Pet import requirements for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia at a glance

The detail

Saudi Arabia, of ficially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in West Asia and the Middle East. Typical air gateways on file in clude JED, RUH, DMM, and MED. No – But highly recommended for Cargo entry.

Import requirements

Pets at least 4 months or older.

Age of the importer for Dogs must be 21 years old.

Age of the importer for Cats must be 18 years old.

They Ministry system is automated and will take the registered date from the border entry system for the owner.

The owner should have a valid residency (IQAMA or National ID) if coming as cargo. Visa’s & border numbers can be used for accompanied travel but can take longer for approval and may be rejected for permits

Import permits are required and valid for 30 days from the date of issue as listed on the permit. The arrival date listed is for in dication only. The permits are available from naama.sa and will take around 10 working days,

Expedited permits are available from Agriserv in conjunction with the MEWA platform costing SAR 345 if paid direct PER PET, an agent will usually add VAT if they are paying on behalf of the owner or exporting agent

The owner will need to provide access to the platform via Nafath or OTP codes allowing a third party to act on their behalf for the purposes of permit submissions

On occasion the permit process may be submitted to domestic security for pre-check approval. The in dividual will receive a text message (in Arabic) asking them to approve the check. This is via the Absher app. They need to log into the app and submit it is okay to check. No other link or message should be used.

Permits from MEWA are issued in around 7 working days, this can be expedited to 1 to 3 working days by submitting an additional request via AgriServ

MEWA & Agriserv requires the following documents for the application and issuance of an import permit:

• A copy of owner's passport.
• A copy owner's Iqama (residency visa).
• A copy of the vaccination records.

info@mewa.com.sa

https://sso.mewa.gov.sa/Account

https://mewa.gov.sa/en/Documents/SSO.pdf

A personal pet move is any move on behalf of an in dividual. This is limited to 2 pets per person for import but no limit (from Saudi Arabia) for export provided it meets destination requirements

Requires an agent

Requirements for pet entry are the same from all countries, there are no exceptions.

Iqama (local Identity card) or National ID

Visa and Border number applications are possible but are subject to approvals (not guaranteed)

Absher app (POA app, especially needed for dogs, and needed for clearance on behalf of the owner)

Nafath app (one time logon app allowing access to Naama website (agriculture)

Customs payments and ministry payments need to be made by SADAD (Saudi Domestic bank transfer system)

Identification and microchip

All pets entering Saudi Arabia must be microchipped; must be done before valid vaccines. The ministry will check microchip against HC and vaccination documents on arrival.

Rabies and vaccinations

Rabies vaccination - required. This must have been administered between min. 1 month (30 days) and 1 year at time of entry.

Dogs: Rabies, DHPPi (or similar in cluding in fectious hepatitis - ParaInfluenza)

Cats: Tricat/FELV, Rabies

Rabies vaccine should be between 1 month and 12 months at time of entry

Core vaccine just needs to be valid

Saudi Arabia doesn’t list overlapping vaccines as valid.

IMPORTANT: Certain countries (definitely the UK, RSA, Australia) have the Rabies requirement still listed as 1 to 6 months with their government agencies. Please ensure they will accept your Rabies vaccines if between 6 and 12 months, or if dispensation is available. This may also be applicable in other countries.

Tests and treatments

Not required

Health certificate and permits

An ORIGINAL government issued or endorsed health certificate must accompany the animals. USDA Electronically endorsed are accepted along with ORIGINAL Vaccination documents

The vaccination document must contain the pet details, and vaccine history, in cluding validating rabies and core vaccines (with stickers), stamped and signed by a vet / clinic.

A vet certificate can be issued by a clinic if the vaccination documents don’t contain the original sticker / vaccine details / signature or clinic stamp

The following must match the International Health Certificate:

• The name of importer must match the import permit
• The name of exporter should match exporter details on the Import Permit if listed on the HC
• Pet breed, details and microchip
• Be endorsed or stamped by the governing body in the country of departure
• Must be issued in the country as listed for export on the Import permit

All documentation should be signed in blue ink (any colour but black will be accepted) and should be endorsed / stamped by the owners vet / clinic

Import permits are required and valid for 30 days from the date of issue as listed on the permit. The arrival date listed is for in dication only. The permits are available from naama.sa and will take around 10 working days,

Expedited permits are available from Agriserv in conjunction with the MEWA platform costing SAR 345 if paid direct PER PET, an agent will usually add VAT if they are paying on behalf of the owner or exporting agent

The owner will need to provide access to the platform via Nafath or OTP codes allowing a third party to act on their behalf for the purposes of permit submissions

On occasion the permit process may be submitted to domestic security for pre-check approval. The in dividual will receive a text message (in Arabic) asking them to approve the check. This is via the Absher app. They need to log into the app and submit it is okay to check. No other link or message should be used.

