Bringing Your Pet to Saudi Arabia: Rules & Process

Moving to Saudi Arabia with a cat or dog is entirely possible, but it needs planning well ahead of your travel date. The Kingdom regulates pet imports through the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and its dedicated electronic platform, Anaam. Getting the paperwork right before you ship your pet is the single most important step — arriving without a valid import permit or the correct documents can create serious delays. This Saudi Living guide walks you through the permit, the timelines, the documents and the health requirements so your pet's arrival goes smoothly.

The import permit: where and when to apply

All pet imports must be authorised in advance through the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture using its Anaam electronic platform. This is the official channel — the application is not processed through Absher, Muqeem, Qiwa, Najiz, Balady or other portals, so apply directly through Anaam.

• Submit your application at least 15 days before you plan to ship your pet.
• The permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.
• Your pet must enter through the port specified on the permit — you cannot switch entry points.
• The cat-import permit fee is 150 SAR. A confirmed current fee for dog permits was not available, so check the latest figure on the Ministry's platform when you apply.

Who can apply and how many pets

There are age requirements for both the owner and the pet:

• Applicants for a dog import permit must be at least 21 years old.
• Applicants for a cat import permit must be at least 18 years old.
• The pet itself must be at least 4 months old.

On quantity, an individual may obtain one import permit every six months, and that permit covers no more than two pets. If you have a larger household of animals, plan around this limit.

Documents you'll need for the application

When applying through Anaam, prepare the following attachments:

• A veterinary health certificate from an accredited clinic.
• The pet passport or vaccination record showing the electronic microchip or other identification number.
• The owner's passport, national ID or residence permit.
• A photograph of the pet.
• An event invitation, where applicable.

The Ministry's updated 2026 procedure confirms the pet photograph, the identification number, the owner's identification and the accredited-clinic health certificate as core application attachments.

Documents required at the point of entry

Separately from the application, have these ready when your pet actually arrives:

• The original or electronic veterinary health certificate, issued or endorsed by the competent authority in the exporting country.
• A certificate of origin.
• The import permit.
• The vaccination record or pet passport.

Health, identification and vaccination rules

Two health requirements are essential:

• Identification: Your pet must carry an electronic microchip or another approved form of identification, and the identification number must match your documents.
• Rabies: A valid rabies vaccination certificate is required.

For dogs, expect additional scrutiny. The authorities may require extra vaccinations, testing for parasites and infectious diseases, and documentation proving the dog is healthy and qualifies for import. Speak to your accredited vet early so these tests are completed within the required timeframes before travel.

Quarantine and arrival

For healthy pets arriving with complete supporting documents, no general quarantine requirement was confirmed. In practice this means that when your paperwork is in order and your pet is healthy, microchipped and properly vaccinated, the process should be straightforward. Any gaps in documentation are the most common cause of complications at the border.

A practical timeline to follow

To keep everything on track, work backwards from your travel date:

• Weeks ahead: Confirm your pet is microchipped and up to date on rabies vaccination, and book an appointment with an accredited vet.
• At least 15 days before shipping: Submit the import permit application through Anaam with all attachments.
• After the permit is issued: Remember it is valid for only 30 days and tied to a specific entry port, so align your travel plans accordingly.
• Before departure: Ensure the veterinary health certificate is issued or endorsed by the competent authority in the exporting country, and gather the certificate of origin and vaccination record.

Because fees and detailed procedures can be updated, always confirm the current requirements and any dog-specific testing directly on the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture's Anaam platform before you commit to a travel date. With the permit secured and documents in hand, bringing your companion to the Kingdom is a manageable process.

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