georgia usa pet travel requirements

Traveling with Pets

CDC is extending its temporary suspension of dog importation from high-risk dog rabies countries until July 31, 2024. This suspension includes dogs arriving from countries without high risk of rabies if the dogs have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months. Learn about the current rules: What Your Dog Needs to Enter the United States

Photo Credit: Audilis Sanchez, CDC

Taking your dog or cat on a flight abroad? Make sure you have your pet’s documents when traveling internationally and returning home to the United States. Leave yourself plenty of time before the trip to take care of your pet’s required medical care and paperwork. Remember to start the process early.

First Stop—Your Vet’s Office

If you are traveling internationally, tell your veterinarian about your plans as soon as possible. Together, you can make sure your pet is healthy enough to travel and meets the requirements for your destination country  and for your return to the United States. Requirements may include

• Blood tests
• Vaccinations
• Microchips for identification
• Health certificates

Airlines and countries often have different requirements, so make sure you know what the specific ones are.

Research How to Fly with Your Pet

Talk to your vet about your travel plans and your dog’s rabies vaccination. Photo credit: David Heaberlin, CDC

Give yourself plenty of time to do your homework before your trip. A great place to start is the Pet Travel website  of the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

Different airlines have different rules about whether and how a pet can travel. Depending on the airline, your pet may be able to travel on your flight either in the cabin or in the cargo hold. Confirm this ahead of time with your airline.

On airlines that allow pets to travel, only small dogs and cats that can fit in special carriers under the seat are allowed in the cabin. Their owners must care for them during any layovers. Some airlines may not allow them in the cabin and will transport them as cargo in a heated and ventilated hold. Cats and dogs may travel and rest better this way, since it is quieter and darker, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Research how to fly with your pet. Photo credit: Misty Ellis, CDC

Another way for your pet to travel is on a separate flight as an air cargo shipment. If this is your preference, or a requirement based on your dog’s size or the destination country’s rules, then get your pet used to the shipping kennel ahead of time. Make sure the door latches securely to avoid any mishaps in transit. Ask your veterinarian for advice about when to give food and water. If a pet is traveling as an air cargo shipment , you must make arrangements for pickup at the final destination.

Some US carriers don’t allow pets to be shipped between May and September, the hottest months for animals to travel in the Northern Hemisphere.  No matter what time of year, safety is always a concern when pets travel by airplane. If absolutely necessary for a dog or cat to travel in cargo, it must be in a sturdy container with enough room to stand and sit, to turn around normally while standing, and to lie down in a natural position. For more information, visit the US Department of Agriculture pet travel website .

When waiting for a connecting flight, you may have to care for a pet traveling with you in the cabin, while the airline staff or ground handlers care for a pet traveling in cargo. Check with your airline(s) beforehand to see what is required.

Consider Your Pet’s Comfort

Consider your pet’s comfort when traveling. Photo credit: Misty Ellis, CDC

Loading and unloading can be the most stressful part of travel for animals. Consider these tips:

• Get your pet used to its carrier before the flight.
• Purchase flights with fewer connections or layovers.
• Pick departure and arrival times to avoid extreme heat or cold. For example, planning a nighttime arrival to a hot destination may be better for your pet.
• Consult with your veterinarian. The International Air Transport Association discourages the use of sedatives or tranquilizers because they could harm animals while in flight.
• Walk your pet before leaving home and again before checking in.
• If your pet is allowed in the cabin, check in as late as possible to reduce stress.
• If your pet will be transported as cargo, check in early so it can go to the quiet and dimly lit hold of the plane.

Cruise Ships and Travel by Sea

Different cruise ships have different rules about whether a pet or service animal can travel with you and what documents they require. Confirm this ahead of time with your cruise ship. If you travel with your pets internationally on a cruise ship or other maritime vessel, you will be required to meet federal entry requirements to enter or re-enter the United States with your pets. Note that CDC has temporarily suspended the importation of dogs arriving from countries that CDC considers high risk for dog rabies , including dogs that have visited a high-risk country in the past 6 months.

Requirements for Dogs Leaving the United States

CDC does not have requirements for dogs leaving the United States. However, if you plan to return to the United States with your dog, the dog will be required to meet the same entry requirements as dogs arriving from foreign countries (see below). If you plan to take your dog to a country at high risk for dog rabies , be sure to review the importation requirements  before leaving the United States, because your dog may not be allowed to return to the United States due to the current temporary suspension , which applies to dogs that live in the United States and have traveled to high-risk countries, even if only for a short visit.

Visit the US Department of Agriculture  website for pet entry requirements in foreign countries.

Requirements for Dogs Arriving in the United States

Meet the requirements for dogs entering the United States. Photo credit: Derek Sakris, CDC

Whether returning or coming to the United States, all dogs must appear healthy . There is a temporary suspension   for dogs imported from countries that CDC considers high risk for dog rabies .

Some states may require vaccinations and health certificates. Check with your destination state’s health department  before you leave on your trip.

Some airlines, cities, or states restrict certain breeds, so be sure to check before you travel.

The US Department of Agriculture  has additional restrictions for some dogs arriving in the United States, such as working dogs and dogs intended for resale or adoption.

Requirements for Cats Arriving in the United States

Cats aren’t required by CDC to have a rabies vaccination certificate to enter the United States. However, most states and many other countries require them for cats, and CDC recommends that all cats be vaccinated against rabies. Be sure to check your destination’s requirements and ask your veterinarian before traveling.

Other kinds of pets

If your pet is not a cat or dog, there may be different requirements. Some animals , such as primates (monkeys and apes) or African rodents , won’t be allowed back into the United States. Even if they originally came from the United States, they can’t be brought back here as pets.

With careful planning, your pet can stay healthy and safe while traveling. Photo credit: Audilis Sanchez, CDC

Illness or Death of a Pet During Travel

Despite all precautions, pets sometimes get sick or even die on an airplane. Public health officials are required to make sure an animal didn’t die of a disease that can spread to people. They may have to do an animal autopsy or conduct other tests, at your cost, to figure out the cause of death. The animal’s remains often cannot be returned to you after this testing.

Think of Different Options

Make sure your pet is healthy enough to travel by air. If you have any doubts, consider leaving your pet with a trusted friend, family member, or boarding kennel during your trip, or taking another mode of transportation.

With careful planning, your pet will arrive both at its destination and return home healthy and safe.

• Information on Dog Importation for US Rescues, Shelters, and Adoption Agencies
• Information on Dog Importation for US Veterinary Clinics
• International Air Transport Association- Traveler’s Pet Corner
• Animal Transportation Association
• International Pet and Animal Transportation Association
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• National Agricultural Library
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
• U.S. Department of State
• U.S. Department of Transportation 
• American Veterinary Medical Association
• CDC’s Healthy Pets, Healthy People website
• Travelers' Health
• Healthy Pets Healthy People
• Southern Border Health and Migration
• Port Health
• Division of Global Migration Health

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• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
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Home > Pet Passports > United States Pet Passport & Import Regulations

United States Pet Passport & Import Regulations (excluding Guam & Hawaii)

These regulations do NOT include the State of Hawaii or Guam. Regulations to import a dog or cat to Hawaii or import a dog or cat to Guam . Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs, cats and ferrets. Owners of other pets should refer to item 13.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has additional requirements the import of dogs from the following high-rabies countries. Dogs who have resided in, visited or entered the following countries within 6 months of import are also affected by this suspension. All pet owners wishing to import their dog from these high rabies countries to the United States are not subject to these requirements if they meet the following qualifications: Has a rabies certificate* proving a current rabies vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian in the United States. Has proof of a microchip listed on the rabies certificate. Is at least 6 months old. Is healthy upon arrival. Enters the United States at an approved point of entry (see below). UPDATE: *Effective March 1, 2023, all dogs entering the United States from high-rabies countries with a rabies vaccination that was administered in the origination country must have a completed Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record. This legislation includes dogs who have resided in, visited, or cleared customs and entered such a country within 6 months of import. Dogs intending to enter the US from these countries that do not meet the above criteria can either apply for an import permit or enter the United States at an airport that has approved quarantine facilities (MIA, LAX, JFK, ATL, IAD). If a valid rabies titer test is available, then quarantine will not be imposed on healthy dogs. If the titer test is invalid or no titer test is available, then a 28 day quarantine will be imposed. These requirements have been extended to July 31, 2024. HIGH-RABIES COUNTRIES

How to get a pet passport to import your dog, cat or other animal to the united states in 7 steps.

Pet passports (except EU Pet Passports) are simply the collection of documents required to import your pet to a specific country.

Step #1 - Export Requirements

Research export requirements for your origination country. Ask your veterinarian or Ministry of Agriculture. You can also find export requirements for many countries here.

Step #2 - Proof of rabies vaccination

Determine if the United States will require a rabies certificate for your pet to clear customs. Proof of rabies vaccination are required to import your pet to the United States from many countries.

Step #3 - Screwworm Inspection

Determine if you are originating in a screwworm-infected country in which case a screwworm inspection is required.

Step #4 - Import Permit

Determine if an import permit is required to import your dog when unaccompanied.

Step #5 - Veterinary Health Certificate

Visit your veterinarian to issue a pet health certificate for the United States .

Step #6 - Requirements to Import a Puppy

Determine requirements for importing a puppy to the United States .

Step #7 - Requirements to Return Home

Determine requirements to re-import your pet to your originating country. Find Regulations to re-import your pet to over 220 countries.

Information on Importing a Pet to the United States

Pet microchip.

