Planning to head out on a road trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or Saudi Arabia with your furry friend?
Many documents and procedures must be completed to take your pet cat or dog from Qatar via Saudi Arabia to the UAE, and the ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team is here to help you with it, along with information shared by Jasmine Maier, the founder of The Pawkeeper & professional pet re-locater Kimmy Clarkson.
Jasmine Maier had recently travelled to the UAE via road from Qatar with her dogs Sophie and Charlie from which she has shared her travel experiences.
Note:
Applicable fees:
Applicable fees:
You can get the above from your preferred veterinary service provider; alternatively, you could get only the medical documents from the vet and apply for the export permit and re-entry permit yourself via the ministry portal.
As you will be going to UAE via Saudi Arabia, you will need to cross the Abu Samra border (Qatar-Saudi Arabia border), for which you will need to obtain a 'pet transit permit'. The pet transit permit can be obtained through Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture website.
Once applied for, the request could take up to 5 days to be processed.
To enter UAE
To take your pet into UAE, you must apply for an import permit issued by the United Arab Emirates government. This can be applied online via the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Climate Change & Environment website.
To log in to the website, you must enter your UAE pass; therefore, you must first download the UAE Pass application (iOS | Android) and generate your account as a 'visitor'.
You will first apply for the 'import permission request'. Once approved, you can apply for the request to release your pet. You will have to complete the payment at the time of application; however, the request will remain at a 'pending' status until your pet has been inspected at the border. It is recommended that you apply for the pet release permit approximately 2 days before you arrive at the border.
To exit UAE and enter back to Qatar
Before returning to Qatar from the UAE, you must apply for an export permit known as the 'Request for a veterinary health certificate for exporting or re-exporting live animals' for your pet.
When you are exiting Qatar via the Abu Samra border, there are no procedures or documentation required for the pet aside from that required for yourself or any other accompanying passengers.
However, once the Abu Samra border is crossed and you've entered the Saudi Arabia side, you must provide the documentation.
Upon crossing the first booth, the Passport Control, you must drive towards the right side to reach a building called the 'Quarantine & Veterinary Services'. Here, you will have to exit your car and enter the building where there will be a vet present, or else you will have to call for the assigned one.
Here, the vet will check and validate your pet's documents (health certificate, vaccinations, and Saudi transit permit) and stamp them if everything is clear. The vet will also be checking the microchip of the pet.
Once this is done, you will continue to the customs booth to complete the rest of your exit procedure.
To find out more about the procedure to travel to UAE via road, have a read here - How to travel to UAE via road from Qatar
Once you are approaching the Al Batha/Ghuwaifat Port (the UAE/Saudi Arabia border), you must drive towards the Al Batha Customs Management Office Complex, which is approximately 5-6 km before the border.
Here, you will be able to see the Quarantine Veterinary office. At this point, your documents will be checked and stamped, and you will be given a paper as proof of being checked. Your pet's microchip will be checked once again here.
You will then be able to exit Saudi Arabia.
When you reach the UAE immigration booth, you must inform them of having a pet, from where you will be re-directed to the Quarantine Veterinary office. This office will be between the immigration and the vehicle check.
Here, you must present your Qatar export permit, UAE import permit, and your pet's passport - ensure to have two hard copies of your pet's passport, as it is necessary, and you can save time getting it scanned there.
Once all documents are checked, your pet's microchip will also be checked, and eventually, your documents will be stamped, and you will be given a paper. You must provide this paper to the customs; therefore, holding on to it will be essential.
When returning to Qatar you will need to have an export permit from UAE and a transit permit for Saudi Arabia again, which is specific for your return journey.
On your journey back, you only need to present these documents at the UAE & Saudi Arabian border; however, no stamps will be needed.
Once you enter the Qatar border, soon after the immigration, your pet and the documentation will be checked by a vet before clearing you to re-enter Qatar.
If you are travelling to Saudi Arabia by road with your cat or dog, you will need the following documents from Qatar & Saudi Arabia. The documents mentioned below are in addition to all medical-related documents already mentioned above.
The import permit and export permit for Saudi Arabia will have to be applied via the National Agricultural Services Company website. Both these documents can be obtained free of charge.
NOTE: To apply for a cat you will select the category of 'Pet Import Request', and to apply for a dog, you will select the category of 'Fierce Animal Importing'.
The export permit and re-entry permit from Qatar can be applied for using the Ministry of Municipality and Environment dedicated portal. The export permit costs QR 10 and the re-entry permit is free.
Travelling with your pet to Bahrain for a visit would not be advisable as there is currently no system in place to apply for the import permit and other documentation online.
All documents required from Bahrain will have to be physically obtained from the concerned authorities.
Jasmine Maier helps dog guardians in Qatar and worldwide live happier lives with their dogs. With a specialization in reactivity, fear, aggression, pet and assistance dog training, and puppy coaching, her goal is to give dog guardians tools to effectively change behaviour without fear or pain.
She is a certified and accredited Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant, Assistance Dog Trainer, Certified Trick Dog Trainer, Fear Free Certified Animal Trainer, CGC Evaluator by the AKC, and STAR Puppy Program Instructor.
RELATED: Get to know this Qatar resident who is a certified dog trainer and behaviour expert!
Kimmy Clarkson is a professional pet re-locater based in Qatar who owns and leads Privilege Pet Travel & Services. Privilege Pet Travel & Services has been offering pet relocation services for over 15 years in Qatar.
She shares her expertise and provides insightful free pet travel consultations alongside the main services provided by Privilege Pet Travel & Services.
Sources: United Arab Emirates Ministry of Climate Change & Environment/Naama/Jasmine Maier
Planning on a road trip to UAE with your pet? Will you be using this guide for your journey? Do let us know in the comments below. Do share this article - it keeps us going!
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