Bringing a dog or cat from the United Arab Emirates to Colombia
Under Colombia's rules, pets from the United Arab Emirates are in the group “All countries”. A dog from the United Arab Emirates needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine and an official health certificate. There is no quarantine if every rule is met. There is no long waiting period, so a few weeks of preparation is usually enough.
About Colombia: Fairly easy: no titer or permit in advance. Pets need an official health certificate dated within 10 days of entry, a rabies vaccine (21+ days for a first dose), core vaccines, and parasite treatment within 60 days. ICA inspects every pet on arrival and issues a CIS certificate, which you can request and pay for online beforehand.
All countries Paperwork only
- Titer test
- Not required
- Wait after blood test
- —
- Import permit
- Not required
- Quarantine
- None if rules are met
No long wait: A first rabies vaccine must be given at least 21 days before shipment.
Step by step
Vaccinate
Dogs: rabies plus distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza and coronavirus (and leptospirosis if given). Cats: rabies and feline panleukopenia. A first rabies vaccine must be given at least 21 days before shipment.
Treat for parasites
Give internal and external parasite treatment within 60 days before travel. Record the product, active ingredient and date on the certificate.
Get an official health certificate
The origin country's official authority issues or endorses it no more than 10 calendar days before entry. It lists species, breed, sex, age, colour, markings and microchip (if any), and states that the pet is healthy and fit to travel.
Request the CIS online
Register as a traveller-importer in ICA's SISPAP system, request the Certificado de Inspección Sanitaria (CIS), pay, and print the request and receipt. One request covers up to 5 pets of the same species. You can also pay at the ICA airport office by card only.
Report to ICA on arrival
Take the pet and documents to the ICA office at the airport, port or border. ICA checks the papers, inspects the animal and issues the CIS.
No quarantine if compliant. Pets under 15 weeks (unvaccinated), pets from countries that do not vaccinate against rabies, or pets without a valid certificate but with current vaccines can face home quarantine (at least 15 days) at the owner's cost. Other failures can lead to retention or return.
Good to know
- Cats
- Same process. Cats need rabies and feline panleukopenia vaccines (missing panleukopenia can be given after arrival at the owner's cost).
- How many pets
- Up to 5 pets of the same species per CIS request. No overall limit was found.
- Parasite treatment
- Internal and external parasite treatment within 60 days before shipment (dogs and cats).
- Arrival
- International airports, seaports and land borders with an ICA office.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to bring a dog from the United Arab Emirates to Colombia?
The United Arab Emirates counts as "All countries" for Colombia. There is no rabies blood test or long wait. A first rabies vaccine must be given at least 21 days before shipment. Allow a few weeks for the vet visits and the health certificate.
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from the United Arab Emirates to Colombia?
No. Pets from the United Arab Emirates do not need a titer test for Colombia if the other rules are met.
Will my pet be quarantined in Colombia?
Not if every rule is met. No quarantine if compliant. Pets under 15 weeks (unvaccinated), pets from countries that do not vaccinate against rabies, or pets without a valid certificate but with current vaccines can face home quarantine (at least 15 days) at the owner's cost. Other failures can lead to retention or return.
Do I need an import permit?
No import permit is needed for pets from the United Arab Emirates.
Are the rules the same for cats?
Same process. Cats need rabies and feline panleukopenia vaccines (missing panleukopenia can be given after arrival at the owner's cost).
Sources
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: Colombia pet import rules.