Dog or cat from South Korea to Oman: official requirements

Dogs

1. Get ready

   1. Age ruleEntering Oman

      Older than four months

      Your pet must be more than four months old when it is imported.

      Details and the official words

      “The pet (dogs and cats) must be more than four months old.”

   2. IdentificationEntering Oman

      Microchip, recorded on the vaccination record

      Your pet needs an electronic microchip, and its number must be on the vaccination record you send with the permit application.

      Details and the official words

      “The electronic microchip identified for the pet on the immunization record.”

   3. VaccinationEntering Oman

      Rabies vaccination after 12 weeks of age

      Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies after it is 12 weeks old. Its vaccination record must go back to its birth and carry its photo and microchip number.

      Details and the official words

      “The pet (dogs and cats) must be immunized against rabies after completing 12 weeks of age, and no more than 12 months have passed since the date of its immunization when imported.”

      “A record of the pet's immunizations, from the date of its birth.”

      “Photo of the pet on the immunization record.”

   4. VaccinationEntering Oman

      Rabies vaccination less than 12 months old on arrival

      No more than 12 months may have passed since your pet's rabies vaccination when it is imported. If its last shot will be older than that on arrival day, give a booster, and then do the blood test again 21 to 30 days later (see below).

      Details and the official words

      Add the date of your pet's most recent rabies shot to check this. The page doesn't say whether a 3-year vaccine counts for longer: we apply the 12 months to the most recent shot.

      “The pet (dogs and cats) must be immunized against rabies after completing 12 weeks of age, and no more than 12 months have passed since the date of its immunization when imported.”

   5. Blood testEntering Oman

      Rabies blood test (RNATT or FAVN) 21 to 30 days after the last rabies shot

      Have a blood sample taken 21 to 30 days after your pet's most recent rabies vaccination and tested (RNATT or FAVN) at an accredited laboratory. Oman counts from the date the result is issued: it must be at least 3 months and not more than 12 months old when your pet leaves. The page doesn't give the pass level; 0.5 IU/ml is the usual international standard, so confirm it with the Veterinary Quarantine Department.

      Details and the official words

      A new rabies booster means a new blood test 21 to 30 days later, and a new 3-month wait from its result.

      “To draw a blood sample to calibrate the immune bodies 21-30 days after the last rabies immunization (RNATT or FAVN).”

      “The period from the date of issuance of the results of the RNATT or FAVN should not be less than three months, and not more than 12 months when exporting the pet.”

      “Blood test to calibrate rabies antibodies, from an accredited laboratory.”

   6. PermitEntering Oman

      Veterinary import permit through the Bayan customs system

      Before your pet arrives, apply for the veterinary import permit through the customs Bayan system (OMR 20), attaching the vaccination record from birth with your pet's photo and microchip number, and the blood test result. Permits are approved within two hours, during working hours, seven days a week. The page doesn't say how long the permit is valid, so apply once the blood test result is ready and before you leave.

      Details and the official words

      “Obtaining a PRIOR veterinary permit (before the arrival of the pet) to import pets (dogs and cats)”

      “through the Customs Bayan System, accompanied by the following documents”

      “Approval of the permits shall be within two hours of the application, during the official working hours and for seven days a week (All days).”

      “OMR 20”

2. In the days before you travel

   1. Vet examLeaving South Korea

      Vaccination and health certificate from a Korean animal clinic

      Get the vaccination certificate and the health certificate from the clinic that vaccinated and treated your pet. Even if a rabies vaccination given abroad is accepted, you must also get a vaccination and health certificate from a domestic clinic within 10 days before departure.

      Details and the official words

      “you must get a vaccination and health certificate from a domestic animal clinic within 10 days before departure and submit it along with the foreign certificate.”

   2. PaperworkSouth Korea and Oman

      Government veterinary health certificate from the exporting country

      Your pet travels with a government veterinary health certificate from the country it is exported from. The page doesn't say how recent it must be: ask the Veterinary Quarantine Department.

      Details and the official words

      APQA quarantine certificate: The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency issues the quarantine certificate within the 10 days before departure (some destinations want it closer, for example within 7 days or 48 hours). Offices are open on weekdays from 9:00 to 18:00 (lunch 12:00 to 13:00); the offices at Incheon Airport Terminals 1 and 2 also open on weekends and public holidays. You can get it at the airport on the day of departure: arrive at least two hours before check-in, with every document ready, and call ahead because same-day issue isn't guaranteed.

      The certificate has a validity period set by the destination, typically counted from issue (for example 10 or 30 days). A certificate can be corrected and reissued at the issuing office or another one.

      “A government veterinary health certificate from the country of export.”

      “A quarantine certificate issued by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency can be obtained within 10 days before departure.”

      “Quarantine certificates are issued on weekdays from 9:00 to 18:00, except for weekends and public holidays.”

      “visit the airport quarantine office at least two hours before check-in.”

3. Travel day and arrival

   1. On arrivalEntering Oman

      Show the documents on arrival

      At the port of arrival (land, sea, or air as cargo or with passengers), show the import permit, the health certificate, the passport or vaccination record and the laboratory's blood test certificate. Release works around the clock: your pet is released within two hours of being presented for inspection.

      Details and the official words

      “Upon arrival at the port (land - sea - air cargo / passengers):”

      “A certificate from an accredited laboratory for the calibration of rabies immunoglobulins.”

      “the release of the shipment submitted shall be within two hours of submitting the goods for the inspection of the relevant authority.”