Permits from MEWA are issued in around 7 working days, this can be expedited to 1 to 3 working days by submitting an additional request via AgriServ

MEWA & Agriserv requires the following documents for the application and issuance of an import permit:

• A copy of owner's passport.
• A copy owner's Iqama (residency visa).
• A copy of the vaccination records.

info@mewa.com.sa

https://sso.mewa.gov.sa/Account

https://mewa.gov.sa/en/Documents/SSO.pdf

Import Permit

International Health Certificate (endorsed / issued by government at origin)

FASAH approval for your customs broker (your agent or broker will assist)

Quarantine

There are no quarantine facilities in Saudi Arabia currently, pets will be returned to origin if they fail entry.

Restrictions and banned breeds

Number of pets imported: Saudi Arabia allows up to only 2 pets per owner every 180 days from the closure of a previous permit. Should there be more than 2 pets, they would need to be imported under another name/passport holder.

Banned Dog Breeds:

Pit Bulls - American Pit Bull Terrier, American Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier

Rottweiler and Rottweiler hybrid

Boxer

Mastiff and Mastiff hybrid - Brazilian Mastiff, Argentinian Mastiff

Japanese Tosa

Bull dogs- All (in cluding French Bulldogs)

Perro de Presa Canario - Canary Mastiff

Pictures must be submitted at the time of import permit application; approval is subject to the approving Government Veterinary Official.

Bengal Cats should 5th gen and have breed certificate and will require National Wildlife Commission approval in advance of any import permit being issued

Customs, agents, and airports

Yes – Required for all cargo shipments via Air

No – But highly recommended for Cargo entry

Airports:

• King Khaled Int. Airport, Riyadh,Saudi Arabia (IATA: RUH; ICAO: OERK)
• King Abdulaziz Int. Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (IATA: JED, ICAO: OEJN)
• King Fahd Int. Airport, Dammam, Saudi Arabia (IATA: DMM, ICAO: OEDF)

A full list of entry points is available when submitting the permits, there are no satellite office contact details for MEWA of fices, all applications go through the website

Only entry is permitted at airports where MEWA in spection posts are available. Currently NEOM and Red Sea airports don’t have of fices and can’t be listed as entry points. We are aware that some owners seem to be arriving accompanied without issue to NEOM Airport, but this is not recommended and can’t be guaranteed.

Airports listed on this destination file: JED, RUH, DMM, MED.

Cats and dogs must be accompanied by their original documents. Pets may enter as passenger's checked baggage, in the cabin or as cargo.

Export notes

Working Microchip

Valid vaccinations for destination country

Pet Photos

Destination documents

Export License (via MEWA as above)

No pet number limits for export (provided within acceptance of destination and airline)

Export Health Certificate (usually issued within 24 hours of departure – BE AWARE some airports will issue earlier but shouldn’t be relied upon)

Export permits are required and valid for 30 days from the date of issue as listed on the permit. The permits are available from naama.sa and will take around 10 working days.

Please remember permits will usually be required at least 3 working days before travel to complete export processes – It is recommended to advise owners / clients to apply for expedited if travel is within 14 DAYS to avoid delay or cancellation.

Expedited permits are available from Agriserv in conjunction with the MEWA platform costing SAR 345 if paid direct PER PET, an agent will usually add VAT usually if they are paying on behalf of the owner or exporting agent

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

CITES will ONLY be accepted at MED, DMM and ELQ

All animals other than Dogs & Cats are subject to Wildlife Commission approvals or additional approval from MEWA

Pigs are banned under all circumstances

Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture (MEWA)

AgriServ

National Commission for Wildlife

Maximum of 2 pets (1 permit) per 180 days PER IMPORTER. The start date is from the date of closure of your last permit. Be aware, for accompanied pets this can be several months after arrival, if MEWA of ficials were not requested on arrival.

No limits on Export permit applications

Please note all cargo services are now subject to SAR 345 fee from MEWA / Agriserv (subject to additional VAT is paid via a broker / agent) per shipment in spection fee

It can be difficult to walk dogs in parks and care should be taken to follow guidance (no dogs signs may be displayed). Dogs are not allowed in public areas or stores generally

Official contacts

[The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture](http://Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture (MEWA) Contact Information https://www.mewa.gov.sa/en/HowWeCanHelp/MinistryContactInfo/MinistryLocations/Pages/default.aspx AgriServ (Commercial arm of the ministry) https://agriserv.sa/en/aboutcompany)

AgriServ (Commercial arm of the ministry)

Saudi Arabian embassy in pretoria

Tel: +966 12 362-4230

Email: zaemb@mofo.gov.sa

Current as of May 2025

Disclaimer

Import rules change without much warning. Confirm every vaccine date, test, permit, and crate routing with the destination veterinary authority before you travel. This page is a planning brief for Furry Freight customers, last checked against the IPATA country profile dated 2025-06-19.

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