Who needs it?
Every pet leaving the UAE, whatever the destination and however it travels. Airlines will not accept a cat or dog for carriage without it. It sits alongside the destination’s own certificate; it does not replace it.
How do I apply?
Register in the MOCCAE digital services system (UAE Pass), fill in the electronic form for “Request for a veterinary health certificate for exporting or re-exporting live animals”, pay online, then attend the physical examination at a MOCCAE quarantine centre such as Dubai Airport Cargo Village or Zayed International Airport. The certificate is issued electronically.
What does it cost and how long does it take?
AED 100 for an animal consignment not exceeding 2 animals for personal purposes. AED 400 for other consignments. MOCCAE states a service completion time of 1 working day.
How long is it valid?
30 days from the date of issue. This is the trap: issue it too early and it has expired by the flight; too late and you have no time to fix a problem the examination finds. Most routes sit it inside the final two weeks, after the destination certificate is ready.
What do I bring?
The pet, the microchip record, the rabies vaccination certificate, the destination import permit or approval where one exists (companion animals are exempt from the import-permission copy requirement), and any additional test results the destination asked for.