Bringing a dog or cat to Oman: official requirements

Entering Oman

What your pet needs

In the order you do them. Rules marked “Applies when” are only for some pets, origins or routes.

1. Get ready

   Weeks or months ahead: the steps with waiting periods, so start here.

   1. Age rule

      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. Identification

      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. Vaccination

      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. Vaccination

      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 test

      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. Permit

      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

   Paperwork, treatments and stamps that must be recent when your pet travels.

   1. Paperwork

      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

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

3. Travel day and arrival

   How your pet travels and what happens at the border.

   1. On arrival

      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.”

Worked out from the rules

How long it takes from each country

For a pet coming from each country: the group Oman’s rules put it in, and the least time the official waiting periods allow. Tap a country for the full route.

Money

What it costs to enter Oman

Oman’s government fees, exactly as the official pages state them, and what the rules make you pay for.

Dogs

Restricted breeds

Banned in Oman (Resolution 222/2019): Pit Bull, Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully, Mastiff, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, Presa Canario, Boxer, Boerboel, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, Anatolian Karabash and Great Dane, and any mix of these breeds.

Where this comes from

Official sources

Questions owners ask