows authorities to maintain records of the pet population and to reach owners if their dog goes missing or is involved in an incident.

In line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 digitalisation agenda, the Ministry has developed an application to help pet owners manage their import and export permits electronically. The Naama platform at naama.sa is the central tool for handling these ongoing administrative requirements.

Municipal licensing fees and annual registration costs vary from one city to another and are revised periodically. Rather than stating figures that could quickly become outdated, owners are advised to enquire directly with their local municipality or the nearest MEWA regional office after settling in. Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam may each operate under slightly different local by-laws with respect to domestic pet ownership in residential areas.

Before arriving with a pet, it is also essential to confirm with your landlord or residential compound management that animals are permitted on the property. Discussing the matter with your employer ahead of your move can also help in identifying suitable pet-friendly accommodation.

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

Airline and carrier rules

Cats and small birds may be carried in the passenger cabin or in an air-conditioned baggage hold equipped with a ventilation system. Dogs must travel in the aircraft hold, which must also be ventilated and temperature-controlled. Saudia charges USD $100 for pets travelling in the cabin and USD $300 for pets in the aircraft hold, applicable to both domestic and international routes (as of the time of publication — confirm current fees with the airline before booking).

Individual airlines, including Saudia, impose their own conditions and may suspend pet carriage during the hottest months of the year. It is worth requesting quotes for both excess baggage and cargo carriage and asking specifically whether summer embargoes or direct-flight-only policies are in effect. Some carriers refuse to accept animals as cargo when ground temperatures exceed extreme thresholds — Saudi Arabia’s summer heat regularly surpasses 50°C, making the timing and routing of your journey a genuinely consequential decision.

IATA crate requirements

Your pet’s travel crate must comply with IATA standards: it must be sturdy, well-ventilated on all sides, lockable, and fitted with water and food bowls accessible from outside the crate. Unlike some destinations that permit soft-sided carriers in the cabin for small pets, Saudi Arabia and its carriers apply strict IATA crate regulations without exception. Begin crate training your pet well ahead of the travel date to reduce stress on the day of the journey.

Seasonal restrictions and routing

When selecting an airline, ask whether climate-controlled holding areas and air-conditioned ramp vehicles are used, as this can be a decisive factor during the summer months. Non-stop flights directly into your Saudi arrival city are strongly preferred. Since entry must occur via the port of entry specified on the MEWA import permit, your flight routing and permit application must be entirely consistent with one another.

Costs

The total cost of bringing a pet into Saudi Arabia can be considerable. Owners should plan for government veterinary endorsement fees in their country of origin, airline cargo or cabin charges, MEWA permit fees (check naama.sa for current figures as of 2025), document legalisation at the Saudi Embassy, and potential fees for a specialist pet relocation agent. Customs document processing charges may also apply on arrival. Fee amounts change frequently — always verify with the relevant authority before committing to any arrangements.

Heat and animal wellbeing

Summer temperatures in Saudi Arabia can exceed 50°C (122°F). Owners must ensure that their pets are not exposed to extreme heat and that adequate water and shade are available at all times. Dogs are prohibited from public transport in Saudi Arabia. Planning for the country’s climate is as important as completing the paperwork — brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds in particular are at heightened risk in hot conditions and are often subject to additional airline restrictions due to their respiratory vulnerabilities.

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

Pet import rules can change without warning. Always confirm current requirements through official channels before travelling. The following sources are the primary authoritative references for Saudi Arabia pet import information:

• Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) — mewa.gov.sa. MEWA is the governing body for all live animal imports into Saudi Arabia. Without their approval, no pet may enter the country. The MEWA website provides official regulations, the list of approved origin countries for pet imports, and access to the Naama portal.
• Naama Electronic Services Platform — naama.sa. The Naama platform is MEWA’s unified digital services portal for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, offering all Ministry electronic services across its various operational sectors. This is where import permits are applied for, tracked, and managed.
• Saudi Customs Authority — customs.gov.sa. The Saudi Customs Authority is responsible for border inspections and customs declarations for animals arriving in the Kingdom. For pet-related enquiries, their contact email is [email protected].
• WEQAA Center (under MEWA) — Established in 2022, the WEQAA Center serves as the central competent authority for animal health in Saudi Arabia. Its mandate includes developing and implementing a national strategy for veterinary services and overseeing quarantine procedures, disease control, and animal health certification at the national level.
• Your country’s official veterinary authority — Whether this is USDA APHIS, the UK’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), or the equivalent body in another country, your national government veterinary authority is responsible for issuing the endorsed health certificate that Saudi Arabia requires. Always use the official template and endorsement procedure prescribed by that authority.
• The Saudi Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence — For questions about document legalisation requirements and any bilateral arrangements relevant to your country, contact the Saudi diplomatic mission serving your location directly.

