PetTravelPass

Bringing a dog or cat from the United Arab Emirates to South Korea

Under South Korea's rules, pets from the United Arab Emirates are in the group “All other countries”. A dog from the United Arab Emirates needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine, a rabies titer test and an official health certificate. There is no quarantine if every rule is met. Plan for 30 days from the first vaccine to arrival.

About South Korea: One of the easier rabies-controlled destinations. There is no permit and no waiting period after the titer test. Pets need an ISO microchip and a government-endorsed health certificate, and pets from countries APQA doesn't list as rabies-free also need a current rabies vaccine and a titer of at least 0.5 IU/ml from the last 24 months. Missing items mean quarantine at the owner's cost, and a missing health certificate means the pet is sent back.

All other countries Blood test

Titer test
Required
Wait after blood test
—
Import permit
Not required
Quarantine
None if rules are met

Minimum preparation: 30 days from the first rabies vaccine to arrival.

Step by step

  1. Microchip first

    Implant an ISO 11784/11785 chip before the rabies vaccine.

  2. Vaccinate against rabies

    The vaccine must be current on arrival. Pets under 90 days old at arrival need no rabies vaccine or titer, only a microchip and health certificate.

  3. Rabies titer test

    Draw blood and test it at an approved lab (for example, FAVN). The result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml, and the sample must be within 24 months of travel. No waiting period applies afterwards.

  4. Government-endorsed health certificate

    Get the certificate from the export country's government vet, showing the microchip, rabies vaccine and titer result. US certificates are signed by an accredited vet and USDA-endorsed within 30 days of export.

  5. Notify APQA for larger groups

    If bringing several animals (thresholds of 4+ and 10+ are both cited), notify APQA in advance and arrange quarantine-facility approval.

  6. Arrive at an authorised port

    Use Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae, Jeju or another designated airport/seaport, and present the pet and documents to APQA.

Released the same day if the microchip and titer are in order. If the titer is missing or under 0.5 IU/ml, the pet is quarantined at the owner's cost until the test is done (usually about 10 days or more).

Good to know

Cats
Same as dogs. Cats from Australia (and dogs and cats from Malaysia) also need a certificate stating they are free of Hendra/Nipah virus, or quarantine is extended by 21 days.
How many pets
Not limited. Advance notification is needed above a threshold (UK guidance says 4 or more animals; another source says 10 or more).
Parasite treatment
None required
Arrival
Airports: Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae, Jeju, Muan, Cheongju, Daegu. Seaports: Incheon, Busan, Gunsan, Pyeongtaek, Gwangyang, Sokcho. Whether pets can fly in the cabin is up to the airline.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to bring a dog from the United Arab Emirates to South Korea?

The United Arab Emirates counts as "All other countries" for South Korea. Starting from a pet with no rabies vaccine, the minimum is 30 days: rabies vaccine, a blood test at least 30 days later, then the waiting period before arrival.

Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from the United Arab Emirates to South Korea?

Yes. The blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccine.

Will my pet be quarantined in South Korea?

Not if every rule is met. Released the same day if the microchip and titer are in order. If the titer is missing or under 0.5 IU/ml, the pet is quarantined at the owner's cost until the test is done (usually about 10 days or more).

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 as dogs. Cats from Australia (and dogs and cats from Malaysia) also need a certificate stating they are free of Hendra/Nipah virus, or quarantine is extended by 21 days.

Sources

Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: South Korea pet import rules.

More destinations from the United Arab Emirates

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