Taking your Cat or Dog to Kuwait
Everything you need to know in 2026
Marhaba
Are you thinking about taking your dog or cat to the Kuwait?
We are here to help you.
Our vets are very familiar with the official requirements necessary to have a smooth travel and are happy to help if needed.
Requirements
⚠️ New requirement from September 2026 ⚠️
Kuwait has introduced additional rabies requirements for dogs and cats travelling from the UK. Pets now require a rabies vaccination and rabies antibody blood test (serology) before travel. Because the process takes several months, we recommend starting preparations well in advance of your intended travel date.
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A maximum of 1 pet per owner (per human passport) are allowed entry into Kuwait.
Additionally, the importation of dogs and cats into Kuwait is subject to the issue of an import permit which must be obtained prior to export from the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR):
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Item description
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Each pet must be identified with a microchip compliant with ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination so that the vaccination, blood test and export documentation can all be linked unequivocally to the same animal.
The pet must then have a valid rabies vaccination, followed by a rabies antibody blood test (serology). The blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and not less than 90 days and not more than 12 months before travel to Kuwait.
The serology must demonstrate an adequate rabies antibody response. We can arrange the blood sample and submission to an approved laboratory as part of the export process.
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Your pet must be examined by a vet within 48hrs before embarkation.
The Health Certificate is issued at the end of the visit.
Official Veterinarians (OVs) are the only vets authorised by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to sign the Health Certificate required to travel with your dog or cat to Kuwait.
All of our vets have gone through the rigorous training to become OVs and are authorised from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to perform different tasks on behalf of the UK Government. Completing this Health Certificate is one of them.
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Once issued, Kuwait requires the Export Health Certificate to be Legalised, which is the process of authenticating or certifying a document for use in another country (Kuwait, in this case).
In order to be legalised, the EHC needs both an apostille from the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCO) and legalisation by the Kuwaiti Embassy in London.
This process typically takes about 48hrs.
Why choose us 🐾
Taking your pet to Kuwait from the UK requires careful planning due to the strict timeline and the fact that the necessary travel documentation must be signed by vets with special qualifications. This can make the process very challenging for your regular vet.
We specialise in pet travel documentation and happy to help ensuring a safe, smooth, and stress-free journey for your furry friend.
✅ Experienced & Trusted – We’ve helped countless pet owners with their travel preparations, ensuring all documents are in order.
💷 Affordable & Transparent Pricing – Our Export Health Certificates have some of the most competitive rates in London.
🚪 Convenience at Your Doorstep – We can even perform all the necessary checks at your home, reducing the risk of your pet getting sick by avoiding exposure to unwell animals at the vet.
📄 Expert Handling of Documents – We prepare these documents daily, so you can be confident everything is completed correctly.
Let us take the stress out of pet travel—so you can focus on the excitement of your journey! 🇰🇼🐾