Internationally, relocating with your dog to Saudi Arabia falls at the very top of the list of difficult things to do as a pet owner. This is mainly because unlike a lot of others countries that focus mainly on vaccinations and health documents, to a large extent, the Saudi Arabian import process is dominated by strict, culturally and religiously influenced (Islamic Sharia) interpretations of the role dogs (other than working dogs, e.g. hunting, guarding, aiding the disabled, etc) play in society. This manifests in the extensive list of banned dog breeds and the complicated import bureaucracy that makes preparation all the more necessary. This is why it is so important to hire a professional pet relocator. That is what they do—they take a process that is very complicated and high risk and break it down into a simple and manageable sequence.
Below is a summary of the two main issues that you need to clear in order to obtain pet travel authorization.
The First Hurdle: The Breed Restriction
The most critical aspect of securing your pet’s entry is determining your dog’s breed. The Saudi authorities issue a long and detailed list of prohibited breeds. In general, permits are only issued for working dogs.
Prohibited Breeds (Partial List):
Many dogs that are considered family companions are on the banned list. For example, but not limited to:
- Bulldogs and English Bulldogs
- Bullmastiffs and Bull Terriers
- Rottweilers and Great Danes
- Boxers and Mastiffs
- All Terrier and Toy breeds
The Cultural Context: Currently in Saudi Arabia, dogs are only seen as pets. Most people only allow dogs to perform hunting, guarding and assisting (i.e. seeing-eye dogs). Therefore, if dogs from the banned list are your only option, you will not be allowed standard entry.
The Second Hurdle: Bureaucracy and Creative Solutions
Even if your dog is the right breed, the import doc is still very complicated. An official Import Permit from the Ministry has to be secured and your pet’s health certificate will probably need to be endorsed by both the State Department of the country you are leaving and the Saudi Consulate, which is probably very time-consuming and very complicated.
When the level of documentation and scrutiny is this high, it is very useful to have specialized knowledge. Professional pet transporters really shine in these situations, and especially when it comes to the challenges that are imposed by breed restrictions:
- Mixed Breeds: If your mixed-breed dog has characteristics of a banned breed but is primarily an allowed breed, they can often be identified by their dominant features to secure approval.
- Working Dog Letter: Although toy breeds and small dogs are typically prohibited, it is possible to gain access to these types of dogs with a ‘working dog’ exemption. This involves obtaining an official statement or letter from your veterinarian verifying the dog performs a guard or protection function.
Although the procedure is difficult, authorities rarely turn away a pet upon arrival, provided the paperwork is all meticulously prepared and endorsed. The paperwork is the guarantee.
If your destination is the Arabian Gulf region, your confidence in moving to nearby countries is attributed to your ability to manage Saudi Arabia’s unique import restrictions. Whether it is your first entry to the Kingdom or your plans involve traveling to one of the busy regional hubs, your ability in managing complex regulations for pets to Dubai or Riyadh allows you to concentrate on your new life.
