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Pet travel route

Dog or cat from Oman to Japan: official requirements

Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least about 7 months ahead for a dog. The main steps: ISO microchip, rabies vaccination #1 and rabies vaccination #2 and 4 more.

Rules checked up to 13 October 2026From 5 official pages

In short

Limited official guidance. The authority for leaving Oman publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. Oman publishes no page on taking a pet abroad. The ministry's only export service is a general veterinary health certificate for an animal shipment, which you can start from a personal account. It doesn't mention pets, how long before departure to apply or how long the certificate is valid. Ask the Veterinary Quarantine Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Wealth and Water Resources before you plan the trip.

At a glance

How early to start (dogs)

about 7 months

if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet

Set by: 180-day waiting period (180 days after the blood sample)

about 6 months

if it is already microchipped and vaccinated

Set by: 180-day waiting period (180 days after the blood sample)

The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.

On this route (dogs)

  • Rabies blood test needed
  • Tell the authority in advance

Part of this route is still under review, so we don’t say what it doesn’t need.

How early to start (cats)

about 7 months

if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet

Set by: 180-day waiting period (180 days after the blood sample)

about 6 months

if it is already microchipped and vaccinated

Set by: 180-day waiting period (180 days after the blood sample)

The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.

On this route (cats)

  • Rabies blood test needed
  • Tell the authority in advance

Part of this route is still under review, so we don’t say what it doesn’t need.

Which rules apply to you

Japan puts Oman in the group “Non-designated region”. See every group

Prefer a feed reader? Oman rule changes · Japan rule changes

Oman → Japan

What your pet needs

In the order you do them. Each step says whether Oman (leaving) or Japan (entering) asks for it.

Dogs

Taking a dog or cat out of Oman: we summarised this from a short or older official page and it is still under review, so it may be incomplete.

  1. Get ready

    1. IdentificationEntering Japan

      ISO microchip

      Your pet needs an ISO 11784/11785 microchip (15 digits). From non-designated regions it must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination (same day is fine).

      Details and the official words

      Microchip numbers starting with "900 202" are currently not accepted.

      Some microchip numbers have been found on more than one animal (Japan's examples start with 900). Once you know when your pet will arrive, notify the Animal Quarantine Service at your arrival airport promptly: a duplicate chip can mean re-chipping and redoing the steps.

      “Dogs and cats must be identified by a microchip before the first rabies vaccination.”

    2. VaccinationEntering Japan

      Rabies vaccination #1

      First rabies vaccination (inactivated or recombinant) after microchipping, when your pet is at least 91 days old — Japan does not accept vaccinations given before 91 days.

      Details and the official words

      “At least 91 days old at the time of vaccination”

    3. VaccinationEntering Japan

      Rabies vaccination #2

      Second rabies vaccination at least 30 days after the first, and before the first one's immunity runs out.

      Details and the official words

      “30 days or more apart from the first vaccination (the date of the first one is counted as day 0)”

    4. Blood testEntering Japan

      Rabies antibody test at a designated lab

      Blood sample after the second vaccination (same day allowed), tested at a Japan-designated laboratory: at least 0.5 IU/ml. The result is valid for 2 years.

      Details and the official words

      “A blood sample for the test must be drawn after the second rabies vaccination.”

    5. Waiting periodEntering Japan

      180-day waiting period

      Your pet must arrive at least 180 days after the blood sample date, and while both the rabies vaccination and the antibody test (2 years) are still valid.

      Details and the official words

      If this is missed: Pets arriving before 180 days are held in detention quarantine for the days still missing.

      “Dogs and cats are required to arrive in Japan after 180 days have passed from the date of blood sampling for the rabies antibody test.”

  2. In the days before you travel

    1. Vet examEntering Japan

      Pre-export clinical inspection

      A vet examines your pet within 10 days before boarding (no signs of rabies; for dogs also leptospirosis) and checks the microchip.

      Details and the official words

      “Before leaving the exporting country (within 10 days before boarding), dogs and cats must undergo a clinical inspection by a veterinarian.”

    2. PaperworkOman and Japan

      Government certificate from the exporting country

      Get the certificate (Japan's recommended Form AC, or Form AB from designated regions) completed and endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority, after the clinical inspection.

      The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.

      Details and the official words

      Bring the original certificates. Electronic certificates are accepted from the USA, Brazil and Spain, and from Hawaii and Guam, when they carry the required information and are confirmed as issued by the government authority.

