Moving to Dubai?

Due in large part to an astounding economic boom in the region, there has been a growing trend over the past few years of people relocating to Dubai and other parts of the UAE. Dubai possesses a wonderful mix of traditions and cultures, ranging from Arabic and Asian to European and American. And the best part is that Dubai lets you be yourself, letting you live your life the way that you want to. It’s no wonder that Dubai is generally amongst the top ten holiday destinations recommended by most travelogues. Whether people want to be a part of such a thriving city for business reasons or just because they want to experience life with another culture, Dubai has definitely become one of the places to be. The scenic beauty of its coasts and beaches are always inviting, its malls are a shopper’s paradise, and the world class business centers, hotels, and resorts make sure that it is the place where the rich and famous meet to strike mega deals.

If you're thinking about moving to Dubai and would like to bring your pet, here's a little information to help ensure your animal companion makes it there happy and healthy!

First, your pet will need to be implanted with in an international microchip by your local vet. You will also need to make sure that your pet is up-to-date on all its current vaccines – especially rabies. Please note that “up-to-date” means that the vaccinations must be at least 30 days old from the date of travel.

Once these requirements are met, you must apply for an Import Permit. These can easily be obtained from the UAE Ministry of Environment & Water once you have all the required documents in place. This ensures that your pet can be relocated to Dubai without having to undergo any quarantine procedures.

Finally, you will need an official health certificate issued by or attested by a government vet from your country of departure. This health certificate needs to be issued within 10 days of departure.

Also keep in mind that, while vaccination of pets and the attachment of a Municipality ID disc to your pet’s collar are mandatory in Dubai, sterilization is also encouraged due to the ever growing population of strays. Furthermore, the rules and laws pertaining to pets are very accommodating and the government provides veterinary services at extremely affordable rates.