Cats

1. Get ready

   1. Age ruleEntering Oman

      Older than four months

      Your pet must be more than four months old when it is imported.

      Details and the official words

      “The pet (dogs and cats) must be more than four months old.”

   2. IdentificationEntering Oman

      Microchip, recorded on the vaccination record

      Your pet needs an electronic microchip, and its number must be on the vaccination record you send with the permit application.

      Details and the official words

      “The electronic microchip identified for the pet on the immunization record.”

   3. VaccinationEntering Oman

      Rabies vaccination after 12 weeks of age

      Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies after it is 12 weeks old. Its vaccination record must go back to its birth and carry its photo and microchip number.

      Details and the official words

      “The pet (dogs and cats) must be immunized against rabies after completing 12 weeks of age, and no more than 12 months have passed since the date of its immunization when imported.”

      “A record of the pet's immunizations, from the date of its birth.”

      “Photo of the pet on the immunization record.”

   4. VaccinationEntering Oman

      Rabies vaccination less than 12 months old on arrival

      No more than 12 months may have passed since your pet's rabies vaccination when it is imported. If its last shot will be older than that on arrival day, give a booster, and then do the blood test again 21 to 30 days later (see below).

      Details and the official words

      Add the date of your pet's most recent rabies shot to check this. The page doesn't say whether a 3-year vaccine counts for longer: we apply the 12 months to the most recent shot.

      “The pet (dogs and cats) must be immunized against rabies after completing 12 weeks of age, and no more than 12 months have passed since the date of its immunization when imported.”

   5. Blood testEntering Oman

      Rabies blood test (RNATT or FAVN) 21 to 30 days after the last rabies shot

      Have a blood sample taken 21 to 30 days after your pet's most recent rabies vaccination and tested (RNATT or FAVN) at an accredited laboratory. Oman counts from the date the result is issued: it must be at least 3 months and not more than 12 months old when your pet leaves. The page doesn't give the pass level; 0.5 IU/ml is the usual international standard, so confirm it with the Veterinary Quarantine Department.

      Details and the official words

      A new rabies booster means a new blood test 21 to 30 days later, and a new 3-month wait from its result.

      “To draw a blood sample to calibrate the immune bodies 21-30 days after the last rabies immunization (RNATT or FAVN).”

      “The period from the date of issuance of the results of the RNATT or FAVN should not be less than three months, and not more than 12 months when exporting the pet.”

      “Blood test to calibrate rabies antibodies, from an accredited laboratory.”

   6. PermitEntering Oman

      Veterinary import permit through the Bayan customs system

      Before your pet arrives, apply for the veterinary import permit through the customs Bayan system (OMR 20), attaching the vaccination record from birth with your pet's photo and microchip number, and the blood test result. Permits are approved within two hours, during working hours, seven days a week. The page doesn't say how long the permit is valid, so apply once the blood test result is ready and before you leave.

      Details and the official words

      “Obtaining a PRIOR veterinary permit (before the arrival of the pet) to import pets (dogs and cats)”

      “through the Customs Bayan System, accompanied by the following documents”

      “Approval of the permits shall be within two hours of the application, during the official working hours and for seven days a week (All days).”

      “OMR 20”

2. In the days before you travel

   1. Vet examLeaving South Korea

      Vaccination and health certificate from a Korean animal clinic

      Get the vaccination certificate and the health certificate from the clinic that vaccinated and treated your pet. Even if a rabies vaccination given abroad is accepted, you must also get a vaccination and health certificate from a domestic clinic within 10 days before departure.

      Details and the official words

      “you must get a vaccination and health certificate from a domestic animal clinic within 10 days before departure and submit it along with the foreign certificate.”

   2. PaperworkSouth Korea and Oman

      Government veterinary health certificate from the exporting country

      Your pet travels with a government veterinary health certificate from the country it is exported from. The page doesn't say how recent it must be: ask the Veterinary Quarantine Department.

      Details and the official words

      APQA quarantine certificate: The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency issues the quarantine certificate within the 10 days before departure (some destinations want it closer, for example within 7 days or 48 hours). Offices are open on weekdays from 9:00 to 18:00 (lunch 12:00 to 13:00); the offices at Incheon Airport Terminals 1 and 2 also open on weekends and public holidays. You can get it at the airport on the day of departure: arrive at least two hours before check-in, with every document ready, and call ahead because same-day issue isn't guaranteed.

      The certificate has a validity period set by the destination, typically counted from issue (for example 10 or 30 days). A certificate can be corrected and reissued at the issuing office or another one.

      “A government veterinary health certificate from the country of export.”

      “A quarantine certificate issued by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency can be obtained within 10 days before departure.”

      “Quarantine certificates are issued on weekdays from 9:00 to 18:00, except for weekends and public holidays.”

      “visit the airport quarantine office at least two hours before check-in.”

3. Travel day and arrival

   1. On arrivalEntering Oman

      Show the documents on arrival

      At the port of arrival (land, sea, or air as cargo or with passengers), show the import permit, the health certificate, the passport or vaccination record and the laboratory's blood test certificate. Release works around the clock: your pet is released within two hours of being presented for inspection.

      Details and the official words

      “Upon arrival at the port (land - sea - air cargo / passengers):”

      “A certificate from an accredited laboratory for the calibration of rabies immunoglobulins.”

      “the release of the shipment submitted shall be within two hours of submitting the goods for the inspection of the relevant authority.”

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves South Korea.

The trip back asks for 4 steps: ISO microchip, rabies blood test (antibody titer), health certificate from the exporting country's government and quarantine inspection at the port of entry.