Saudi Arabia Pet Import Requirements & Vet Timeline
Official pet import rules for bringing a dog or cat into Saudi Arabia under MEWA (Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture). Review the rule table below or pick your origin country, airline, breed, and flight date in the calculator to generate your exact paperwork schedule.
Official Saudi Arabia Pet Import Rules at a Glance
Summary of MEWA (Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture) entry rules for accompanied dogs and cats.
| Import Biosecurity Authority | MEWA (Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture) |
|---|---|
| Outbound Export Authority | MEWA Naama Platform |
| ISO Microchip Standard | ISO 11784/11785 15-digit (must be implanted on or before rabies vaccination) |
| Primary Rabies Vaccine Wait | Minimum 30 days before arrival |
| Rabies Blood Titer Test (FAVN / RNATT) | Not required when arriving with a valid rabies vaccination administered on or after ISO microchipping (30-day primary wait). |
| Dog Tapeworm (Echinococcus) Treatment | No 24–120 hour statutory tapeworm window; follow standard pre-flight parasite check |
| Health Certificate & Endorsement Window | MEWA Import Permit & Attested Veterinary Health Certificate — endorsed within 10 days before departure |
| Advance Import Permit | Required (apply at least 30 days before travel) |
| Permitted Aircraft Arrival Mode | Manifest Cargo ONLY by national law (commercial cabin arrival prohibited) |
| Post-Arrival Quarantine | 0 days (immediate clearance when all pre-arrival rules are met) |
Calculate Your Saudi Arabia Pet Travel Timeline
Pre-set for arrival in Saudi Arabia. Change your origin country, airline, breed, or departure date below to see your custom schedule.
Enter Your Trip & Pet Details
Choose your origin, destination, airline, breed, and target flight date to get every vet step in reverse order.
Min: 31d • Ideal: 50d
Feasible Timeline: 75 days available (31 days strict minimum)
Starting today gives you sufficient runway to complete Saudi Arabia's veterinary sequence, government endorsement via USDA APHIS (VEHCS), and Delta Air Lines pet booking.
Saudi Arabia prohibits in-cabin commercial pet arrivals. Your Golden Retriever (30 kg) is eligible to travel as Manifest Cargo via Delta Cargo Variation Live in an IATA Series 500 (102 x 69 x 76 cm). Book through an IPATA freight agent 14+ days prior to departure.
🌡️ Seasonal Temperature Advisory (January): Cargo embargo when forecasted ground temperature is above 27°C (80°F) or below 7°C (45°F) without acclimation certificate.
Step-by-Step Vet & Travel Schedule
Counting backward from USA (US) Saudi Arabia (SA) arrival.
📅 On or before Tue, Dec 15, 2026
Implant or scan-verify a non-encrypted ISO 11784/11785 15-digit. Any rabies vaccination administered BEFORE the microchip implantation date is legally invalid for Saudi Arabia.
⚠️ Ensure the exact 15-digit barcode sticker is affixed to all vaccination and health certificates.
📅 No later than Wed, Dec 16, 2026
Administer WHO/WOAH-approved inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccine (pet must be >= 12 weeks old). Triggers 30-day primary immunity wait required by MEWA (Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture).
⚠️ Record vaccine manufacturer, product name, batch/lot number, administration date, and valid-until date.
Unlock Full Compliance Packet ($29)
See your exact hour-by-hour tapeworm treatment window, USDA APHIS (VEHCS) endorsement cutoff, Printable Vet Sign-Off PDF, and Apple/Google .ics Calendar Sync with 48-hour alerts.
- Exact 24–120h tapeworm and parasite treatment times
- Printable Vet Sign-Off & 15-Digit Microchip PDF Packet
- One-click .ics Calendar Sync with 48h advance reminders
One-time checkout via PayPal or card • Instant PDF & .ics download
Confirm requirements with a government-accredited vet before travel.
Arriving in Saudi Arabia: Airport & Customs Checklist
- Dogs are restricted solely to approved hunting, guard, or service classifications on MEWA Naama permits; cats are broadly permitted with import permit.
Frequently Asked Questions: Bringing a Pet to Saudi Arabia
How far in advance should I start preparing to bring a dog or cat to Saudi Arabia?
MEWA (Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture) recommends starting at least 50 days before travel. Your pet must have an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit implanted on or before its rabies vaccination, followed by a 30-day primary rabies immunity wait.
Does Saudi Arabia require a rabies antibody blood test (FAVN / RNATT)?
Not required when arriving with a valid rabies vaccination administered on or after ISO microchipping (30-day primary wait).
Can my dog or cat fly in the passenger cabin into Saudi Arabia?
No — Saudi Arabia mandates Manifest Cargo arrival for commercial flights under MEWA (Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture) biosecurity rules; pets cannot land in the passenger cabin on commercial airlines.
When must the veterinary health certificate be endorsed before flying to Saudi Arabia?
Your government-accredited veterinarian must issue "MEWA Import Permit & Attested Veterinary Health Certificate" and obtain official export authority endorsement within 10 days before departure.
Popular Flight Routes into Saudi Arabia
- 🇺🇸 Fly a Dog from USA to Saudi Arabia on Delta Air Lines
- 🇬🇧 Fly a Dog from United Kingdom to Saudi Arabia on Delta Air Lines
- 🇦🇪 Fly a Dog from UAE to Saudi Arabia on Delta Air Lines
- 🇩🇪 Fly a Dog from Germany to Saudi Arabia on Delta Air Lines
- 🇫🇷 Fly a Dog from France to Saudi Arabia on Delta Air Lines
- 🇨🇦 Fly a Dog from Canada to Saudi Arabia on Delta Air Lines
- 🇦🇺 Fly a Dog from Australia to Saudi Arabia on Delta Air Lines
- 🇯🇵 Fly a Dog from Japan to Saudi Arabia on Delta Air Lines