Pet Travel from the UK to Saudi Arabia: Dog & Cat Import Requirements

Step 1 — Check if Your Pet Is Allowed to Enter Saudi Arabia

Cats

• Cats are generally permitted (subject to rabies vaccination and certification)

Dogs — Restricted Entry

Saudi Arabia does not allow general pet dog imports. Only the following are normally permitted:

• Watch / guard dogs

• Hunting dogs

• Guide dogs for the blind

All other dogs should only travel if written approval is obtained from Saudi authorities in advance.

Prohibited Dog Breeds (Not Accepted)

Examples from the banned list include:

• Rottweiler

• Boxer

• English Bulldog

• Bull Terrier / Staffordshire Bull Terrier

• Mastiff types (including Bullmastiff & Neapolitan Mastiff)

• Great Dane

• Newfoundland

• Akita

• Leonberger

• Several others

If a dog falls into these categories, export is normally refused.

Practical advice: Always confirm acceptance with the Saudi importer/authority before spending money on certification.

Step 2 — Microchip Identification

Your pet should be:

• Microchipped before or at the time of vaccination

• Microchip number must match all documents

• OV will scan and verify at certification appointment

Step 3 — Rabies Vaccination Timing (Dogs & Cats)

All dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies:

• Must be given at least 30 days before export

• Must be given no more than 6 months before export

• Vaccine certificate must be attached to the EHC

• Certificate should include:

  • vaccine name

  • batch number

  • manufacture date

  • expiry date

If rabies timing is outside this window → certification cannot proceed.

3 year vaccines are not recognised.

Step 4 - Core Vaccinations (Mandatory for Dogs & Cats)

In addition to rabies vaccination, core vaccinations are mandatory for pets entering Saudi Arabia.

Dogs must be vaccinated against:

• Distemper

• Parvovirus

• Adenovirus (Hepatitis)

• Leptospirosis

• Parainfluenza

• Bordetella (Kennel Cough)

Cats must be vaccinated against:

• Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR)

• Calicivirus

• Panleukopenia

Vaccinations must be valid at the time of export and supported by official vaccination records. These details will be reviewed during the Export Health Certificate (EHC 2914) appointment.

Step 5 — Apply for an Import Permit (Mandatory for Cats & Dogs)

All pets entering Saudi Arabia require an Import Permit, whether a cat or a permitted dog category.

Important timing rules:

• Must be applied for at least 15 days before export

• The permit is valid for 30 days from issue

• Travel must occur within this validity window

How to Apply

Owners (or their Saudi-based representative/importer) must apply through the official Naama Portal.

Dog Permit

Cat Permit

You will need:

• Pet details (species, breed, microchip)

• Rabies and routine vaccination information

• Owner and consignee details

• Purpose of import (especially for dogs)

For dogs, written approval must be confirmed before proceeding if the dog is not clearly within an accepted category.

Practical advice: Apply early enough to respect the 15-day rule, but not too early that the 30-day validity expires before travel.

Step 6 — Owner / Representative Dog Declaration (Form 2914OWN — Dogs Only)

For permitted dog categories (guard / hunting / guide dogs):

A Saudi Arabia Owner Declaration (2914OWN) must be completed.

This includes:

• Statement of the dog’s purpose (guard / hunting / guide)

• Confirmation the dog is not a prohibited breed

• Owner or representative signature

• Countersignature by an Official Veterinarian

This declaration must:

• Travel with the Export Health Certificate

• Be completed before or at the EHC appointment

Step 7 — Book Your Export Health Certificate Appointment (EHC 2914)

Saudi Arabia requires:

• Export Health Certificate 2914EHC

• Must be issued by a UK Official Veterinarian (OV)

• Signed and stamped (not in black ink)

You should request the EHC through the government EHC Online system when:

• Rabies timing is correct

• Travel date is known

• Airline approval is in progress

We guide clients on when to submit the EHC request so timing stays compliant.

Step 8 — Airline Approval Is Mandatory

Saudi Arabia requires:

• Airlines to obtain prior permission to transport pets into the country

• Consignee (receiver) details must be provided:

  • Name

  • Address

  • Phone number in Saudi Arabia

Do not assume airline acceptance — this must be confirmed early.

Step 9 — Transport Requirements

Pets must travel:

• In IATA-approved crates

• Under live animal air transport standards

• With correct routing and airline clearance

Brachycephalic breeds may face airline restrictions regardless of country rules.

Step 10 — Official Veterinary Certification Appointment

Your pet must be examined by an Official Veterinarian within 96 hours (4 days) before departure as part of the Export Health Certificate (EHC 2914) process.

• Scan and verify microchip

• Review rabies vaccination certificate

• Review supporting documents

• Complete EHC 2914

• Countersign dog declaration (2914OWN) if required

• Confirm compliance with Saudi restrictions

If anything is missing or out of timing → certificate cannot be issued.

This certificate is valid for 7 days.

Step 11 — Document Legalisation (Mandatory)

Saudi Arabia requires legalisation of the signed EHC after OV certification.

This is done through the UK government legalisation service (FCDO):

• Submit the signed certificate for legalisation

• Apostille is applied

• This step is mandatory before travel

Processing times vary — allow buffer time.

Urgent services are available but cost more.

Step 12 — Final Pre-Travel Checks

Before departure, confirm you have:

• Legalised Export Health Certificate (EHC 2914)

• Rabies and Routine vaccination certificate attached

• Import permit

• Owner declaration (2914OWN) if dog

• Airline approval confirmed

• Consignee details provided

• IATA crate compliant

Ready to Start Your Pet’s Saudi Arabia Travel Paperwork?

If you’re planning to travel from the UK to Saudi Arabia with your dog or cat, we can help make the process clear, organised, and stress-free.

Complete our enquiry form and we’ll review your pet’s details, travel dates, vaccination history, and certification requirements so we can guide you through the next steps.

Ready to get started? Click below to begin your Saudi Arabia pet travel enquiry.

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