The United States does not require that your pet be identified with a pet microchip unless your pet is entering the United States under one of the following conditions:

• Your pet is entering the United States from a high-rabies country.
• Your dog is entering the United States for commercial reasons (resale, adoption, etc.).
• Your dog is entering the United States from a country identified as having African Swine Fever (see step 5)

Vaccination Certificates

If your dog is entering the United States from a country the US considers as a high risk of rabies ( Click here for high-rabies countries ), your dog will need valid rabies certificate* proving current rabies vaccination. Dogs that have never been vaccinated against rabies must be vaccinated at least 28 days prior to arrival.

*Effective March 1, 2023, a completed Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record will be required for dogs with current rabies vaccinations administered in a high-rabies country who are entering the United States. Foreign-issued vaccination booklets or rabies certificates will not be accepted. The Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record is not required for dogs returning to the United States from non-high-rabies countries; however, it is recommended.

If your dog is entering the United States from a country that does not require a rabies vaccination, you must provide proof that it has lived in the origin country at least 6 months or since birth.

If your dog is over 15 months of age and you can provide rabies history that your dog has been vaccinated on or after 3 months of age and all boosters were administered before the previous vaccination expired, your dog does not need to wait 28 days after their last rabies vaccination.

The United States does accept 3 year rabies vaccinations. If the expiration date of the vaccination is not shown on the health certificate, then the date of vaccination must be less than 12 months prior to entry to the United States.

All requests to import an unvaccinated dog must be approved at least 10 business days in advance. Permits will only be given only to US residents and visitors staying 30 days or more in the United States.

Dogs being imported for commercial resale or adoption must also be vaccinated for rabies and distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza virus (DHLPP). See step 10 for more information.

Rabies vaccinations for cats are not required to enter the country, but requirements may be subject to State and local ordinances.

Rabies Titer Test (FAVN)

A rabies titer test is required to enter the United States from all high-rabies countries to avoid quarantine. If a valid rabies titer test administered at least 45 days before travel is not available, your pet will need to enter an Animal Quarantine Facility in an approved port of entry.

Screwworm Inspection - Dogs Only

Before your dog can enter the United States from the following countries, it must be inspected for certain screwworms within five days prior to entering the United States. Your veterinarian must verify that your pet has been inspected for screwworm, and the results are negative.

Screwworm Countries: Angola, Argentina, Aruba, Bhrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, China, Colombia, Congo (Democratic Republic of), Congo, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic, Dominican Republic, Easter Island, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, French Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Macau, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paracel Islands, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Spratly Islands, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

African Swine Flu - Dogs Only COMMERCIAL RESALE

Additional requirements will apply to dogs entering the US for commercial resale from the following countries identified for African Swine Fever:

Continent of Africa, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Kingdom of Brazil, excluding the State of Santa Catarina, Burma (aka Myanmar), Cambodia China, People’s Republic of, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Georgia, Haiti, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China), India, Indonesia (Republic of), Korea, Democratic People's Republic of, Korea, Republic of, Kosovo, Laos, Malaysia, Mauritius, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Ukraine, and Vietnam.

Additionally, any restricted zone in the European Union (EU) established by the EU or any EU Member State because of detection of African swine fever in domestic or feral swine is affected by these requirements.

• The dog and their crate must be free of dirt, wood shavings, hay, straw, or any other organic or natural bedding material.
• All bedding that accompanies the dog during transit must be properly disposed of at the U.S. port of entry.
• Each dog must have an ISO-compliant microchip implanted, and the individual microchip number must be verified immediately before each dog is bathed.
• Each dog must be bathed at the U.S. port of entry within 2 calendar days of arrival in the United States. Bathing must be documented in the Veterinary Services Dog Import Record.

Tapeworm Treatment - Dogs Only

Collies, shepherds, and other dogs to be used in the handling of livestock and that are imported from any part of the world except Canada, Mexico, and regions of Central America and the West Indies must have a tapeworm treatment administered by a licensed veterinarian shortly prior to entry to the United States and are subject to inspection and quarantine.

Import Permit

Effective July, 2021, all DOGS entering the United States from countries classified as high-rabies without a current rabies vaccination administered by a US-based veterinarian must either apply for an import permit or enter the US at an airport with a government quarantine facility (see above). If an import permit is secured, your dog can enter the US without quarantine.

All dogs being imported to the United States for commercial resale or adoption must have an import permit issued by the United States Department of Agriculture. See step 10 for more information.

An import permit will be required for many live animals including birds entering Alaska from Canada via a land border port. Cats and dogs are not included in this requirement; however, they will need a health certificate with a traceable number. Forms downloaded from the Internet will not be accepted.

Pet Health Certificate

A licensed veterinarian must complete and sign a pet health certificate . This certificate should be in English or be accompanied by a version translated in English. It should identify the animal, the dates of vaccination, the manufacturer and the expiration date of the rabies vaccine.

For pets entering Alaska from the United States mainland: the APHIS 7001 form will only be accepted if it has a unique and trackable identification number. A certificate number must be printed on the form. This form cannot be downloaded from the Internet.

Countries that require a rabies vaccination for dogs

Dogs entering the United States from these high-rabies countries will require a rabies certificate and should be vaccinated for rabies no sooner than 3 months of age and wait for 28 days before entering the United States. To avoid quarantine or when applying for an import permit, dogs should also have a rabies titer test 30 days after their rabies vaccination and more than 45 days prior to import.

Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Côte D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Croatia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan,Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Russia, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania (including Zanzibar), Thailand, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Entering the United States by Air

Pets from countries that the United States recognize as rabies free can enter the United States at international airports in many cities including but not limited to New York, Chicago, Washington DC, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, Portland Seattle and Chicago.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry. If the animal is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at the owner's expense.

All pets entering the United States unaccompanied as air cargo must be claimed by someone with US legal resident status or a citizen of the US and must have a valid US address.

It is strongly advised that dog owners importing more than 5 dogs owned personally by them via air cargo contact the CDC to avoid having the import be classified as commercial.

All interstate transports where a health certificate is required should use a multi-copy health certificate with a tracking number or the veterinarian must file the certificate electronically. Currently, this requirement primarily applies to airline travel.

Puppies and Kittens

Kittens are not required to be vaccinated for rabies to enter the US, however, they should travel with a recent health certificate and can be subject to State requirements which is why rabies vaccination is recommended.

Non-Commercial Import of Puppies

Puppies entering the United States for non-commercial reasons from all countries not listed in step #7 must be vaccinated for rabies at 3 months of age and wait for 28 days before entering the country. In certain cases, pre-approval for home quarantine can be obtained from the Center for Disease Control for unvaccinated puppies entering from non-rabies-free countries. See step 2 for more information.

Proof of age should be available.

Commercial Import of Dogs and Puppies

Puppies and dogs entering the United States intended for resale* or adoption must be 6 months of age and may not enter the United States from any country until fully vaccinated (rabies and distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza virus (DHLPP) and accompanied with an import permit.

This includes dogs being imported from Puerto Rico and all US territories. An exception would be dogs being imported for veterinary treatment that is unavailable in the originating country or dogs being imported for research purposes.

*The term “dogs imported for resale” includes dogs imported for sale in wholesale channels, at retail, and for adoption after arrival in the United States, as well as dogs imported for other purposes involving transfer of ownership or control of the dog to another person for more than de minimis consideration after the dog's arrival in the United States.

This rule does not apply when there is no transfer of ownership or control of a dog to another person for more than de minimis consideration after the dog's importation into the United States. Therefore, dogs imported by a person who will use the dog as a personal pet, for sport, for shows or competitions, or for breeding or semen collection are not subject to the 6-month age restriction or any other requirements of this rule.

Banned Breeds

The United States does not ban breeds, however, some cities do. Visitors to these cities will be responsible for their pet's behavior.

Exporting Pets from the United States

All resident pets leaving the United States must send relevant paperwork required for the destination country to the State USDA office for endorsement prior to leaving the country. Additionally, transiting pets whose permits or health certficiates have expired will be required to obtain these documents in the United States and have them endorsed prior to leaving the country.

Pets returning to the United States are subject to the same passport requirements as those entering for the first time. This means that pet owners returning to the United States should consider getting a new health certificate completed by a vet in the country you are visiting if you stay for more than 30 days as many States require a current health certificate.

Other Animals

There are no rabies requirements for other species of rodents, rabbits, ornamental fish, intervebrates, amphibians and reptiles imported to the United States. These pets should travel with health certificates issued prior to travel.

Birds entering the United States from any country will require permits from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The following regulations assume an import of 5 or less birds.

Birds entering the United States from Canada by air or seaport will require an import permit, health certificate and veterinary inspection.

In addition to these requirements, non-US-resident pet birds entering the US from all countries except Canada must enter the United States must travel directly to quarantine at the New York Animal Import Center in Newburgh, NY or the Miami Animal Import Center in Miami, FL. A 30-day quarantine is required for these pet birds and includes mandatory testing.

Birds entering the United States from Mexico or other HPAI-infected country** must undergo 21 days pretravel quarantine in Mexido and enter by air at international airports located in Miami or New York and be subject to 30 days of quarantine. An import permit, health certificate and veterinary inspection will apply.

Birds entering the United States from HPAI-free countries are subject to all requirements above except the 21 day pre-travel quarantine.

Pet birds weighing more than 100 grams, must be identified by one of three approved means (microchip, leg band or tattoo) in order to qualify for home quarantine, in lieu of Federal quarantine, upon returning to the United States from HPAI-FREE countries. The identification must be documented on the accompanying U.S. origin health certificate.

**HPAI-infected countries are: Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cambodia, Canada, China, Croatia, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Macau, Malaysia, Mali, Moldova, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.

