Bringing a dog from the UAE to the U.S.: CDC high-risk rules

By Aaron Houston · Last checked 2026-10-27 against official CDC/USDA sources

The UAE is a high-risk country for dog rabies

CDC lists the United Arab Emirates as high risk for dog rabies. Any dog that was in the UAE in the 6 months before reaching the U.S. must meet the high-risk rules. (CDC: High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies; CDC: Bringing a Dog into the U.S.) Source: CDC and USDA APHIS pages below, last checked 2026-10-27.

Dog vaccinated in the UAE (expat moving to the U.S.)

This is the most common case for families relocating from Dubai or Abu Dhabi. CDC treats the dog as foreign-vaccinated, so you need (CDC: Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries):

a microchip implanted before the rabies vaccine, and a dog at least 6 months old;
the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, completed by your vet within 30 days of travel and endorsed by an official government veterinarian;
a passing titer from a CDC-approved lab, or else a 28-day quarantine;
a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility for exam and revaccination, and a flight arriving directly at that airport;
a CDC Dog Import Form receipt matching the arrival date and airport.

CDC's checklist suggests starting 60+ days before the flight and carrying two copies of the endorsed form in case the airline keeps one (CDC: foreign-vaccinated checklist).

The titer lab in the UAE

CDC's approved-lab list (updated July 13, 2026) has one entry for the UAE: the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CDC: Approved Rabies Serology Laboratories). The draw must be at least 30 days after the first valid vaccine and 28 days before entry. A titer done only for the UAE's own rules at another lab will not count for the U.S.: CDC accepts results only from labs on its list, sent directly by that lab.

Shortening quarantine without a titer

If you skip the titer, quarantine can sometimes be cut short through prospective serologic monitoring (PSM) when the dog meets CDC's conditions; the option is not available for dogs imported for rescue or resale. (CDC: Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations)

U.S. dog visiting the UAE and coming back

Get the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form endorsed by USDA before departure; it can be reused for later trips while the vaccine is valid. See returning with a U.S.-vaccinated dog. (CDC: U.S.-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries)

The UAE's entry rules for that outbound trip are strict. USDA APHIS lists (USDA APHIS: Pet Travel From the U.S. to the UAE, last modified Oct 20, 2026):

an import permit from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, valid 30 days;
a limit of 2 pets a year (2 dogs, 2 cats, or one of each), traveling as manifested cargo;
dog at least 15 weeks old, rabies vaccine 21+ days before travel, plus distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis and leptospirosis;
a USDA-endorsed health certificate valid 10 days, parasite treatments within 14 days, and a rabies titer of at least 0.5 IU/ml from a sample taken within 12 months;
banned breeds, including pit bull types, many mastiff breeds (Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino, Bullmastiff and others), Tosa and their mixes.

These are the UAE's requirements, not CDC's. Your U.S. titer for the UAE is not needed for the return trip if the dog has the USDA-endorsed U.S. vaccination form.

Unconfirmed: Which UAE authority endorses CDC's foreign-vaccination form for dogs leaving the UAE, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory's location and how to submit samples, and any UAE export permit were not confirmed on official U.S. sources for this page. Ask your vet and the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

Sources

Keep going: This page is part of our main guide to bringing a dog into the U.S., which walks through every decision in order. Related questions: High-risk countries explained. Ready to act? See CDC Dog Import Form.