Given the complexity of the process and the frequency with which requirements are updated, many expats choose to work with a specialist pet relocation company accredited by the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA). While this adds to the overall cost, it significantly reduces the risk of documentation errors that could lead to the animal being detained or refused entry.

Frequently asked questions

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

Animals that do not satisfy import regulations face quarantine, repatriation to the country of origin, or euthanasia. All resulting costs fall entirely on the importer. There is no administrative grace period once the animal has landed, which makes thorough and accurate preparation absolutely essential. If you have any doubt about a particular document, consult MEWA or an experienced pet relocation professional before you travel.

How long does the full process typically take from start to finish?

Allow 8–12 weeks from the beginning of preparations. This timeframe accommodates microchipping, the mandatory 30-day post-rabies-vaccination waiting period, obtaining a health certificate from an accredited vet, completing government authentication and embassy legalisation of documents, and submitting the MEWA import permit application at least 14 days before travel. Cutting any of these steps short risks producing an invalid or expired document on arrival.

Are the rules different for cats versus dogs?

Yes, substantially. The import process for cats is comparatively straightforward, though owners should still verify that their cat’s breed is on the list of permitted breeds recognised by MEWA. Dogs face far more demanding requirements, including mandatory designation as working animals, an extensive list of prohibited breeds, and the need for a specific purpose declaration in all veterinary certificates. Cats do not face purpose-based restrictions but still require the same core documentation — microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and import permit.

Can I bring a rescue animal into Saudi Arabia?

Rescue animals can in principle be imported provided they meet the same requirements as any other pet — an ISO-compliant microchip, valid vaccinations within the prescribed timeframes, a health certificate, and a MEWA import permit. The main challenge with rescue animals is documentation: incomplete or unclear vaccination histories can make it difficult to demonstrate compliance with the 30-day rabies vaccination window. Work with a vet in your country of origin to establish and fully document a compliant vaccination schedule well in advance of your travel date.

Can I bring my pet on a tourist visa?

No. Only those entering Saudi Arabia on a work or residency visa are permitted to import a pet. Tourist visa holders have no entitlement to bring an animal into the country. If your visa category is uncertain or you are on a short-term assignment, clarify your status before making any pet-related arrangements.

How many pets can I bring into Saudi Arabia?

Each person may import a maximum of two dogs and two cats within any six-month period, as enforced through the MEWA import permit system (as of 2025). Each permit covers a maximum of two animals and is valid for 30 days from issuance. If you need to import additional animals beyond this limit, extra copies of your passport with a valid residency visa will be required.

Does my pet need to be seen by a vet on arrival in Saudi Arabia?

Upon arrival, Saudi veterinary or customs officials will conduct an official inspection at the port of entry to verify that the documentation matches the animal being presented. Officers will check that the microchip number corresponds with the paperwork, that all vaccinations fall within their valid periods, and that the animal is in good health and consistent with the breed and photograph recorded on the permit. Always carry original documents rather than copies, and ensure your pet is calm and presentable for inspection.

What should I do if I plan to leave Saudi Arabia with my pet after living there?

Use the Naama platform to obtain the necessary outbound permits. For onward destinations such as EU member states, the United Kingdom, Japan, or Australia, a rabies antibody titre test showing a result of at least 0.5 IU/mL, conducted at an approved laboratory, is typically required. Some destinations also impose a waiting period — 90 days is standard for EU entry. Because Saudi Arabia is classified as a rabies-risk country, many destinations will require this test for any pet that has resided there. Begin planning your exit well ahead of your departure date, particularly if your next destination operates strict biosecurity controls.