Live finfish of most species may be imported into the United States without import requirements. There are 8 species of fish that will require an import permit and health certificate completed by a licensed veterinarian in the originating country: common carp, including koi carp (Cyprinus carpio), goldfish (Carassius auratus), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis), Crucian carp (Carassius carassius), tench (Tinca tinca), and sheatfish (Silurus glanis).

If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should verify that it is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).  You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations.

• Search CITES database .
• Read More about CITES

Need More Assistance?

To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following the rules of the country you are visiting.

Further detail on import permits, costs, tests and procedures are available at minimal cost at PetTravelStore.com under Pet Passports. We also stock all the equipment and accessories your pet will need for traveling domestically or internationally. Same day shipping Monday through Friday until 2:00 PM EST.

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Pet Travel from Georgia: 10 Things You Need to Know

Want to take your furry friend with you on your travels internationally from Georgia (the Republic) ? You came to the right place. This post is dedicated to everything you need to know about pet travel from Georgia, including what documents you’ll need, the preparation process, tests, etc. 

Generally speaking, traveling with pets internationally depends on where you live and where you’d be traveling to. It could be manageable or quite overwhelming. There are many things to consider, and I will do my best to go through them. 

But before I get into how to travel with your pet from Georgia, I want to talk about how to bring your pet to Georgia, as I get a lot of comments regarding this issue.

This post includes affiliate links to products, which earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps to fund my blog and bring more authentic articles to you 🙂   Learn more

Pet travel to Georgia

Georgia has very relaxed entry requirements for pets. You should be fine if your pet has all the essential vaccinations and an international passport. 

According to the Revenue Service website, one person could bring no more than five pets that are not intended for selling or other economic activities. 

The only requirements for bringing your pet to Georgia are as follows: 

• The pet must be healthy.
• Have a microchip of 15-digit ISO.
• Have all preventive vaccinations, including rabies, between 30 days to 12 months before entering the country. 
• A veterinary certificate accredited by USDA or CFIA if traveling from USA or Canada. In other cases, ask the Government Authority of your country responsible for exporting and importing pets to give you a particular document. 

NOTE : Titer test is not required to bring your pet to Georgia, nor is Import Permit for those pets accompanied by a human.

Georgia doesn’t list any banned breeds of pets, either.

And if you want pet insurance in Georgia, Irao is the only company that offers the package for 30 GEL a month.

Get a 10% off with WayAway Plus to find cheaper flights and earn cashback . Use code: RFD10

Unfortunately, Georgia is not a very pet-friendly country , meaning that traveling with your pet using public transport can be pretty challenging. There were cases when I got denied entering the metro if Louie didn’t have a dog muzzle. The same can go with buses and marshrutkas. Some taxi drivers also refuse to take dogs, but thankfully Bolt taxi has a designated pet taxi service.  

A similar goes with some cafes, restaurants, and shops where entering with your dog is not allowed. However, there are some pet-friendly venues too.

Taking your dog or cat via train is possible . It also depends on the size of your pet; they need to be in the kernel or bag and fit in the luggage compartment. Big-size dogs need to have muzzles as well. 

And if you have any more questions regarding traveling with your dog or cat internationally, let me know in the comments, and I’ll be happy to answer. 

More Georgia Content

10 things to know about pet travel from georgia, georgia is a high-risk rabies country.

Many countries view others as high-risk rabies countries and customize their pet import terms accordingly. Georgia is considered a high-risk rabies country by European Union , so traveling with pets internationally to EU countries from Georgia could be difficult. 

Check the destination country’s policy

As every country has its own policy to import pets, you need to check their conditions on traveling with your dog or cat to that country. Depending on where you are coming from, these destination countries may put your pet into a several-day quarantine . For some, it’s a mandatory procedure, while others put pets in quarantine if specific requirements are not met. 

Some countries even have a blacklist of pets that they don’t allow to import. So make sure you do your research accordingly. 

Check airline policies 

Just like countries, airlines have their policies when traveling with pets internationally. Some airlines do take your pets, while others don’t. And those who do, have their own requirements and restrictions. For instance, depending on the size of your pet, they can come into the cabin or go to a cargo compartment. Also, some companies don’t take pregnant pets either. 

If your pet with a Pet Carrier weighs up to 8kgs, you can take it as your “onboard” luggage. Otherwise, it goes to the cargo compartment. 

You also need an airline-approved Pet Carrier , which I’ll explain below. 

Get a passport for your pet

If you already own a pet, you should have a passport with all the vaccinations your furry friend has. If not, then this would be your next step. 

There are many veterinary clinics in Tbilisi, but I take Louie to Aibo Clinic on S. Tsintsadze street. If you already have a veterinarian go to their clinic and tell them about your travel plans to ensure that your pet passport meets the requirements. 

Clinics to consider: 

• Veterinary Clinic AB-Vet Buneba
• Vet clinic at Agriculture University

And if your dog or cat needs any grooming, I highly recommend BarberPet . 

Microchip your pet

It’s standard to have your pet microchipped in Georgia. Unfortunately, those chips don’t track your pet in case they wander out of your house. But they have information about the owner if someone finds them and calls the appropriate authorities to scan the chip and call you. 

When planning pet travel from Georgia internationally, consider that most countries require your pet to be microchipped. Therefore, go to the vet clinic and do it. 

Vaccinate your pet

Depending on the destination country’s specifications, your pet should be vaccinated in a particular timeframe. Most countries require a rabies test at least 30 days before entering. Additionally, pets might need to get certain vaccines after you enter that country too. So checking country policies is vital for pet travel from Georgia. 

Your pet might need a rabies titer test

Many countries do require an additional step – a rabies titer test, especially if you are coming from a high-risk rabies country like Georgia. Unfortunately, this test is an important step but only do it if you plan on relocating to a specific country . Don’t put your pet into this procedure if you plan to have a 2-3 week vacation somewhere. 

The test needs to be carried out at the exact advised time by an authorized laboratory. Several rabies-free countries will not allow your pet to enter even if vaccinated and fulfill all veterinary demands if these test results are unsatisfactory. 

The rabies titer test is usually performed 30 days after the rabies vaccine for the antibodies to form. Your pet needs to be microchipped before. The vet draws blood from your pet and sends it to an authorized laboratory to examine the levels of antibodies in the sample. There are around 40 laboratories in the world certified to run rabies titer tests. 

In case of traveling to EU countries, Georgia’s Mrcheveli Laboratory , also known as Limbach Lab , helps you get the rabies titer test for 500 GEL. They send the blood sample within 24-48 hours to Germany , that’s why the price is so high. A digital certificate of the results comes in one month, while the original copy takes another month to arrive in Georgia.

Check the complete list of non-EU and EU member countries with such labs.

Most countries want a level of 0.5 IU/ml or higher to prove that your pet is well immunized against rabies. If your pet fails the test, you can give it a booster vaccination and retry the test in 14-28 days. 

If your pet needs the test, I would advise looking at the destination country’s regulations to see the minimum period between the rabies vaccine and the blood sampling. Additionally, your pet might need occasional rabies titer tests depending on the country. For example, the EU requires a one-time test if the usual rabies vaccination is kept current, while for Australia, the results are suitable for a specific time. 

Usually, the laboratory sends results within four weeks of receiving the blood sample. 

ADVICE : always travel with comprehensive travel insurance that also covers COVID. I personally use SafetyWing . 

Buy a Pet Carrier

To use any transportation, you’ll need to have a pet carrier . Depending on the size of your pet and means of transportation, this can be a kernel or a bag . If you are flying out, they should be airline-approved ones that have their own specifications. 

If your pet is small and can go with you in the cabin, the pet and the carrier should fit under the seat. In the case of the cargo compartment, the kernel should have a specific durable lock, bowls for water and food, stickers saying “live animal,” designated holes to mount it to the hooks, and should be well-ventilated and of durable material. 

There are plenty of airline-approved kernels or bags on Amazon. There are some in Georgian vet clinics or shops, but sometimes the price could be lower when shipped from Amazon with a logistics company. When I purchased the kernel in May 2019, the exchange rate of Lari-USD was not this bad, so I didn’t pay extra import VAT. 

When buying a pet carrier , you need to measure your dog/cat and buy one where the pet can comfortably stand, sit and lay down. There are plenty of YouTube videos to watch. 

Train your pet for the carrier

Even if you are traveling a short distance, you must train your pet to get used to the carrier. Therefore, get it at least several weeks ahead so you have some time to do the training. Your dog or cat needs to get used to being there alone. We watched several videos on YouTube, but we are still training Louie as he gets very excited and anxious while in the carrier. 

Get an export document for pet travel from Georgia

Once everything I have mentioned above is ready, you’ll need to physically go to the National Food Agency office within the territory of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia. And don’t forget to bring your pet with you along with its passport. Here you’ll need to get the Veterinary Certificate from the Ministry. 

This is an official document stating the breed of your pet, the destination country, means of transportation when traveling, and the vaccines the pet had. It’s verified with a stamp. 

The document is valid for 72 hours and can be issued on the same day. It costs 100 GEL . It is also valid for three months to bring your dog or cat back to Georgia without additional documentation. 

What your pet needs during traveling

We don’t give Louie anything while traveling. We don’t even feed him in the morning because he gets sick. We give him a few valerian drops mixed with water to calm his excitement and anxiety.

I can’t give you the exact dosage; I just tried and tested what worked for Louie and what didn’t. Amazon sells some relaxant dog treats, but I haven’t tried those yet.  This and this have the highest reviews on the website.

If your dog or cat doesn’t get sick while traveling, you can pack their favorite snacks and food to keep the hunger at bay. And don’t forget the water!

