Pet Transport from Saudi Arabia to the United States: 2026 Guide
Saudi Arabia is classified as a high-risk country by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for dog rabies. This changes the entry process significantly for dogs. The key question to answer first is whether your dog was vaccinated in the …
The Saudi Arabia to United States import process
Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.
Responsible: Owner, ideally with a pet transport specialist
Responsible: Vet
Responsible: MEWA-authorised vet
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
Responsible: MEWA-authorised vet
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
Responsible: Airline cargo, CDC inspection on arrival
What your pet needs to enter United States
Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.
What this route typically costs
Critical points
Saudi Arabia is a CDC high-risk country for dog rabies. Dogs vaccinated outside the US face complex entry requirements. Understand your specific pathway before booking anything.
Dogs must arrive at a CDC-approved US airport. Not all airports accept pets from high-risk countries. Confirm your arrival airport is approved before purchasing flights.
The working-dog restriction applies to dogs within Saudi Arabia. If your dog is classified as a companion pet rather than a working dog, verify MEWA export clearance is obtainable before starting.
Cats face no federal vaccination or quarantine requirements entering the US, regardless of origin country. This is a significant contrast to dogs on this route.
Summer heat embargoes at Saudi airports (June to September) limit cargo pet services. Plan autumn or spring travel if possible.
Approved carriers for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.
What the CDC high-risk classification means in practice
The CDC revised its dog import rules in August 2024. Under the current framework, dogs coming from high-risk countries, which includes Saudi Arabia, follow different procedures depending on whether they were vaccinated in the US or abroad.
If your dog was vaccinated in the US before moving to Saudi Arabia, and you have documentation proving the US vaccination, the return process is more straightforward: a current CDC Dog Import Form and evidence of the US-issued vaccination.
If your dog was vaccinated outside the US, which is the common situation for expats who acquired their dog in Saudi Arabia, you face additional requirements. Your dog must arrive at a CDC-registered airport, and you will likely need to have reserved space at a CDC-registered animal care facility. This facility reservation must exist before your dog departs.
Cats are entirely separate. No CDC high-risk rules apply to cats. They can enter the US from Saudi Arabia with just a basic health check. No titre test, no facility reservation, no quarantine.
MEWA export documentation and the dog restriction
Exporting a pet from Saudi Arabia requires an MEWA export permit via the Anaam electronic platform, and an MEWA-endorsed health certificate from an authorised veterinarian. Allow at least two to three weeks for the permit process.
There is an important restriction to flag. MEWA allows dog imports into Saudi Arabia only for working dog classifications: guard dogs, guide dogs, and hunting dogs. Companion dogs brought into Saudi Arabia by expats sometimes enter under special permit arrangements. When it comes to exporting, the documentation should reflect your dog’s registration status with MEWA. If your dog was properly registered on arrival and is now leaving, the export process is usually straightforward. If the paperwork trail is incomplete, resolve it before attempting export.
Airlines from Saudi Arabia to the US
Direct cargo options between Saudi Arabia and the US are more limited than routes to Europe. Saudia operates direct and one-stop services to major US gateways including Washington Dulles. Emirates SkyCargo routes via Dubai. United and other carriers connect via European hubs.
Check that your chosen airline’s cargo service is available year-round on the specific route you need. Summer heat embargoes at Riyadh and Jeddah reduce cargo pet acceptance between June and September. Autumn departures (October to November) or spring (February to April) typically offer more reliable cargo availability.