Dog or cat from Uruguay to Chile: official requirements

1. Get ready

   1. IdentificationUruguay and Chile

      Permanent individual identification (microchip or tattoo)

      Your pet must be identified individually and permanently by a microchip or a tattoo, following ISO 11784/11785. The number on the CVI must match the animal's.

      Details and the official words

      We can only mark a microchip as done from your pet's records; a tattoo that meets the standard is also accepted.

      Dogs: microchip registered with the national animal welfare institute (INBA): A dog leaving Uruguay must be microchipped and registered with the Instituto Nacional de Bienestar Animal; the chip is linked to its international health certificate.

      “Deben estar identificados de forma individual y permanente, mediante tatuaje o microchip (conforme a las normas ISO 11784/11785).”

      “SI ES PERRO: Microchip y registrado en el Instituto Nacional de Bienestar Animal, el que estará asociado al Certificado Sanitario Internacional, según Resolución Nº 273 de la DGSG del 27/08/2018.”

   2. VaccinationEntering Chile

      Rabies vaccination

      A pet that is vaccinated for the first time (or whose last dose was given after the previous vaccine expired), at any age, must be immunised at least 21 days before entering Chile. For a pet that is not a first-time vaccinate, the last two doses must be certified, otherwise it counts as a first-time vaccinate.

      Details and the official words

      The 21-day wait only applies to a first or lapsed vaccination; the plan shows it for every vaccine date, so a pet with an in-date booster can ignore it.

      “deben ser inmunizados al menos 21 días previos al ingreso a Chile”

      “En animales no primo-vacunados, se debe certificar la información de las 2 últimas dosis aplicadas, de lo contrario se considerarán como primo-vacunados.”

2. In the days before you travel

   1. Vet examEntering Chile

      Clinical examination by a vet

      A vet examines your pet within the 10 days before the CVI is issued and finds no clinical signs of infectious or parasitic disease.

      Details and the official words

      “dentro de los 10 días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI”

   2. Vet examLeaving Uruguay

      Health certificate from an MGAP-accredited private vet

      Within the 10 days before you go to MGAP, an MGAP-accredited private vet issues a health certificate (with the professional stamp, inciso A: 650 pesos in 2026) showing that your pet meets every requirement of the destination, and fills in two copies of the CVI. Bring the originals and photocopies, plus any supporting documents (vaccination certificate, antibody test).

      Details and the official words

      “Un Certificado Sanitario emitido dentro de los 10 días previos por Veterinario Particular Acreditado por el MGAP (desde el 01/07/2023), con Timbre profesional inciso A. El mismo deberá reflejar que la mascota cumple con los requisitos del país de destino y deberá incluir toda la información necesaria.”

      “Dos vías del CVI prellenado por el Veterinario acreditado.”

      “01/01/26 al 31/12/26: $650”

   3. TreatmentEntering Chile

      Internal and external parasite treatment

      A broad-spectrum treatment against internal and external parasites, with a product approved by your country's health authority, given between 5 and 30 days before the CVI is issued.

      Details and the official words

      “Los animales deben ser tratados entre 5 y 30 días previos a la emisión del CVI con un antiparasitario de uso interno y externo”

   4. PaperworkUruguay and Chile

      International Veterinary Certificate (CVI)

      A CVI issued by the health authority of the country your pet is coming from, meeting all of Chile's requirements. It is valid for 10 days, extendable by up to 5 more depending on the travel conditions. Your pet's identification number on it must match the animal.

      Details and the official words

      SAG allows an extension of up to 5 days 'according to the conditions of the trip'; the page doesn't say who decides. We plan for 10 days.

      MGAP international veterinary certificate (CVI), within 10 days before travel: Book an appointment at an MGAP animal health office (in Montevideo: the customs building on Rambla 25 de Agosto, or the Carrasco airport cargo terminal), pay 666 pesos (BROU, Abitab or Red Pagos) and bring the accredited vet's certificate, the pre-filled CVI and proof of payment. MGAP issues the CVI within the 10 days before your trip; your pet doesn't need to come. Show the CVI at the border when you leave.

      “deben venir amparados por un Certificado Veterinario Internacional (CVI)”

      “El CVI tiene una vigencia de 10 días, con un máximo prorrogable de 5 días de acuerdo a las condiciones del viaje.”

      “Para salir del país con su mascota, es necesario un CERTIFICADO SANITARIO INTERNACIONAL (CVI) emitido por la Autoridad Sanitaria Oficial (MGAP) de la oficina zonal o local del Departamento donde radica, emitido dentro de los 10 días previos al viaje.”

      “Constancia de pago por el Certificado Oficial. Costo $666 depositado en -Cuenta Corriente BROU del MGAP 001558187-00030 o Abitab o Red Pagos en cuenta 152-0025194”

      “No se requiere la presencia del animal, debido a que el mismo se encuentra identificado con microchip y ha sido certificado por su veterinario.”

      “Presentar el CVI en el paso de frontera de egreso.”

3. Travel day and arrival

   1. On arrivalEntering Chile

      SAG check on arrival

      On arrival SAG checks that your health certificate (or EU passport) meets the requirements.

      Details and the official words

      “Al llegar a Chile, el SAG verificará que la certificación sanitaria”

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

The trip back asks for 9 steps: dogs: microchip (ISO 11784, HDX or FDX-B), linked to the certificate, rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination), dogs: negative leishmaniosis test within 60 days before entry and vet examination within 10 days before the certificate and more.

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

The trip back asks for 7 steps: rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination), vet examination within 10 days before the certificate, internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days before the certificate and international veterinary certificate (CVI) from the official authority and more.