Our Experience

Traveling with a dog from georgia to turkey through a land border.

Crossing the Georgia-Turkey land border in Sarp with a dog was very easy . We had all those documents mentioned above, but the Turkish side only checked Louie’s passport and didn’t look at the Veterinary Certificate. 

Louie was not allowed on board, so he traveled in a luggage compartment of the bus for around 10-12 hours.

On our way back from Turkey to Georgia, we came back within three months, and not a single soul checked Louie’s documents – neither Turkey nor Georgia. Turkish border security just asked if he was vaccinated when we left the country. Georgian border police said they don’t require checking pet’s documents. 

I am not sure how the air travel works yet, but once we travel with Louie with the airline, I’ll make sure to update the post. 

Spread the word!

49 Comments

Thank you! I’ve been so confused about how to bring the dog we adopted here in Tbilisi to the US. DOG organization has been a bit of help, but I couldn’t figure out where to take her tomorrow to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Hey, I am glad I could be of help 🙂

In my situation of adopting 2 feral street kittens. I didn’t need to take the kittens for the exit health check only their passports. Traveled from Tbilisi to Batumi so went to the Nation Food Agency in Batumi which didn’t require that I bring the kittens with me to the office. Also since I was going to continue travel in Eastern Europe via sea & land I had 7 days to leave Georgia for Europe. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to stay with my kittens throughout the process & it took longer since both were sick. I didn’t find the process bad as I had excellent advise from the Vet Clinic.

Hey! I am planning to take my dog with me to visit georgia and then fly back with him to the US, i read that you wanted to take the dog to the US could you let me know about any difficulties you faced, and what all steps you took?

Hi Saagar, I never took my dog to USA. But I know a few people did. What are you mostly interested in?

Thank you for the information! My husband and I are in Gerogia on the ‘Remotely from Georgia’ program and we got a puppy…whoops! I’m confused about how to get the titer test done – is there a special vet clinic here in Tbilisi that will do it and send it to Turkey/ Russia? Should we just take the dog to one of those countries to have it done there? I thought dogs couldn’t enter Turkey without a titer test already done, but from what you wrote it sounds easy.

Yaay, welcome to the pup family :)) Yes, Turkey is easy to enter, but we did the land border crossing as explained in the post. However, flying shouldn’t be a problem either. As for the titer test, I would go to the vet clinics and ask them if they can help you. I am sure one of them can! Also if you do, would love to include your experience in the post if you don’t mind 🙂

What documents I need to travel Kazakhstan with a cat? Got only vaccination passport

Hi, you will need to check Kazakhstan’s entrance documents for pet travel.

Hi, I have 2 cats coming from South Africa to Georgia, the are chipped and fully vaccinated. Because of COVID, they have to travel through Ukraine then on to Tbilisi by air, do i need to get an import permit for them here in Tbilisi? We, unfortunately cannot travel with our cats due to restrictions. Please help?

Hi, according to my research: “An import permit is not required when entering the Republic of Georgia with a personal pet. A permit is required for pet entering Georgia when unaccompanied.”

However, you might want to double-check with National Food Agency https://nfa.gov.ge/En/MainOffice/

Hi! My husband and I plan to travel for one week from Azerbaijan to Georgia with our dog and finding your article was a blessing! Thank you! 😀 I just have two related questions: do we have to go to a vet clinic and let our dog be visited before going to the National Food Agency? (I ask because this is the procedure in Azerbaijan instead). And also, do I have to book an appointment to go to the Agency or I can just go during the opening hours? If so, can you share the contact details please? Thank you so much in advance! If you have any more tips on what to do with a dog in Georgia with a dog, they are also more than welcome! 🙂

Thanks, Enri for your comment! I am happy you found this very useful 🙂 Hmm, I was not asked by the National Food Agency for any other document for Louise other than his passport. You can just go there and do it one day before the departure. Bring cash and note that they might be having a lunch break either from 1-2 pm or 12-1 pm. If you google the National Food Agency, you’ll get their call center phone number. I don’t have any other contacts, unfortunately.

Great article. A lot of interesting info. The thing is I am doing things in reverse e.g. I am coming from EU and want to bring my two dogs into Georgia. The have all the things you mention, microchip, vaccinated, pet passport etc.

The plan is to come via sea, arriving in Batumi. Do you know what else would be required in this case? Titer test? or something else?

Any help or guidance would be amazing.

Thanks for the comment. I can’t find any specific information on entering by sea. However, all things I have mentioned are the requirements to bring pets to Georgia. There is no information about the titer test. The passport should also have information on the treatment of ectoparasites and endoparasites

I’m traveling from U.S., with my cat to Georgia for a month, 34 days. The health certificate is good for 30days. So by the time I’m coming back it’s going to be expired, what should I do? Do I need to get another health certificate in Georgia? Or could I use the one I have since it’s only few days difference? Cause it takes 2days roughly for flying anyways. Does Georgia require any other vaccinations? Besides rabbis for a cat?

Hi Anar, thanks for your comment. I suggest asking your vet in the US what to do when the certificate expires as the US might have strict rules bringing back your cat from a high rabies country. You might need to get another health certificate in Georgia after it expires at the ministry as I describe in the post. No, Georgia doesn’t require any specific tests to bring a pet

Maybe you could help me with a pet question, I failed to find any specific info 🙂 I plan to travel from Tbilisi to Batumi by train with my dog, he is 10kg, 40 cm height, shiba-inu breed. Does he have to travel in kennel or carrier? Do we need to buy any special place for him?

Thank you in advance!

Hi Maria, sorry for my late response. Unfortunately, I don’t have a proper answer either. I think it would be best to call the Georgian Railway and ask them as I am finding different answers even in Georgian sources.

Superb article! My only confusion if my pet needs a titler test to enter Turkey by land?

We are going travelling for two weeks and then back to Georgia (I believe same as you). Have you done it?

Hi Oksana, yes I have done it. From Georgia to Turkey and back. No titer test was needed to enter Turkey last year. We came back within 3 months, so we didn’t need to take another export document from Turkey. The one we had from Georgia was enough

What an informative article! Have been in Tbilisi for the past few days and will be leaving in three days. Have been feeding this beautiful puppy at the Metekhi church, I want to bring him home to Canada. Looks like it would quite complicated for me to do that, unless I was prepared to stay here for another month so that he can get the rabies shots and tests. Total bummer!

Thanks for the great article! I also fell in love with a street dog in Georgia and decided to adopt him and to bring him to Europe.

Do you have experience with getting the health certificate approved at the LEPL National Food Agency with only the digital version of the titer result? Or is the printed version necessary? I was wondering if I will have to wait about one month (digital) or two to three months (printed) for the results to arrive before going there.

Thanks again! Nik

Hi Nik, I am honestly not sure; I never needed a titer test for my dog yet. I’d advice you to contact the lab I mention in the article to get more updated information.

I cannot say for a dog however I adopted 2 kittens in Tbilisi. I was able for the blood for both to be drawn after 2 complex vaccines 21 days apart, then microchipped so many days before the blood draw which the vet clinic did & I took the vials to an approved lab & paid the fee(500 gel per kitten) Received the email copy within 3 weeks and the hard copy followed. National Food Safety Office in Batumi only required the email copy however wanted it printed out(I had my hard copies). Regarding the health certificate also done in Batumi, only requirement was to bring in the Pet Passport, proof of the rabies lab results, which this information was transferred to the health certificate document. You need to find a Vet for this service(no appointment & didn’t need to bring my kittens. The cost was 40 gel. I then took pet passports, printed or hard copy of the rabies antibodies test results along with my passport to the National Food Safety Office. I did need to go to Georgia Bank & pay 100 gel cash there & bring the receipt back to the National Food Safety Office. Process took about 2 hours to gather & obtain the documents. The typing of the exit document took maybe 20 minutes which was then stamped. Since I was leaving Georgia by sea to Eastern Europe to continue travel I had 7 days to leave Georgia with my kittens which I did. Funny, leaving Georgia, entering Bulgaria, on to Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro to currently am in Croatia, not one border agent has asked to see any documents of the documents that I got. I don’t offer and have yet to be asked.

Hi Susanne,

Thanks so much for the detailed explanation of your experience with the kittens. Do you mind if I reach out over the email to ask you a few more questions so that I can include them in the post?

Hello Susanne. Thank you for your post :). Most people seem to say you must take your pet for examination at the National Food Safety Office in Tbilisi. So it was very helpful to read that you could do this is Batumi. I wonder if there is an NFSO office in Kutaisi or any other city? It would be much easier for our pets not to have to travel to Tbilisi or Batumi just for this certificate. Also, did you need to physically take your cat to the Batumi NFSO in Batumi? Thank you and safe and happy traveling :).

Hi Ron, please see my answer below your comment 🙂

Hello Thank you for the very usable article. I’ve read that the rabies vaccine is not required for rabbits to enter Georgia. Do you have any information about it?

Hi Alexey, thanks for your comment, and I am glad you found it helpful. Unfortunately, I am not sure about the rabbits

Hi Baia, thank you for your article! I’m travelling from EU to Georgia soon, we have EU passport^ all vaccinations and titer test, but I’m not sure if I need to visit a vet doctor 3 days before the flight for some kind of health certificate. I believe it’s too much because we have all that I’ve mentioned but I wouldn’t like to not be approved in the airport because of this small thing. Thank you!

Hi Anna, I am glad you found this helpful. According to my experience, Georgia is very relaxed at bringing your dog/cat. For peace of mind, I would still get the certificate, just in case. No one really looked at it on the Georgian side when we crossed the Turkey-Georgia land border, but I am not sure how strict they are at the airport as we haven’t flown with Louie anywhere just yet.

