Navigating pet travel through Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) requires adherence to the regulations set by the Iran Veterinary Organization (IVO) under the Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad, alongside the airport's official Border Veterinary Quarantine Station.
Tap your companion to see what they need
Travelling with a dog
- Core vaccines: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza (DHPP)
- 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 microchip (bring your own scanner if the chip is non-ISO)
- Rabies vaccine at least 30 days before departure and no older than 12 months on arrival, for pets over 3 months (12 weeks)
- Official health certificate in English, issued within 7 days before arrival
- Tick, flea and tapeworm treatments recorded in the pet passport or health booklet
Travelling with a cat
- Core vaccines: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia (FVRCP)
- 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 microchip (bring your own scanner if the chip is non-ISO)
- Rabies vaccine at least 30 days before departure and no older than 12 months on arrival, for pets over 3 months (12 weeks)
- Official health certificate in English, issued within 7 days before arrival
- Tick, flea and tapeworm treatments recorded in the pet passport or health booklet
Birds, reptiles, rodents and exotics
Iran permits dogs and cats as companion animals. The entry of other species (including birds, reptiles, and rodents) as passenger companions is strictly restricted or prohibited without prior special governmental permits.
Exotic pets and wild hybrids (e.g., wolf hybrids, Savannah cats) can be denied entry and confiscated or turned back at the owner's expense.
Official IVO Import Requirements for Dogs and Cats
Tap a requirement to read the details
Iran permits passengers traveling on valid international flights to import dogs and cats as companion animals. The entry of other species (including birds, reptiles, and rodents) as passenger companions is strictly restricted or prohibited without prior special governmental permits.
ISO 11784/11785 Microchip
15-digit ISOThe pet must be implanted with a 15-digit ISO-compliant microchip. If the microchip is non-ISO, you must provide your own compatible scanner during customs inspection at IKA.
Rabies Vaccination
30+ days before departureAnimals over 3 months (12 weeks) of age must be vaccinated against rabies. The vaccination must be administered at least 30 days prior to departure and remain valid at the time of arrival (must not exceed 12 months).
Core & Additional Vaccinations
Dogs and catsDogs: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza (DHPP).
Cats: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia (FVRCP).
Official International Health Certificate
Issued within 7 days of arrivalIssued in English by the official state/governmental veterinary authority of the export country (e.g., USDA in the US, DEFRA in the UK). The certificate must be issued within 7 days prior to arrival at IKA and must explicitly state the owner's name, pet microchip number, and health status.
Internal/External Parasite Treatments
Recorded before flightRecommended parasite treatments (against ticks, fleas, and tapeworms) recorded in the pet passport or health booklet prior to flight departure.
Summary of Entry Status & Inspection Outcomes
Pick a situation to see what happens at the airport
Prerequisites & Documentation
ISO microchip + Rabies shot (30 days old or more) + Core vaccines + Official Govt Health Certificate (issued 7 days or less before arrival)
Airport Clearance & Outcome
Immediate Clearance: Passed through on-site IKA Animal Quarantine Station inspection without isolation quarantine.
Prerequisites & Documentation
Missing official government stamp, certificate issued more than 7 days before arrival, expired rabies shot, or showing signs of illness
Airport Clearance & Outcome
Quarantine / Rejection: Subject to mandatory isolation, additional testing at owner's expense, re-exportation, or border refusal.
Prerequisites & Documentation
Exotic pets, rodents, wild hybrids (e.g., wolf hybrids, Savannah cats), or unauthorized birds without IVO permits
Airport Clearance & Outcome
Entry Denied: Confiscated at the airport or turned back at origin at owner's expense.
Arrival & Customs Clearance Workflow at IKA
Follow your pet's journey step by step
Deplane & Retrieve Pet
Collect your pet from the designated oversized baggage or cargo holding area if traveling in the aircraft hold (AVIH).
Proceed to IKA Animal Quarantine Office
Located near the Customs and Arrival Check-in Hall.