      Ministry veterinary health certificate for export: Apply to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Wealth and Water Resources for a veterinary health certificate to export your pet (the service is listed on Gov.om for personal accounts). Your pet must show no symptoms of epidemic, contagious or zoonotic animal diseases. The certificate costs 5 rials, and an inspection fee is paid at the port (from 100 baisa to 100 rials). Service time is given as one hour.

      The service is written for any animal shipment and lists documents that don't concern pets (fish quality, catch and CITES certificates). Ask the Veterinary Quarantine Department which documents it wants for a dog or cat.

      The customs portal also has a 'Medical Certificate to Export Animals and Wild Birds' service, but it asks for a company registration and an inspection request two days before the goods arrive at the port: it is written for businesses, so we don't apply it to pets.

      If this is missed: Deficient certificates mean detention quarantine for up to 180 days or being shipped back.

      “Applicants must obtain certificates issued by the government authorities of the exporting country (corresponding to Animal Quarantine Service in Japan).”

      “This service enables you to get a veterinary health certificate to export an animal shipment.”

      “Fees to be paid to receive the certificate”

      “Fees to be paid for inspection at the port (starting from 100 baisa to 100 riyals)”

      “The shipment must be free of any symptoms of epidemic, contagious or common animal diseases”

    3. NoticeEntering Japan

      Advance notification to Animal Quarantine Service

      Notify the Animal Quarantine Service at your port of arrival at least 40 days before you arrive (online via NACCS or by email). They issue an 'Approval of Import Inspection'.

      Details and the official words

      If this is missed: In principle, a notification submitted less than 40 days before arrival is not accepted.

      “Applicants must notify Animal Quarantine Service at the expected port of entry not less than 40 days before arrival in Japan.”

Good to know

  • Dogs can only enter Japan through 19 designated ports: the airports New Chitose, Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, Itami, Kobe, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Kagoshima and Naha, and the seaports Tomakomai, Keihin, Nagoya, Hanshin, Kanmon, Hakata, Kagoshima and Naha. For cats or a registered assistance dog arriving elsewhere, contact the Animal Quarantine Service first.
  • Japan does not accept live-virus or RNA rabies vaccines — check the vaccine type with your vet.
  • The ministry issues the certificate only once your documents meet the import health requirements of the country your pet is going to, so find out first what your destination asks for (vaccination, blood test, import permit).

Cats

Taking a dog or cat out of Oman: we summarised this from a short or older official page and it is still under review, so it may be incomplete.

  1. Get ready

    1. IdentificationEntering Japan

      ISO microchip

      Your pet needs an ISO 11784/11785 microchip (15 digits). From non-designated regions it must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination (same day is fine).

      Details and the official words

      Microchip numbers starting with "900 202" are currently not accepted.

      Some microchip numbers have been found on more than one animal (Japan's examples start with 900). Once you know when your pet will arrive, notify the Animal Quarantine Service at your arrival airport promptly: a duplicate chip can mean re-chipping and redoing the steps.

      “Dogs and cats must be identified by a microchip before the first rabies vaccination.”

    2. VaccinationEntering Japan

      Rabies vaccination #1

      First rabies vaccination (inactivated or recombinant) after microchipping, when your pet is at least 91 days old — Japan does not accept vaccinations given before 91 days.

      Details and the official words

      “At least 91 days old at the time of vaccination”

    3. VaccinationEntering Japan

      Rabies vaccination #2

      Second rabies vaccination at least 30 days after the first, and before the first one's immunity runs out.

      Details and the official words

      “30 days or more apart from the first vaccination (the date of the first one is counted as day 0)”

    4. Blood testEntering Japan

      Rabies antibody test at a designated lab

      Blood sample after the second vaccination (same day allowed), tested at a Japan-designated laboratory: at least 0.5 IU/ml. The result is valid for 2 years.

      Details and the official words

      “A blood sample for the test must be drawn after the second rabies vaccination.”

    5. Waiting periodEntering Japan

      180-day waiting period

      Your pet must arrive at least 180 days after the blood sample date, and while both the rabies vaccination and the antibody test (2 years) are still valid.

      Details and the official words

      If this is missed: Pets arriving before 180 days are held in detention quarantine for the days still missing.

      “Dogs and cats are required to arrive in Japan after 180 days have passed from the date of blood sampling for the rabies antibody test.”

  2. In the days before you travel

    1. Vet examEntering Japan

      Pre-export clinical inspection

      A vet examines your pet within 10 days before boarding (no signs of rabies; for dogs also leptospirosis) and checks the microchip.

      Details and the official words

      “Before leaving the exporting country (within 10 days before boarding), dogs and cats must undergo a clinical inspection by a veterinarian.”

    2. PaperworkOman and Japan

      Government certificate from the exporting country

      Get the certificate (Japan's recommended Form AC, or Form AB from designated regions) completed and endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority, after the clinical inspection.