I got it. Thank you very much!

Very helpful article! I am moving from Kazakhstan to Georgia next month. I will be using a pet shipper to fly my two cats in as cargo and I was told that they are required to enter in Tbilisi. I cannot find any information to confirm this information. Do you know if this is correct and which agency would I need to contact to find out? Thank you.

Hi Stephanie, thanks for your comment. I am not quite sure I understand your question, though. You were told that your cats in a carrier in cargo should only enter Tbilisi and no other city such as Batumi, for instance?

I did have a question on transporting a kitten from Georgia to the EU (Germany). Is there a restriction from the National Food Safety Office on the length of time that one must wait to bring the kitten into an EU member state after the rabies vaccine and titer test? I cannot find any details on this, but one of my friends mentioned something. I’m assuming once I have the test results, I can go to the National Food Safety Office in Tbilisi and get the export document, then go to the vet for the health certificate (or is it vice versa?) I will be flying from Tbilisi to Germany for reference. Any information or updates on this would be amazing-some of the answers on this thread and the article already have been excellent!!

Once you do the titer test and get the vet’s health certificate, you need to go to the National Food Safety Office because the document they give you is valid for 72 hours. Basically, that’s the very last thing you do to be able to travel with your pet.

Thank you so much for the reply! My friend just took my cat to the vet for the blood test, and the vet said that it is Georgian law to wait three months before they will issue the health certificate. Do you know of a recent change? I was hoping to bring my cat to Germany sooner than august and this news is unfortunate!

Hi Ashley, did the vet say why? Doesn’t the cat have all the vaccines necessery? Honestly, one time I went to the National Food Agency and they didn’t ask for the health certificate. so if you can double check with them somehow, I’d advice to do that.

Hello, I came to Tbilisi on a long trip with my dog Is there a separate period of stay for dogs in Georgia?

Hi Joy, not that I know or heard of.

Hi! Thanks for your blog, it is incredible helpful. I would like to ask which bus company you use to travel from Georgia to Turkey? And what documents do you need to bring for NFA certificate?

Thank you, I’mean about to go Turkey by land border but I’m quite nervous

Hi Michael, thanks for your comment!

We used Metro Georgia to travel to Turkey. As for the NFA, we just brought Louie’s passport, and it was fine.

Thanks for your beautiful blog!

I need to travel urgently to Turkey by land, so I don’t have time to take titer test neither wait for the observation period. I ask to authorities in Turkey and they told me that my dog can come without it but may be subject to quarantine.

But what about Georgia? Is it a requirement to present this document to get the NFA certificate?

And so, as you’ve make this route before I would like to ask if there is a big control in the border? I’ll go by bus also. Have I to take out of the bus my dog in immigration?

Thanks for helping all of us and I thank you if you can reply my doubts.

We didn’t do Titer test for Louie to go by land to Turkey and he didn’t go under the quarantine either. It is not required by NFA either for Turkey. There was no big control either, Georgian side didn’t look at the documents while Turkey kind of did, but they didn’t make any issues with it. And yes, you need to take your dog out of the bus to go through the immigration process. Wish you safe travels

Hi and thank you for the informative article :). The National Food Agency (NFA) website english version is not very useful. However, it does seem to say they have offices across Georgia in many regions. https://nfa.gov.ge/En/RegionalOffices

One person who made a comment (Susanne) said she could obtain the NFA pet certificate in Batumi, and apparently Susanne did not need to take her pet to their office to obtain the certificate. It would be great if anybody could confirm which NFA regional offices will issue the certificate and whether or not physically taking the pet is actually required. Sometimes requirements such as taking the pet physically to the NFA office can become the common practice through other people doing it before, but is it actually the legal requirement? Thanks :).

Hi Ron, thanks for the comment. The official document says you need to take the pet to the office, it’s a requirement. I called the central office in Tbilisi right now to doublecheck and the lady also mentioned bringing a pet is a must. Also you can take them at a Kutaisi office and they’ll also issue the certificate there. Here is the address: Nikea’s 3rd dead end No 5. Approximate location on the map: https://goo.gl/maps/TMH6D9NTuizivYf77 Hope this helps and please let me know if you have more questions.

Hello again Baia, hope all is well :). Can you tell me the phone number for the agency that issues the pet export certificate? Thanks :).

Hi Gozo, according to their website this is the hot line: 1501

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Pet Passport Georgia

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• Description

This package contains information and detailed step by step instructions on transporting your dog or cat to the Republic of Georgia from any country. If your pet is not traveling to Georgia, then you can find pet passport information and forms for another country by clicking here . 

Carefully following these instructions will make entering Georgia with your pet easier and quicker. The instructions will also help to avoid having your pet denied entry, put into quarantine or returned to your country of origin.

The Pet Passport Store has been a trusted and reliable source of information and products for traveling pet owners for over 14 years. The information we provide in our passports is always the most current and accurate available. We have done the research for you.

What You Get:

• Detailed instructions on importing your pet to the Republic of Georgia from any country
• Required Vaccinations
• Puppy and Kitten Import
• Inoculation Record Instructions
• Carrier and Crate Requirements
• Tips on Flying a Pet Internationally
• FREE unlimited email support for both for you and your veterinarian, should either of you have any questions.

Also included at no additional cost are forms to transport your pet to the Republic of Georgia:

• Veterinary Health Certificate for the Republic of Georgia
• Declaration of Non-Commercial Import
• Parasite Record
• Airline Health Certificate
• Layover Considerations & Requirements for Airline Pet Travel
• Inoculation Record - keep your pet's vaccinations in one place for easy customs clearance
• Pet Passport Folder - (Free with First Class Mail Delivery Options above) Click Here to View

The collection of documents mentioned above will comprise the pet passport for your dog or cat to enter Georgia.

Further Requirements for importing your dog or cat to the Republic of Georgia:

ISO Pet Microchip  - Not required, but recommended for pet identification Rabies Certificate - Required - available from your veterinarian

Delivery Options (select above):

Email - faster delivery  -  multiple copies can be printed if you traveling with more than one pet .   First Class Mail - we print instructions and forms and mail to you. There is a cost for printing and postage with this option.

Additional Information:

It is our objective to prepare the traveling pet owner for all entry requirements that may arise as a result of traveling by air, sea or ground. Enforcement may not be consistent in every country or on every airline, and having proper documentation will better ensure that no problems will arise during your travels.

If you purchase our instructions and forms prior to 30 days before you travel, please check back with us to make sure there have been no changes in the rules or forms required to take your pet to the Republic of Georgia. All updated instructions and forms are provided by email free of charge.

We cannot offer refunds on pet passport packages unless there is a problem with the information or forms provided.

You may also need :

Have a crate for your pet already? Click here to update your pet crate to IATA standards .

Have a carrier for your pet already? Click here for pet pads and accessories .

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Guide on bringing a dog into the USA [Pet Passport Requirements 2023]

Bringing a dog into the USA is a straightforward process, as long as you do your research and prepare in advance. They surprisingly do not have many strict rules when it comes to bringing dogs into the US, depending on the country you are traveling from, you may only require a health certificate. However, if you are traveling from a country the US considers to be high-risk for rabies, you will also need a rabies vaccination. Alternatively, if you are bringing a dog into the USA for commercial reasons, you will also need additional vaccinations, and an import permit. We will go into the requirements in detail below. If flying into the US, you will need to ensure that you fly with an airline that will allow your dog to be shipped, and organise this in advance.

In order to bring a dog into the USA, you may require the following, depending on where you are traveling from and the purpose of travel:

• Health certificate
• Rabies vaccination
• Additional vaccinations
• Internal and external parasite treatments
• Import permit

In this article, we will guide you through the process of bringing a dog to the USA, and breakdown the strict and complicated entry requirements.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is an US Pet Passport?

• What is the process of bringing dogs to USA?
• How much will it cost to bring dogs to the USA ?
• Which airlines will allow flying dogs to the USA?
• Guidelines for dog carriers
• Bringing a dog into the USA for Commercial Reasons
• Tips for taking dogs into the USA
• Can I bring other animal species into the USA?
• Is quarantine required when bringing a dog into the USA?
• Can I take my puppy to the USA?
• Is there an entry fee when taking dogs to the USA?
• Can I bring my dog to the USA with an EU Pet Passport?
• Bottom line

US Pet Passport is a term used to represent the documentation required to travel with your pet. Essentially, a pet passport demonstrates that your pet is fit and healthy to travel and won’t be a threat to other dogs’ wellbeing. Generally, in order to get a US pet passport to bring your dog to the USA, your dog will need a health certificate at minimum. Your dog may also require a rabies vaccination, parasite treatments and an import permit, depending on where you are traveling from. 

The documents required to travel with dogs depends on which country you are travelling from, and which country you are travelling to. Each country has different rules and requirements to export and import dogs. Requirements and restrictions also vary between pet species. We will discuss the requirements to bring dogs into the USA in detail below.

What is the process of bringing a dog into the USA?

The process of bringing dogs into the USA is as follows:

• Research export requirements of your home country – each country has different regulations for exporting dogs. Ask your veterinarian or your Ministry of Agriculture.
• Research import requirements to the USA from your home country – the requirements to bring a dog into the USA depends on where you are traveling from. It’s also important to check that your dog is allowed to be imported into the USA, as some states have strict rules, prohibiting some dog breeds visiting.
• Visit the vet – you will need a health certificate at minimum. However, many dogs will also require vaccinations and parasite treatments.
• Apply for import permit (if necessary) – to bring a dog into the USA for commercial reasons, you will need an import permit. You need to apply for this before traveling to the USA as it will be required to pass customs. See import permit section below .
• Organise quarantine (if necessary) – as soon as you have your import permit granted, you should get in contact with the The Mickleham Center in Victoria to make arrangements for your dog. See quarantine section below .

