Bringing Your Pet to Saudi Arabia: Rules & Process

Relocating to Saudi Arabia with a beloved cat or dog is entirely possible, but the process is tightly regulated and requires planning well ahead of your travel date. At سعودي ليفنج we regularly hear from families anxious about leaving a pet behind, so this guide walks you through the rules, the paperwork, and the practical steps — from microchipping to airport clearance. Because requirements can be updated, always confirm the latest details on the official Ministry channels before you book anything.

Who regulates pet imports

The import of any live animal into Saudi Arabia is regulated by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA). A valid import permit issued through MEWA's Naama/Anaam electronic platform is mandatory for every animal entering the Kingdom. Unlike many other resident services, this process does not go through Absher, Muqeem, Qiwa, Najiz, Nafath, or Tawakkalna — it is handled entirely through MEWA's own e-services and, on arrival, through Saudi Cargo and customs at the airport.

Which pets are allowed

Entry is permitted for a limited set of animals, and the rules for dogs are stricter than for cats:

• Cats — accepted as companion animals.
• Birds — accepted, subject to permit.
• Dogs — accepted only if classified as hunting, guard, or guide dogs for the blind or hearing-impaired. Ordinary pet or companion dogs that do not fall into these categories are generally not accepted.

If you own a dog, review this classification carefully before making any commitments, as it is the single most common reason a dog import is refused.

Age, number, and frequency limits

The rules also cap how many animals you can bring and how often:

• Pets must be at least 4 months old to enter.
• A standard permit covers a maximum of two pets.
• Import permits are typically valid for about 30 days from the date of issue.
• One person may bring up to two dogs and two cats every six months.

Microchip and vaccinations

Health preparation must follow a strict order, so start early:

• Your pet must first be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785-compliant chip — this must be done before the rabies vaccination so the records can be linked to the chip.
• Rabies vaccination is required at least 30 days before travel and typically no more than 6–12 months before entry, depending on current MEWA guidance.
• Dogs need a series of core vaccines such as distemper, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis.
• Cats need panleukopenia and other core feline vaccines.

Keep every vaccination record, as they must match the microchip number exactly.

Health certificate and authentication

A veterinary health certificate must be issued by an authorised vet within 30 days before travel, confirming your pet is healthy and fully vaccinated. This certificate must then be endorsed by the competent authority in the exporting country — usually the national agriculture or veterinary department — before it will be recognised on arrival. Plan the timing carefully so the certificate is issued neither too early nor too late relative to your flight.

Registration and the permit process

Every live animal travelling with a passenger must be registered online on MEWA's Naama/Anaam platform before travel and linked to an approved animal travel/import permit. In practice the steps look like this:

• Complete microchipping and the full vaccination schedule.
• Obtain the endorsed veterinary health certificate.
• Register the animal and apply for the import permit on the Naama/Anaam platform.
• Travel within the permit's validity window (around 30 days).
• Clear the animal through Saudi Cargo and customs at the airport on arrival.

Practical tips

Begin the process at least a couple of months ahead, since the microchip-then-vaccinate sequence and the 30-day rabies window leave little room for delays. Book your pet's travel with the airline early, confirm crate requirements, and keep both digital and printed copies of every document. Because fees, timelines, and accepted vaccines can change, verify all current requirements directly on MEWA's official platform before you finalise your plans — this single check can save you from a costly refusal at the border.

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