Pet Relocation Dubai to India & India to UAE: Cost, Rules & Timeline
Planning pet relocation Dubai to India means satisfying India’s AQCS import pathway and your airline’s acceptance rules. The return direction is different: pets entering the UAE from India must meet current MOCCAE import, microchip, vaccination, parasite-treatment and rabies-titre requirements.
UAE ⇄ India pet relocation cost estimator
This is a budgeting tool, not a live airline or relocation-agent quote. Private veterinary, crate, cargo and service costs vary by route, pet size and provider. Government fees shown in the note use the current federal UAE service fees verified for this update.
Pet Relocation Dubai to India: What You Need for Each Direction
UAE → India
- Check whether you qualify for India’s pet-under-baggage route: up to two dogs/cats, proof of at least two years abroad, and transfer of residence to India.
- Obtain an official veterinary health certificate from the competent authority in the UAE. India requires the owner and pet details to match the travel records.
- For dogs aged three months or older, and for cats, rabies vaccination must be more than one month but within 12 months before embarkation under the AQCS baggage checklist.
- Keep current records for the other required canine/feline vaccinations and the owner declaration that the animal is a bona fide pet with no commercial, gift or breeding purpose.
- Plan arrival through an AQCS-supported entry point and complete the required examination/clearance process.
India → UAE
- Obtain the MOCCAE import permit before shipment. The current federal fee is AED 200 per animal and the permit is valid for 90 days.
- The pet must have a permanent microchip that matches the veterinary health certificate and vaccination record.
- India is not on the UAE low-risk list, so a rabies antibody titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml is generally required for first-time import.
- If rabies vaccination is a first dose or has lapsed, allow at least 21 days after vaccination before the titre blood draw. A current booster may be tested immediately.
- Internal and external parasite treatment must be documented within 14 days before shipment. Current UAE release fee: AED 500 per dog or AED 250 per cat.
Build one clean document pack before you book
Most relocation delays come from mismatched names, microchip numbers, vaccination dates or health-certificate details. Build one master file and check every document against the pet’s microchip before the final veterinary appointment.
| Document / check | UAE → India | India → UAE |
|---|---|---|
| Microchip | Strongly recommended for document consistency; follow AQCS/airline instructions | Required and must match the health/vaccination documents |
| Official health certificate | Required by AQCS from the competent authority in origin country | Required for release in the UAE |
| Rabies vaccine | More than 1 month and within 12 months before embarkation under baggage checklist | Required and must meet UAE vaccination conditions |
| Rabies titre | Not listed as a general requirement in the AQCS baggage checklist | Generally required from India as a higher-risk origin |
| Import permit | India process depends on baggage / DGFT / re-import category | MOCCAE permit required before shipment; valid 90 days |
| Parasite treatment | Follow health-certificate and airline requirements | Internal + external parasite treatment within 14 days before shipment |
AQCS clearance is part of the journey, not an afterthought
AQCS currently lists six quarantine stations / pet entry locations: New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Confirm the intended station before booking because routing and local handling can affect the clearance plan.
The India baggage rule is the detail most likely to derail a booking
Rabies titre timing needs to be planned early
For pets entering the UAE from India, the titre result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml. MOCCAE states that when rabies vaccination is a first vaccination or has lapsed, at least 21 days must pass after vaccination before the blood sample is taken.
If the rabies vaccination is a valid booster, the 21-day waiting period before testing does not apply. MOCCAE currently states that the titre certificate can remain valid for 365 days if rabies vaccination remains continuously valid during that period.
Pet Relocation Dubai to India: Airline and Government Checks
Even when the government paperwork is correct, an airline can impose its own limits on crate dimensions, animal type, breed, cabin or cargo acceptance, transit routing and seasonal operating conditions. Confirm the exact carrier and flight before paying non-refundable transport costs.
A sensible planning order
4–8+ weeks before
Confirm which legal pathway applies, verify airline acceptance, check rabies timing, and begin any titre testing needed for the UAE direction.
1–3 weeks before
Finalize crate fit, veterinary documents, parasite treatment timing, owner/travel records and government applications.
Final days
Reconfirm flight, entry point, original documents, health certificate validity, crate labels and the receiving-side clearance plan.
UAE ⇄ India pet relocation FAQ
No. AQCS currently links the up-to-two-pet baggage pathway to transfer of residence after at least two years of continuous stay abroad. Other situations may require a different customs or DGFT process.
The published AQCS pet-under-baggage checklist focuses on official health certification and rabies vaccination timing and does not list a general rabies titre requirement for that pathway. AQCS can still request additional documents or testing case by case.
Generally yes. India is not on the current MOCCAE low-risk list, so pets entering the UAE from India are treated under the higher-risk rules and usually need a rabies antibody titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
AQCS currently lists New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Confirm the intended station before booking because procedures can change.
MOCCAE currently lists AED 200 per animal for the import permit, plus AED 500 per dog or AED 250 per cat for release. Private veterinary, airline, crate and relocation-agent charges are separate.
MOCCAE currently lists AED 100 for a veterinary health certificate covering a personal animal consignment of up to two animals. Additional veterinary, airline and handling costs are separate.
Rules checked against government sources
This guide was rechecked on 2026. Government and airline requirements can change, so verify again before booking or paying non-refundable transport charges.