What are the requirements when bringing a dog into the USA?

The requirements to bring a dog into the USA depend on where you are traveling from and the purpose of your travel (commercial or non-commercial) . They can include any of the following:

HEALTH CERTIFICATE

All dogs entering the USA must have a health certificate. This applies no matter which country you are traveling from.

A licensed veterinarian must complete a health check on your dog to ensure he or she is healthy enough to travel. They will also ensure that your dog has a valid rabies vaccination, we will discuss this in detail int he next section.

The health certificate must be in English or be accompanied by a version translated in English. It should identify your dog, the dates of it’s rabies vaccination, the manufacturer and the expiration date of the vaccine.

RABIES VACCINATION

When bringing a dog into the USA from a country the USA deems high-risk of rabies, your dog will need a rabies vaccination.

Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Côte D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Croatia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Russia, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania (including Zanzibar), Thailand, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe. If you are traveling from a country not listed above, your dog will not require a rabies vaccination.

However, you will need to provide written or oral confirmation that your dog has lived in the origin country since birth, or at least for the past 6 months.

You can get your dog vaccinated at your local vet, just be sure to get a certificate for your dog’s vaccination. There are 1 year vaccines and 3 year vaccines – USA accepts both. However, if the expiration date is not shown on the certificate, then the date of the vaccine must be less than 12 months prior to entry to the USA.

Waiting time after rabies vaccination

If your dog has never been vaccinated against rabies before, you must wait at least 28 days after the vaccination before entering the USA.

Alternatively, you will not have to wait 28 days if your dog is over the age of 15 months, you can provide proof that your dog has been vaccinated since the age of 3 months and that it has had all of its booster vaccines.

ADDITIONAL VACCINATIONS

If you are bringing a dog into the USA for commercial reasons, it will need further vaccinations.

Importing dogs for commercial reasons include adoption or resale. These dogs must also be vaccinated for distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza virus (DHLPP).

PARASITE INSPECTION / TREATMENT

IMPORT PERMIT 

If you are bringing a dog into the USA for commercial reasons, you will require an import permit. If you are not traveling into the USA for commercial reasons, you will not require an import permit. 

An import permit is a document issued by APHIS’ Animal Care program which authorises the importation of live dogs for resale purposes in the USA.

How to apply for a USA Import Permit?

You will need to submit an application form that includes the following information:

• name and address of individuals, organisations or businesses intending to import and export the dog
• the number of dogs being imported
• the date of importation
• the purpose of importation

You can apply an import permit online through APHIS eFile . Alternatively you can request an application by contacting Animal Care at:

USDA APHIS Animal Care Center for Animal Welfare 2312 East Bannister Road Mailstop 1180 Kansas City, MO 64131-3011

Phone : (816) 737-4223 Fax : (816) 737-4206 Email : [email protected]

How much will it cost to bring dogs into the USA?

The price for a USA Pet Passport to bring dogs into the USA can cost anywhere between £50-£250. However, there are additional costs, such as airline fees and travel gear. 

This cost ranges drastically depending on the veterinary clinics you visit, which country you are visiting and the species of your pet.

The cost for bringing a dog into the USA is broken down into the following fees:

• Rabies vaccination – the average cost of the one-year rabies vaccination is around $15 to $20 . A three-year shot will usually costs around $35 to $50. However, some charities offer this service for free .
• Health certificate – the average cost of a veterinary consultation can be between $25 and $150 . However, some charities offer this service for free .
• Pet microchipping (not compulsory but recommended) – the cost to have a pet microchipped ranges from $25 to $60 . However, some charities offer this service for free .
• Tapeworm treatment (dogs only) – the price ranges between $3 to $18 .
• Airline fees – the cost varies widely depending on size and weight of your dog, and airline.
• Travel gear – the cost varies depending on which dog carrier you purchase, they can range from $15 up to $100+  for the more fancy range.

Of course, this is an approximate number as the real cost can vary massively depending on where you are traveling from, size and weight of your dog, and your mode of transport.

For a detailed breakdown of the costs, check  How Much Does a US Pet Passport Cost? .

What airlines allow flying a dog to the USA?

Most airlines allow flying a dog into the USA. However, depending on the airline you fly with, pet policies differ.

When flying with a dog, it’s important to check airline pet policies before booking any travel. Different airline’s have different rules for flying with dogs, including which dog breeds are allowed, the size and weight of dogs that are permitted, and the number of dogs they allow. Furthermore, fees also vary between airlines.

Most airlines will allow dogs to fly in the cargo section of their planes, in a climate controlled, comfortable pet zone. Although some pet owners think this will be stressful for their dogs, it can actually be a lot calmer than flying in the cabin.

Some airlines will allow dogs to fly in the cabin with their owners, but generally only small dogs that weigh under 8kg are permitted. This is because dogs must fly inside an airline-approved carrier that fits under the seat in front of their owners.

For a list of airlines that allow dogs to fly in the cabin with their owners, check  13 Airlines That Allow Flying With Dogs In-Cabin [Prices & Policies] .

Information on flying a dog into the USA

Pets can enter the United States at international airports in many cities including but not limited to New York, Chicago, Washington DC, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, Seattle and Chicago.

All domestic dogs will be examined at the port of entry in the USA, and must be found to be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans. If the animal is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required. This will be at the owner’s expense.

All pets entering the United States unaccompanied as air cargo must be claimed by someone with US legal resident status or a citizen of the US. The person claiming the dog must have a valid US address.

We strongly recommend that dog owners importing more than 5 dogs owned personally by them via air cargo contact the CDC to avoid having the import be classified as commercial.

Guidelines for Dog Carriers

If you are flying into the USA with a dog, it is important that you use a dog carrier that is approved by your airline. Different airlines have different pet carrier policies, which often vary between aircrafts and routes. Check that your pet carrier is approved for your chosen airline, aircraft and route. 

The rules and regulations have been set out by International Air Transport Association (IATA) ensure that dogs are comfortable when travelling. Thus, inside their travel carriers, dogs must be able to stand up, turn around and lie down in a natural position in their kennel (without touching any side or the top of the container).

The rules for pet carriers also vary depending on whether your dog will be flying in the cabin or cargo area of the plane.

If you are travelling in the cabin with your dog, then you will need to ensure that it fits under the seat in front of you. This is why only small dogs weighing under 7-8kg are permitted in the cabin.

Furthermore, airlines often require that your dog must be obedient to your commands and must behave appropriately in public. Thus, he mustn’t bark or growl at other passengers or staff. If your dog does not behave in an appropriate manner, some airlines may transfer him to the cargo hold at an additional cost, or refuse to transport him all together. Some airlines require a consent form to ensure your pet is flight-ready.

MOST AIRLINES ONLY ACCEPT CAGES THAT COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING IATA REGULATIONS:

• The cage must not have wheels
• It must have a solid roof
• The screws and nuts that hold the lower and upper parts of the cage must be properly installed and tightened – because yes, the cage must consist of two sections, made of solid and rigid plastic
• The cage must also include bowls firmly attached to its lower wall containing food and water
• It must be clean, but also and above all waterproof and covered with materials capable of absorbing liquid materials
• It must be well ventilated, with openings in all 4 sides of the cage
• The cage must also be properly closed, using a lock that cannot be opened from the inside
• Finally, it must bear a label distinguishing the top from the bottom and another indicating that the cage contains a live animal

Bringing a dog into the US for Commercial Reasons

The USDA APHIS Animal Care has separate requirements when bringing a dog into the US for the purpose of resale or adoption.

Puppies and dogs entering the United States intended for resale or adoption must:

• Be 6 months of age;
• Be fully vaccinated (rabies and distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza virus (DHLPP); and
• Accompanied with an import permit

This includes dogs coming from Puerto Rico and all US territories. An exception would be dogs being imported for veterinary treatment that is unavailable in the originating country or dogs being imported for research purposes.

Dogs imported by a person who will use the dog as a personal pet, for sport, for shows or competitions, or for breeding or semen collection are not subject to the 6-month age restriction or any other requirements of this rule.

Tips for bringing a dog into the USA

• Get your pet used to its carrier before traveling.
• Purchase flights with fewer connections or layovers.
• Choose departure and arrival times to avoid extreme heat or cold.
• Consult with your veterinarian.
• If driving, take plenty of pit stops.
• If flying, walk your pet before leaving home and again before checking in.
• If your pet is allowed in the cabin, check in as late as possible to reduce stress.
• If your pet will be transported as cargo, check in early so it can go to the quiet and dimly lit hold of the plane.

Can I bring other pet species into the USA?

You will simply need a health certificate to travel with species of rodents, rabbits, ornamental fish, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles imported to the United States. These pets do not require rabies vaccinations.

The regulations for bringing birds into the USA are as follows:

• Birds entering the US from any country will require permits from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The following regulations assume an import of 5 or less birds.
• Birds entering the US from Canada by air or seaport will require an import permit, and veterinary inspection. Your airline may require a health certificate.
• Birds entering the US from Canada by land will require a veterinary inspection.
• Birds entering the US from Mexico or other HPAI-infected country ** must undergo 21 days pr pretravel quarantine in Mexido and enter by air at international airports located in Miami or New York and be subject to 30 days of quarantine. An import permit, health certificate and veterinary inspection will apply.
• Birds entering the US from HPAI-free countries are subject to all requirements above except the 21 day pre-travel quarantine.
• Pet birds weighing more than 100g, must be identified by one of three approved means (microchip, leg band or tattoo) in order to qualify for home quarantine, in lieu of Federal quarantine, upon returning to the United States from HPAI-FREE countries. The identification must be documented on the accompanying U.S. origin health certificate.

