Bringing Your Pet to Saudi Arabia: Rules & Process

Moving to Saudi Arabia with a beloved cat or dog is entirely possible, but it takes planning. The Kingdom applies clear health and documentation rules to protect public and animal health, and getting the paperwork right well before your flight is the difference between a smooth arrival and a stressful one. In this Saudi Living guide we walk you through the import permit, microchip, vaccination and certificate steps so you know exactly what to prepare and in what order.

Start with the import permit

Every cat or dog entering Saudi Arabia needs an official import permit issued by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) through its electronic platform, Naama/Anaam. This is the foundation of the whole process, so apply for it before booking your pet's travel.

• The permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance — your pet must arrive within that window.
• A single permit typically covers a maximum of two pets.
• One importer is generally limited to one permit every 180 days. If you're bringing more animals, additional pets will need a separate permit under a different importer's name.

Because rules and lists can change, always confirm the current requirements directly on the Naama/Anaam platform before you apply.

Rules for cats

For personal, non-commercial imports, cats are generally permitted once you hold a valid import permit through Naama/Anaam. Keep these points in mind:

• Import is allowed only from countries currently listed as permitted on the platform, so check your departure country against that list.
• If you're importing cats commercially, you'll need a valid commercial registration.

Rules for dogs

Dog imports are more restricted. Private import is generally allowed only for specific purposes — hunting, guarding, or service/guide roles — and always requires a permit.

• Only approved breeds may be imported. The ministry screens breeds and rejects guard/fighting types such as pit bull-type and Rottweiler-type dogs for private import.
• The dedicated fast-track dog service (often shown as an "Import Fierce Animals Permit") is accessed through Naama/Anaam with a digital login.
• You'll typically need identity documents, the vaccination booklet/health certificate, the electronic chip number, and a clear photo of the dog.

Microchip and identification

Both dogs and cats must carry approved electronic identification. An ISO-compatible microchip is the standard, and it should be implanted before the rabies vaccination so the vaccine record can be linked to your pet's unique chip number. Have the chip number ready when you complete your permit application.

Rabies vaccination and titer test

Rabies documentation is one of the most important — and most commonly missed — parts of the process.

• Your pet must have a current rabies vaccination. Under the official procedure, the remaining validity should be at least six months at the time of import.
• Practical travel guidance also asks for the rabies vaccine to be given at least 21 days before entry and no more than 12 months old — several carriers and advisory bodies require this window, so build it into your timeline.
• For dogs, a FAVN rabies antibody titer test is required, with a result of 0.5 IU/ml or higher before travel.

Veterinary health certificate

You'll need a veterinary health certificate from an accredited veterinary clinic in the exporting country. It must list all immunizations and confirm your pet is free from contagious diseases. The certificate must be government-endorsed in the exporting country, so allow extra time for that step. Keep the microchip number, vaccination records, and titer results consistent across every document.

A practical timeline

Because the pieces depend on each other, work backwards from your travel date:

• Implant the microchip first.
• Vaccinate against rabies, respecting the waiting period before entry.
• For dogs, arrange the FAVN titer test after vaccination.
• Obtain the government-endorsed health certificate close to travel.
• Apply for the import permit on Naama/Anaam and travel within its 30-day validity.

Requirements, permitted countries and breed lists are updated over time, so verify every detail on the official MEWA/Naama-Anaam portal before you commit to travel dates. Planning ahead keeps your pet safe and your arrival in the Kingdom stress-free.

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