Dog or cat from Colombia to Egypt: official requirements

1. Get ready

   1. IdentificationEntering Egypt

      ISO microchip, before the rabies vaccination

      Your pet must have an ISO-compliant microchip, put in before its rabies vaccination, and the microchip number must be written on all its documents.

      Details and the official words

      Egypt's requirement reached us through Australia's export database (Micor), which records the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture's correspondence of 18 December 2025 for pets entering Egypt. It is newer than the US and UK documents that don't require a chip; we follow it because it is Egypt's own, more recent statement.

      “The following basic health requirements are mandatory for pets entering Egypt:”

      “The pet must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant microchip.”

      “The pet must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant microchip.”

      “Based on correspondence received from the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture on 18 December 2025.”

      “Animal microchips are not required for entry into Egypt”

      “Dogs and cats should be identified either by tattoo or microchip number or by a full description including coat colour and type, markings, weight, breed, sex and declared age.”

   2. VaccinationEntering Egypt

      Rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel

      Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies after its microchip, at least 21 days before it travels, and the vaccination must still be valid when it enters Egypt. Bring a valid rabies vaccination certificate.

      Details and the official words

      Egypt doesn't say whether a booster restarts the 21 days. We count them from the first vaccination of your pet's current, unbroken series; if a booster falls within 3 weeks of the trip, ask the Egyptian embassy.

      “A valid Rabies Vaccination Certificate is required.”

      “The rabies vaccine must be administered after microchipping and at least 21 days prior to travel and remain valid at the time of entry.”

      “The rabies vaccine must be administered after microchipping and at least 21 days prior to travel and remain valid at the time of entry.”

      “Egypt require separate evidence that the dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies.”

      “This can either be in an up to date Pet Passport or a document provided by the veterinary practice.”

      “Passport & Proof of Vaccinations for rabies”

      “Ont été vaccinés contre la rage par un vaccin inactivé”

2. In the days before you travel

   1. PaperworkColombia and Egypt

      Official veterinary health certificate

      Your pet needs an official veterinary health certificate issued by a government-authorised vet in your country, within its period of validity before you travel. Egypt doesn't publish how long that is for your country: ask your veterinary authority, which knows the certificate it issues for Egypt.

      Details and the official words

      Health certificate from a vet registered with ICA (within 5 days of departure): A vet registered with ICA examines your pet and issues its health certificate, dated no more than 5 calendar days before you leave Colombia. It describes the pet, confirms the clinical exam (no signs of contagious or parasitic disease, no recent wounds), records the internal and external parasite treatment given as the destination requires (product, batch, active ingredient, date) and comes with the current vaccination certificate (original and copy) following the destination's vaccination plan.

      “An official Veterinary Health Certificate issued by a government-authorized veterinarian in the country of origin is required.”

      “The certificate must be issued within the valid period prior to travel.”

      “3900EHC may be used to accompany dogs and cats, not intended for sale, exported to Egypt accompanied by their owners”

      “The clinical examination should be carried out no more than 96 hours prior to export.”

      “This certificate is valid for 14 days after issuance.”

      “I certify that the animals described in box 21 have been inspected by me on this date and appear to be free of any infectious or contagious diseases”

      “Ont été examinés au cours des 24 dernières heures, ont été trouvés en bon état de santé et n’ont présenté aucun signe clinique de maladies contagieuses propres à l’espèce.”

      “Ont été identifies à l’aide d’une micropuce électronique.”

      “con fecha de expedición no mayor a cinco (5) días calendario previos a la salida del país”

      “Que a la mascota se le haya realizado un examen clínico y no haya presentado signos compatibles con enfermedades infectocontagiosas transmisibles o parasitarias, y no posea heridas recientes, suturas o lesiones en fase aguda.”

      “Que la mascota recibió antes del viaje un tratamiento antiparasitario interno y externo, administrado de acuerdo con las exigencias del país de destino, con productos que estén debidamente autorizados en Colombia, indicando:”

   2. Official stampLeaving Colombia

      ICA Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS) at the airport, port or border

      Your vet files the CIS request in ICA's SISPAP system with your details, the pet's and the supporting documents (and the rabies antibody result where the destination asks for one). The request can be used within 5 calendar days of its creation. You receive the request number and a payment link by email (or pay by card at the ICA office), then take your pet and any other documents your destination asks for to the ICA office you chose at the airport, port or border, where ICA issues the CIS if the inspection is satisfactory.

      Details and the official words

      “La solicitud del certificado de inspección sanitaria – CIS y los documentos soporte tendrán vigencia para ser utilizados dentro de los cinco (5) días calendario a partir de su momento de creación”

      “Si la inspección es satisfactoria, se emitirá el Certificado de Inspección Sanitaria (CIS).”

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Colombia (dogs).

The trip back asks for 7 steps: online request for the Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS) in ICA's SISPAP, paid before arrival, at least 15 weeks old on entry, rabies vaccination (first-time vaccinated pets: at least 21 days before shipment) and dogs: current vaccination certificate (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, coronavirus, parainfluenza) and more.

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Colombia (cats).

The trip back asks for 7 steps: online request for the Sanitary Inspection Certificate (CIS) in ICA's SISPAP, paid before arrival, at least 15 weeks old on entry, rabies vaccination (first-time vaccinated pets: at least 21 days before shipment) and cats: current vaccination certificate (panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus) and more.