* *HPAI-infected countries are: Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cambodia, China, Djibouti, Egypt, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, South Sudan, Sudan, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.

Live fish of most species may be imported into the United States without import requirements.

There are 8 species of fish that will require an import permit and health certificate completed by a licensed veterinarian in the originating country:

• Common carp, including koi carp (Cyprinus carpio)
• Goldfish (Carassius auratus)
• Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)
• Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)
• Bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis)
• Crucian carp (Carassius carassius)
• Tench (Tinca tinca)
• Sheatfish (Silurus glanis).

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]

Is quarantine required when bringing a dog into the US?

In most cases, quarantine is not required. As long as your dog appears healthy upon arrival in the US, they will not need to be quarantined.

Can I bring my puppy into the US?

Yes, as long as your puppy has a health certificate and seems healthy upon inspection. Puppies entering the US for commercial use, for resale or adoption, require additional vaccines. Please refer to the section above.

Is there an entry fee when taking dogs to the US?

Luckily, there is no fee to pay when entering the US. However, if you are flying into the USA, you will need to pay airline fees to ship dogs.

Can I bring my dog into the USA with an EU Pet Passport?

Your dog can travel to the USA with an EU Pet Passport, however you will also need a health certificate.

Bottom Line

Bringing a dog into the USA is reasonably straight forward. You will simply need a health certificate at minimum, no matter where you and your dog are traveling from. If you are traveling from a country the USA considers high-risk of rabies, your dog will also need a rabies vaccination. If you are bringing a dog into the USA for commercial reasons, you will also need an import permit, and additional vaccinations.

If traveling by air, check that your chosen airline will allow your dog to travel with you either in the cabin, or in the cargo area of the plane. Different airlines have different policies and prices.

Hope you have found this helpful. Happy travels!

• Cost of Bringing a Dog to Australia
• How to get an EU Pet Passport [GUIDE]
• How to get a US Pet Passport in [ULTIMATE GUIDE]
• How to Get a Canadian Pet Passport [GUIDE]

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Travelling to Georgia with Pets: Visa Rules and Regulations

If you are planning to travel to Georgia with your pets, it is essential to be aware of the visa rules and regulations to ensure a hassle-free journey. AGT Services, a leading provider of visa assistance, is here to guide you through the process. In this blog post, we will provide you with all the information you need to know before traveling to Georgia with your beloved pets.

Visa Requirements for Pets

When traveling with pets, it is crucial to understand the visa requirements set by the Georgian government. Here are the key points you should keep in mind:

• All pets entering Georgia must have a valid health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian.
• The health certificate should confirm that your pet is in good health and has received all the necessary vaccinations.
• Pets must also be microchipped for identification purposes.
• It is recommended to carry your pets medical records and vaccination history during your travels.

Traveling with Pets: Tips and Guidelines

Here are some tips and guidelines to ensure a smooth journey when traveling with your pets:

• Check the airlines pet travel policies and make reservations in advance.
• Ensure that your pets carrier or crate meets the airlines requirements.
• Feed your pet a light meal before the journey to avoid any discomfort.
• Keep your pet hydrated during the flight by providing water in a spill-proof container.
• Take regular breaks during long journeys to allow your pet to stretch and relieve themselves.

By following these visa rules and guidelines, you can ensure a stress-free travel experience to Georgia with your pets. AGT Services is here to assist you with the visa application process and provide any necessary guidance. Contact us today to learn more about our visa services.

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Travel Advisory July 26, 2023

Georgia - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Last Update: Reissued with updates to health information.

Exercise normal precautions in Georgia. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. 

Do Not Travel To:

• The Russian-occupied Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia due to risk of  crime, civil unrest, and landmines .

Read the  country information page for additional information on travel to Georgia.

If you decide to travel to Georgia:

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report for Georgia.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

South Ossetia and Abkhazia – Do Not Travel

Russian troops and border guards occupy both South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The precise locations of administrative boundary lines are difficult to identify. Entering the occupied territories will likely result in your arrest, imprisonment, and/or a fine. Violent attacks and criminal incidents occur in the region. Landmines pose a danger to travelers near the boundary lines of both territories.

The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens traveling in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, as U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling there.

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Must be valid at the time of entry.  

One page is required for an entry stamp.

Not required for stays of 365 days or less.

Hepatitis A and pre-exposure rabies are recommended. 

Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy tbilisi.

29 Georgian-American Friendship Avenue Didi Dighomi Tbilisi, Georgia, 0131 Telephone: +(995)(32) 227-7724 (M-F 8:30-5:30) Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(995)(32) 227-7000 Website: https://ge.usembassy.gov/ Email:   [email protected]

Destination Description

See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Georgia  for information on U.S.-Georgia relations

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

You need a valid passport to enter Georgia . U.S. citizens may enter, reside, work or study in Georgia without a visa for up to 365 days. Border authorities are free to conduct questioning and deny entry to anyone at their discretion, regardless of the traveler's citizenship. U.S. Embassy Tbilisi is unable to intercede on behalf of U.S. citizens or petition the government of Georgia to allow entry into Georgia. Visit  the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website  for the most current visa information. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control ( CDC) website  for immunization information.

• U.S. citizens who overstay the permitted 365-day period are subject to a fine.
• If transiting Georgia , law enforcement and border officials may inquire about the purpose of your travel, funds, insurance, reservations, return tickets, and invitations before granting entry.
• Georgian law requires travelers to enter and depart using travel documents of the same nationality.
• Georgian law requires that Georgian citizens, including dual nationals, enter and depart Georgia on Georgian passports. The government of Georgia may consider naturalized U.S. citizens a Georgian citizen.
• Under Georgian law, U.S.-Georgian dual-national males between the ages of 18 and 27 may be subject to military conscription. For more information, please review the  Georgian Ministry of Defense  webpage.
• Foreign documents intended for official use   in Georgia must be authenticated with an apostille. This includes documents used to apply for a Georgian residency permit or to document the birth of a child born in Georgia.
• The U.S. Embassy cannot, under any circumstances, authenticate a document issued in the United States , regardless of whether the document has been notarized in the United States. See the Department’s webpages on  Judicial Assistance  and  Notarial and/or Authentication Service  for more information on apostilles.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Georgia.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction , and  customs information  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Terrorism: Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations continue to plot possible attacks throughout Europe. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to more effectively target crowds. Frequently, their aim is unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists
• Places of worship
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights)

For more information, see our Terrorism  page.

Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Adjacent Areas:  The United States and most other countries consider these regions part of Georgia. However, de facto local authorities claim independence, and Russian troops and border guards occupy both regions. Attacks, criminal incidents, and kidnappings have occurred in and around the areas. While none of the activity has been anti-American in nature, there is a high risk of travelers finding themselves in a wrong place/wrong time situation. Follow the guidance in our Travel Advisory for Georgia and do not travel to these regions. If you choose to travel there, you should be aware:

• U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to the Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia or South Ossetia. We are unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in either territory.  U.S. government employees also are restricted from traveling within five kilometers of the administrative boundary line (ABL) dividing these regions from Tbilisi-administered territory.
• The administrative boundary line (ABL) of South Ossetia is not clearly marked in many places and frequently moving in other places. There is an elevated risk of wandering into South Ossetia unknowingly while hiking, particularly on the ABL’s eastern side , which could result in detention by security forces.
• Unexploded ordnance left over from previous conflicts pose a danger near the administrative boundary line of South Ossetia.
• You may only legally enter these regions from the Georgian side, per Georgian law.
• You may be arrested, detained, imprisoned, and/or fined by Russian, Georgian or de facto authorities if you enter without proper documentation. 
• Medical services in the occupied territories are extremely limited. Hospitals do not accept credit cards or medical insurance, have little to no infectious disease control, and lack medicine.
• There are no commercial airports in either region making air ambulance evacuations impossible during medical emergencies.
• It is illegal to undertake any type of economic activity in Abkhazia or South Ossetia that requires permits, licenses, or registration, per Georgian law. Laws also ban mineral exploration, money transfers, and international transit via Abkhazia or South Ossetia.

Pankisi Gorge: The Department of State cautions U.S. citizens against travel to the Pankisi Gorge region (north of the villages of Matane and Chorale, to the border with Russia, including the city of Duisk) because of the current security environment and the potential for civil unrest. There are restrictions on U.S. Embassy personnel traveling to this region or within five kilometers of it. While the Georgian government has had success in combating terrorism within its borders, U.S. citizens should remain vigilant. ISIS recruiting has occurred in Pankisi in the past, and some known terrorists have confirmed ties to the Pankisi Gorge region.  

Crime : Criminals may target foreigners. Take precautions against becoming a victim of crime as you would in any large city.

• Firearms are readily available in Georgia, assailants may be armed, and disputes with firearms could occur.
• Alcohol consumption is prevalent and has been attributed to escalating or exacerbating otherwise minor disputes.
• Carrying pocket knives or other cutting devices in Georgia is illegal under most circumstances .  You may be detained or cited if found in violation.
• There has been an increase in reports of “ confidence scams” where a traveler who orders drinks or food in a bar or restaurant is presented with a bill for exorbitantly high sums and then physically threatened if they do not pay. These are sometimes combined with “ romance scams ” wherein a traveler is taken to these establishments by someone they met online through a dating or other social meetup site.
• U.S. and other visitors have reported occurrences of sexual assault in Georgia.
• Avoid walking alone at night . 
• Exercise caution  when riding alone in private taxis or “marshrutka” mini buses.
• Maintain a low profile, do not carry large amounts of cash, and do not draw unnecessary attention to yourself.
• Use caution at  ATMs , and always check for skimming devices or other tampering.
• Avoid using  public WIFI networks or internet terminals  as they did not protect your data or personal information.
• Foreign visitors report having items stolen from locked hotel rooms. Review additional information on crime threats in the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Georgia Country Security Report .