      The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.

      Details and the official words

      Bring the original certificates. Electronic certificates are accepted from the USA, Brazil and Spain, and from Hawaii and Guam, when they carry the required information and are confirmed as issued by the government authority.

      Ministry veterinary health certificate for export: Apply to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Wealth and Water Resources for a veterinary health certificate to export your pet (the service is listed on Gov.om for personal accounts). Your pet must show no symptoms of epidemic, contagious or zoonotic animal diseases. The certificate costs 5 rials, and an inspection fee is paid at the port (from 100 baisa to 100 rials). Service time is given as one hour.

      The service is written for any animal shipment and lists documents that don't concern pets (fish quality, catch and CITES certificates). Ask the Veterinary Quarantine Department which documents it wants for a dog or cat.

      The customs portal also has a 'Medical Certificate to Export Animals and Wild Birds' service, but it asks for a company registration and an inspection request two days before the goods arrive at the port: it is written for businesses, so we don't apply it to pets.

      If this is missed: Deficient certificates mean detention quarantine for up to 180 days or being shipped back.

      “Applicants must obtain certificates issued by the government authorities of the exporting country (corresponding to Animal Quarantine Service in Japan).”

      “This service enables you to get a veterinary health certificate to export an animal shipment.”

      “Fees to be paid to receive the certificate”

      “Fees to be paid for inspection at the port (starting from 100 baisa to 100 riyals)”

      “The shipment must be free of any symptoms of epidemic, contagious or common animal diseases”

    3. NoticeEntering Japan

      Advance notification to Animal Quarantine Service

      Notify the Animal Quarantine Service at your port of arrival at least 40 days before you arrive (online via NACCS or by email). They issue an 'Approval of Import Inspection'.

      Details and the official words

      If this is missed: In principle, a notification submitted less than 40 days before arrival is not accepted.

      “Applicants must notify Animal Quarantine Service at the expected port of entry not less than 40 days before arrival in Japan.”

Good to know

  • Japan does not accept live-virus or RNA rabies vaccines — check the vaccine type with your vet.
  • The ministry issues the certificate only once your documents meet the import health requirements of the country your pet is going to, so find out first what your destination asks for (vaccination, blood test, import permit).

Money

What it costs

Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Oman publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.

Government fees on this route

Government fees in total: 5 OMR (each currency separately)

What vets and labs charge Not official figures

No published prices yet for Oman: microchip, vet examination, health certificate (vet’s fee), rabies vaccination.

Prices that businesses publish on their own pages, quoted as we read them; yours can differ. Ranges are the lowest to highest of these examples, never our estimate. How we collect prices

Airline fees aren’t included: check your airline’s pet page.

Round trip

Coming back to Oman

Do before your pet leaves Oman (dogs)

  • Rabies vaccination after 12 weeks of age
  • Rabies vaccination less than 12 months old on arrival
  • Rabies blood test (RNATT or FAVN) 21 to 30 days after the last rabies shot

Their timing rules put them before the outbound trip, for a three-month stay.

The trip back asks for 9 steps: older than four months, microchip, recorded on the vaccination record, rabies vaccination after 12 weeks of age and rabies vaccination less than 12 months old on arrival and more.

Do before your pet leaves Oman (cats)

  • Rabies vaccination after 12 weeks of age
  • Rabies vaccination less than 12 months old on arrival
  • Rabies blood test (RNATT or FAVN) 21 to 30 days after the last rabies shot

Their timing rules put them before the outbound trip, for a three-month stay.

The trip back asks for 9 steps: older than four months, microchip, recorded on the vaccination record, rabies vaccination after 12 weeks of age and rabies vaccination less than 12 months old on arrival and more.

Every step from Japan to Oman

Nearby routes

Other routes

Where this comes from

Official sources

Questions owners ask

Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from Oman to Japan?

Yes: Blood sample after the second vaccination (same day allowed), tested at a Japan-designated laboratory: at least 0.5 IU/ml.

Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into Japan?

We couldn't find this in our summary of the rules, but that summary is short and still under review. Ask the official authority before you rely on it.

Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Japan?

We couldn't find this in our summary of the rules, but that summary is short and still under review. Ask the official authority before you rely on it.

How early should I start preparing my pet for Oman to Japan?

With nothing done yet, start at least about 7 months ahead for a dog. The main steps: ISO microchip, rabies vaccination #1 and rabies vaccination #2 and 4 more.

Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake

Read next

Turn this into dates for your pet

Where from, where to, when. You get every step with its deadline and the official page it comes from.

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