Destination guide
Bringing a dog or cat into Saudi Arabia
The entry requirements for a family pet travelling with its owner, quoted from the official government pages, and what changes depending on where your pet is coming from.
Make my dated planLimited official guidance. Ministry of Environment publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. MEWA's permit page lists only the conditions below. It does not mention a rabies blood test, quarantine or which origin countries are allowed, and MEWA's older printed pet-import guide is no longer online. Those rules may still exist, so ask MEWA (call 939) what applies to your route before you travel.
The short version
- Import permit needed
How early to start
The least time the officially fixed waiting periods allow, by where your dog is coming from. Vet, lab and paperwork appointment times come on top.
| From | Microchipped and vaccinated | Nothing done yet |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| United Kingdom | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Canada | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Australia | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Germany | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| France | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| India | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| United Arab Emirates | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
Every requirement
For every pet
Identification
Microchip or other approved identification
Your pet must be identified with an electronic microchip or another approved method.
Details and the official words
“Pets must be identified with an electronic microchip or another approved identification method.”
Age rule
At least 4 months old
Your pet must be at least four months old.
Details and the official words
The page doesn't say on which date the age is counted; we count it on the day your pet leaves.
“The pet must be at least 4 months old”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination
A rabies vaccination certificate must travel with your pet. The vaccination must still have at least 6 months of validity left.
Details and the official words
The page doesn't say on which date the 6 months are counted; we count them from the arrival date. It also doesn't say how long after the shot your pet may travel.
“The remaining validity period of the rabies vaccination must not be less than 6 months.”
Paperwork
Original veterinary health certificate
Your pet must travel with the original veterinary health certificate issued by the competent authorities in your country, plus the rabies vaccination certificate. You upload copies of both (and the vaccination record) with the permit application.
Details and the official words
The page gives no deadline for how recent the certificate must be.
“The pet must be accompanied by the original veterinary health certificate issued by the competent authorities and a rabies vaccination certificate (or for any other required diseases).”
Permit
Entry permit from MEWA (Naama platform)
Apply online on the Naama platform at least 15 days before the shipping date (it takes 5–7 days and is free). The permit is valid for 30 days from issue, and your pet must enter through the port named in it.
Details and the official words
“The request must be submitted at least 15 days before the shipping date”
“The permit is valid for 30 days from the issuance date”
When this route doesn’t work
Not covered by us yet · The pet is being sold, adopted or rehomed
The Naama permit page covers pets entering with their owners. Imports for sale or rehoming (for example commercial cat imports) have separate rules that we don't cover yet.
Restricted breeds
Banned in Saudi Arabia, pure or mixed: Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Boxer, Mastiff, Tosa, Bulldog and Perro de Presa Canario. Dogs must belong to a breed that is allowed.
Good to know
- The person applying for the permit must be at least 21 years old for a dog and at least 18 for a cat.