Demonstrations  occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, and during international events. 

• Demonstrations can be unpredicatable, avoid areas around protests and demonstrations.
• Security alerts about demonstrations can be found on the Embassy’s website here .

International Financial Scams:  See the  Department of State  and the  FBI   pages for information.

Victims of Crime : U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance.  Report crimes to the local police by dialing 112, and contact the  U.S. Embassy  in Tbilisi at (+ 995) (32) 227-7724 (after hours + 995 32 227-7000). 

The  Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs  (MOIA) operates a 24-hour emergency response center similar to 911 (dial 112) and transfers emergency calls to the fire and rescue service, police, or the nearest medical emergency center. Most dispatchers speak only Georgian and Russian but will transfer calls to English-speaking operators.

Remember that the local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.  The U.S. Embassy has no law enforcement or legal authority overseas, nor can it investigate crimes in Georgia. U.S. embassy staff are prohibited by federal regulation from acting as agents, attorneys, or in a fiduciary capacity on behalf of U.S. citizens involved in legal disputes overseas.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion
• Provide a list of  local attorneys
• Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• Replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence : U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance. Local resources for victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, or human trafficking include a hotline dial 116-006), temporary shelters, medical and rehabilitation services, interpretation and legal assistance. These may be available through a government agency known as  Atipfund Georgia .

Tourism:  The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities are not routine. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified by host government orby recognized authorities in the field. . In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities.  First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment.  U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.  See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage .

Personal Safety in Remote Areas: If you intend to camp , climb , or hike in the mountains or any remote area in Georgia:

• Research local conditions in advance.
• Go with a companion or a group. Avoid traveling alone.
• Provide route and contact information to someone not traveling with you.
• Maintain communication with your family and friends.
• If in trouble, call the emergency number 112. Most dispatchers speak Georgian and Russian but will transfer calls to English-speaking operators.

In the case of a crisis or natural disaster , U.S. citizens in Georgia may check the  Embassy’s website for U.S. Embassy emergency messages, or receive them by email by signing up for the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  (STEP).

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties : You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be fined, arrested, deported, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or praticing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.

If arrested, you may be held in pre-trial detention for up to nine months. Review the State Department’s page on  Arrests or Detention of U.S Citizens Abroad.

Furthermore, some lawsare also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification : If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

Notification to U.S. Embassy Tbilisi of the arrest of U.S. citizens is typically significantly delayed in Georgia. In addition, the Georgian police have the authority under the Administration Violation Code to detain individuals for up to 24 hours without court intervention and 48 hours with court approval (this is referred to as “administrative detention”). There are no due process rights assigned during an administrative hold, meaning the person has no right to counsel.

Special Circumstances : Georgia has strict regulations concerning:

• Possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in accordance with Georgian laws and controlled substance classifications. Penalties are severe and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. 
• The import or export of alcohol, tobacco, jewelry, religious materials, art or artifacts, antiquities, and business equipment.
• Export of items of historical value , such as artwork, antiques, jewelry, or paintings. You must obtain a license. Contact the  Embassy of Georgia  or see our  customs regulations  webpage.
• Firearms  cannot be imported into Georgia.
• Georgian law prohibits the  sale of real property  (land and houses) in the occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Prior owners may have the right to reclaim the property in the future.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods:  Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. If you attempt to bring counterfeit or pirated goods into the United States you may incur a fine or have the items seized. See the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for more information.

Faith-Based Travelers : See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports

LGBTQI+ Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on consensual same-sex sexual conduct or the organization of LGBTQI+ events in Georgia. However, traditional cultural attitudes result in LGBTQI+ individuals often facing discrimination and harassment. Some LGBTQI+ persons in Georgia have been targets of attacks. In addition, violent anti-LGBTQI+ protests have occurred in Tbilisi, including in response to public LGBTQI+ related events.

See our  LGBTQI+ travel information  page and section 6 of the  Department of State’s Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities : Georgian law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental disabilities, but the government does not enforce the law effectively. In July 2020, Georgia adopted legislation on the rights of persons with disabilities that establishes principles to guide the government’s implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The government has until this year (2023) to develop an implementation action plan and 15 years to complete accessibility of government buildings, infrastructure, and services. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities is not as prevalent as in the United States. Expect accessibility to be limited or nonexistent in public transportation, lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips.

Women Travelers : See our travel tips for  Women Travelers

For emergency services in Georgia, dial 112 (the equivalent of 911 in the United States)

Ambulance services  are not widely available outside Tbilisi and training and availability of emergency responders may fall below U.S. standards. Ambulances are not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment. Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

Limited Medical Services in Rural Areas:  In the event of injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more  information on insurance providers for overseas coverage .

We do not pay for medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most health care providers in Georgia only accept cash payments. See  our webpage  for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. Visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  website for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription . Check with the  Ministry of Health  to ensure the medication is legal in Georgia . Georgia strictly regulates types and quantities of prescription medications that may be brought into the country. Travelers carrying prohibited prescription drugs have been detained and face heavy fines or arrest.

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The U.S. Embassy maintains a  list of English-speaking doctors and hospitals in Georgia. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Air Quality:  Visit  AirNow  for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.   Air pollution is a significant problem in Tbilisi. Consider the impact seasonal smog and heavy particulate pollution may have on you and consult your doctor before traveling, if necessary. Georgia has installed and maintains air quality monitors around the country. Real-time data is available at: https://air.gov.ge/en/ .

Health Facilities in General:

• Adequate healthcare facilities are available in Tbilisi, although below U.S. standards. Outside major cities, medical facilities in Georgia are limited.
• Hospitals and doctors may require payment “up front” prior to service or admission. Credit card payment is not always available. 
• Medical staff may speak little or no English.

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy:

• If you are considering traveling to Georgia to have a child through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or surrogacy, please see our ART and Surrogacy Abroad page .
• The Georgian government has announced it intends to pass legislation that would ban surrogacy for foreigners starting January 1, 2024. Breaking the law will be a criminal offense. Currently, the law is in draft form and several issues related to surrogacy services, including if and how pre-existing contracts with ART facilities and surrogates in Georgia would be honored, will not be known until the law is passed. You might not be able to receive a refund if you enter into a contract for surrogacy services. Babies born through illegal arrangements might be prevented from leaving Georgia. Before you commit to a surrogacy arrangement, seek independent legal advice. A list of local attorneys in Georgia who have expressed interest in assisting U.S. citizens can be found on Embassy Tbilisi’s website.

Adventure Travel : Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Adventure Travel . 

• Travelers with  existing health problems  may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities.
• There is a significant risk of rabies in Georgia. The CDC recommends some travelers complete the rabies vaccine series prior to arriving in country.
• Some spices made in Georgia contain high levels of lead. Consider purchasing spices only from recognized U.S. or international manufacturers.
• Georgia has a high rate of Hepatitis C . Exercise caution if you plan to get a tattoo, piercing, dental work , or other procedure with potential for blood exposure. Ensure the provider uses proper sterilization procedures.
• Ensure food is cooked thoroughly to reduce the risk of food-borne illness.
• Georgia has eight venomous snake  species that are active between March and October. Few medical facilities have antivenin serum.  Treat all snakes as potentially venomous.

Tuberculosis is prevalent in Georgia. Visit the CDC website for more information about Resources for Travelers regarding specific issues in Georgia.

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety : Road conditions in Georgia differ significantly from those in the United States. Many roads are in poor condition with stretches of road missing pavement and having large potholes.  Driving at night  can be dangerous due to varying road and traffic conditions, poor lighting, and the presence of open range livestock.

• Avoid traveling at night.  U.S. Embassy official travel at night outside of urban areas is prohibited, except for emergencies.
• Exercise caution when driving in Georgia at all times . Reckless driving is common, and drivers frequently ignore traffic laws.
• Be careful when crossing streets, as pedestrians are not given right-of-way .
• Winter travel can also be hazardous , especially in mountainous areas.

Traffic Laws:  Vehicles drive on the right. Speed limits range from 80 to 110 km/hr. (50 to 69 m/hr.) on highways and 30 to 70 km/hr. (19 to 44 m/hr.) on urban thoroughfares. Motorists are not permitted to make right turns at red traffic lights.

• Wear seat belts when driving.  Children under four  must travel in child-safety seats.  Children under twelve  may not ride in the front seat.
• There is zero tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol . Anything above a blood alcohol content of 0.0% is illegal.
• Vehicle safety inspections are being phased in since January 2018, but there are still many vehicles on the road in poor condition or lacking basic features such as working lights.
• The Georgian Patrol Police maintain traffic safety in Georgia, but enforcement of traffic regulations is inconsistent.

Public Transportation : Public transportation, while inexpensive, may be unreliable and uncomfortable.  Minibuses (“marshrutkas”) are often overcrowded, poorly maintained, lack seat belts, and are frequently involved in accidents.

See our  Road Safety page  and the website of the  Georgian National Tourism Agency  for more information.

Aviation Safety Oversight : As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Georgia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the Government of Georgia’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to Georgia should also check for  U.S. maritime advisories and alerts . Information may also be posted to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the  NGA broadcast warnings website .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Georgia .  For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA )  report.”

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