Veterinary Inspection & Document Verification
The duty IVO veterinarian scans the microchip and performs a physical clinical examination. Present the original government-endorsed Health Certificate, Vaccination Booklet/Pet Passport, and Owner Passport.
Customs Clearance & Release
Once the IVO veterinarian approves and stamps the clearance form, proceed through Customs ("Goods to Declare" Red Channel) to exit the terminal.
Airline Pet Policies for Flying into / Out of Tehran (IKA)
Rules differ by airline, aircraft and route
Pet carriage options vary depending on carrier rules and aircraft configurations. Many domestic and regional Iranian airlines restrict pets inside the main passenger cabin and carry them exclusively as Excess Baggage (AVIH in Hold) or Manifest Cargo.
| Airline | Cabin Acceptance | Hold (AVIH) / Cargo | Key Rules & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iran Air | Not Permitted No pets in cabin | Accepted as Checked Baggage (Hold) or Cargo | Charged as excess baggage fee based on total weight (pet + crate). IATA-approved hard crate required. |
| Mahan Air | Not Permitted In cabin | Accepted as Checked Baggage (Hold) | Pet details must be added during ticket booking. Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds face temperature restrictions. |
| FlySepehran | Not Permitted In cabin | Accepted as Checked Baggage on select international routes | Pets (dogs/cats/birds only) must be registered online in advance. Minimum age is 10 weeks. |
| Turkish Airlines | Allowed up to 8 kg Pet + soft-sided carrier | Available in hold (over 8 kg) | Advance reservation required. Rabies certificate and complete health records required at check-in. |
| Qatar Airways | Restricted Service animals / falcons on select routes | Checked baggage / Cargo available | Strict crate dimensions apply. Charges based on weight and container dimensions. |
| Emirates | Not Permitted Except falcons on select routes | Hold / Cargo transport | Must be booked via Emirates SkyCargo or as checked baggage depending on route. |
Airport Facilities & Pet Relief Areas at IKA
What to expect inside and outside the terminal
No Dedicated Indoor Pet Relief Rooms
Tehran Imam Khomeini Airport does not feature dedicated post-security indoor pet relief stations inside the departure gates or sterile transit halls.
Pre-Terminal / Curbside Outdoor Areas
Passengers should allow their pets to relieve themselves outside the terminal building prior to entering the main check-in hall.
Terminal Rules
Pets must remain strictly secured inside an IATA-compliant hard-shell carrier or soft-sided carrier while inside the terminal premises.
Exporting and Leaving Tehran (IKA) with a Pet
Local exit clearance plus your destination's rules
If you are departing Iran through IKA with a pet, you must complete both local exit veterinary clearance and destination country import protocols:
Obtain Local Rabies Vaccination & Health Records
Ensure your pet has an up-to-date Iranian vaccination certificate/booklet issued by a licensed veterinary clinic.
IKA Airport Quarantine Clearance
Prior to check-in, visit the IKA Airport Veterinary Quarantine Station in the Departure Hall. Present:
- Pet Vaccination Booklet / Passport.
- Government-issued Export Veterinary Health Certificate.
- Owner Passport and Flight Ticket/Itinerary.
Destination Country Compliance
Traveling to the EU or UK
Iran is categorized as a high-rabies-risk country by the EU. Pets returning or traveling to EU countries must have a valid Rabies Antibody Titer Test (0.5 IU/mL or higher) drawn at least 30 days post-vaccination and processed by an EU-approved laboratory, followed by a 90-day waiting period before entry.
Traveling to the USA (CDC)
Requires a valid CDC Dog Import Form receipt and an ISO microchip.
Good to know: Iran is on the CDC's list of high-risk countries for dog rabies, so additional requirements may apply. Check the latest CDC guidance before you book.
Travel With Your Pet With Confidence
Flying with a dog or cat through Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport is simplest when your paperwork is complete, your pet is healthy and your airline has confirmed its policy in writing. Start early, check the current IVO and destination rules, and keep every original document in one folder so the inspection at IKA goes smoothly.
