Bringing a dog or cat from the United Arab Emirates to Hong Kong
Under Hong Kong's rules, pets from the United Arab Emirates are in the group “Group IIIB (all other places)”. A dog from the United Arab Emirates needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine, an import permit and an official health certificate. Expect at least 120 days of quarantine on arrival. There is no long waiting period, so a few weeks of preparation is usually enough.
About Hong Kong: Every dog and cat needs an AFCD Special Permit and must arrive as manifested cargo. Pets from Group I and II places can skip quarantine if every condition is met. Group IIIA (including Mainland China, Macao, Malaysia and Thailand) does 30 days of quarantine after a titer test. Everyone else (Group IIIB) does at least 120 days.
Group IIIB (all other places) Quarantine
- Titer test
- Not required
- Wait after blood test
- —
- Import permit
- Required
- Quarantine
- 120+ days
No long wait: No titer pathway; instead, long quarantine
Step by step
Vaccinate and microchip
Fully vaccinate the pet according to AFCD guideline G122. Vaccination certificates must show the date of birth, breed, sex and microchip number.
Permit and quarantine reservation
Get an AFCD Special Permit and book a space at a government quarantine kennel/cattery.
Serve 120 days' quarantine
The pet arrives as manifested cargo and is held for at least 120 days at the owner's expense.
At least 120 days at a government Animal Management Centre
Good to know
- Cats
- Same groups and steps as dogs. Cats need panleukopenia and cat-flu vaccines instead of the dog core vaccines. The rule that dogs 5 months or older must be rabies-vaccinated and licensed on arrival applies only to dogs. Bengal cats must be documented as 5th generation or later.
- Banned breeds
- Pit Bull Terrier (American Staffordshire Terrier), Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Crosses of the above, Staffordshire Bull Terrier needs a statutory declaration (not banned), Bengal cats earlier than 5th generation
- How many pets
- Not specified (one permit can cover several animals in one shipment)
- Parasite treatment
- Not specified on the pages checked
- Arrival
- Hong Kong International Airport, as manifested cargo only (no cabin or excess baggage, except approved assistance dogs). AFCD airport offices at the cargo terminals operate 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to bring a dog from the United Arab Emirates to Hong Kong?
The United Arab Emirates counts as "Group IIIB (all other places)" for Hong Kong. There is no rabies blood test or long wait. No titer pathway; instead, long quarantine 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 Hong Kong?
No. Pets from the United Arab Emirates do not need a titer test for Hong Kong if the other rules are met.
Will my pet be quarantined in Hong Kong?
Yes. Pets from the United Arab Emirates spend at least 120 days in quarantine on arrival.
Do I need an import permit?
Yes. Hong Kong requires an import permit, and you need to apply or notify at least 1 days before arrival.
Are the rules the same for cats?
Same groups and steps as dogs. Cats need panleukopenia and cat-flu vaccines instead of the dog core vaccines. The rule that dogs 5 months or older must be rabies-vaccinated and licensed on arrival applies only to dogs. Bengal cats must be documented as 5th generation or later.
Sources
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: Hong Kong pet import rules.