Updated March 2022
Whether you are driving or flying to Mexico, traveling with dogs to Mexico is easy.
In 2020 the Mexican government – the OISA (part of SAGARPA-SENASICA) – dropped the requirement to provide a Health Certificate from a veterinarian. HOWEVER only
…IF you are coming from Canada or the United States.
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What Changed: Requirements and Processes For Bringing Pets to Mexico
Mexico no longer requires your pet to have a health certificate from a veterinarian.
When flying into Mexico with your pet, a staff member of OISA (part of SAGARPA-SENASICA) will perform a brief physical inspection of your pet.
At the airport the OISA office will verify:
- That there are no signs of infectious and contagious diseases
- That it is free of ectoparasites = fleas, ticks, mites, and lice
- That there are no fresh or healing wounds
- Check for up-to-date rabies vaccine certificate
The OISA offices are at the international airports, not at the border crossings between the U.S. and Mexico.
What has not changed:
- Only a small amount of dog food is allowed to be brought into the country. (another words, don’t bring several months worth of food)
- Any type of disposable bedding the dog was transported in, must be thrown away. For example, newspapers or sawdust or rags (pertains to dogs flying in a crate)
Notice from the USDA about the requirements for traveling to Mexico with pets.
Driving to Mexico from the U.S. and Canada
If you are driving to Mexico with your dog, you do not need to spend the money to go to a veterinarian and get a health certificate.
You do not need to have a veterinarian provide proof that the pet has had parasite prevention.
You do not need to provide a rabies certificate for your dog or cat. (You will need a rabies certificate to enter back into the U.S.)
Note: Please refer to the section regarding entering back into the U.S. with a pet and the new process.
As a side note, the Mexico border agents are not OISA officers and are not part of the SAGARPA-SENASICA.
OISA offices are not at the U.S. border crossings. There is no one who will ask to inspect your dog at the border.
The OISA offices are at the airports.
NEW Airline Process For FLYING To Mexico With A Pet
Flying from the U.S. and Canada (only) into Mexico with a pet, some airlines have stopped requiring a health certificate to bring your pet on board the airplane with you. Note: if your is dog is flying in cargo, it still needs a health certificate.
The airlines – Delta and United – do not clearly state on their website whether or not a Health Certificate is required.
Alaska Airlines does clearly state that a health certificate is not required. Kudos to Alaska Air for documenting this on their website.
I called Delta and United directly (was on hold for over an hour) and when I finally was able to speak to someone, they could not find any documentation stating a health certificate was required. Therefore, they concluded a health certificate is not required to fly on their airline.
Aeroméxico does require a health certificate and rabies certificate in order to fly on their airline. I would also like to point out that the airline has recently updated their ESA policy and now require a medical certificate from a psychiatrist (not psychologists).
More information about Aeroméxico can be found here:
A rabies certificate is required when flying into the United States. So, make sure you bring this with you before flying anywhere with your pet.
Click on my link above “New Process For Entering Back Into The U.S. With A Pet” for more information.
If you are interested in understanding the difference between Service Animals and Emotion Support Animals please read my article here.
What Happens Upon Landing At An Airport in Mexico?
Once you land at the airport, the airport officials will direct you to the OISA office inside the airport.
They will conduct a brief physical inspection and ask for a rabies vaccine certificate for your pet.
This only applies to pets originating from the U.S. and Canada. If you are flying in from any other country to Mexico, a health certificate is required.
Also, as of 2021 U.S. airlines no longer allow Emotional Support Animals.
Rabies Certificate
The rabies vaccination certificate must include all of the following information:
- Name and address of the owner
- Breed, sex, date of birth, color, markings, and other identifying information for the dog
- Vaccine product information – name, lot number
- Date of rabies vaccination
- The date the vaccination will expire
- Name, license number, address, and signature of the veterinarian who administered the vaccination
Check the rabies certificate to make sure it does not expire while in Mexico!
If it does, this is a reason your dog may be turned away at the airport.
It’s always a good idea to ask the veterinarian for several original copies of the rabies certificates.
Returning Home With Your Pet
Bringing your dog back to the U.S. from Mexico
The CDC has strict guidelines on dogs entering the U.S. from countries that have a high risk of dog rabies.
113 countries are on this list – Mexico is NOT on this list. View list
No matter what country you are coming from, the US requires an up-to-date rabies certificate be presented upon entering with a pet.
More from the CDC on bringing your pet to the U.S.
NEW Visitors Permits Requirements (for humans) – FMM
Getting a FMM is not the same as it used to be. The Mexico Immigration Office no longer allows tourists to visit Mexico for up to 180-days automatically.
A FMM is a visitors permit, known as Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM. It is what you need to enter Mexico legally.
When driving or flying across the border into Mexico you will be required to complete the FMM card.
When flying, the airlines will hand the FMM card to you.
When driving across the border, generally the desk for the FMM is in the same building where the desk is for the TIP (temporary import permit, for cars) is located.
The immigration official will ask how long you intend to stay in Mexico.
Be sure to let them know your plans so that they provide you with sufficient days for your visit.
The immigration official may ask for proof of how long you are staying; such as hotel, Airbnb, and VRBO reservations. If you are flying out, show the airline ticket.
Be sure to surrender your FMM and TIP (for cars) when leaving Mexico!
Their new systems will keep track of your entry and departure. The officials will look you up on their system before determining how many days they allow you to stay in Mexico.
You can learn more about the FMM here.
Travel Resources
The GrinGO App for traveling in Mexico.
WAZE is the best app for directions and up-to-date information on accidents and where the police are. All information is supplied by other drivers. It is also a great resource to contact other drivers around you to find out why you find yourself stuck in traffic.
Another great resource is the private Facebook group called On The Road To Mexico. Even if you are not a fan of FB, this private group is well worth joining.
There are 56K+ members who can help to answer your questions real-time with up-to-date travel information all throughout Mexico.
Google Translate, as it allows you to use your phone’s camera to translate menus, signs, ads etc if you are not familiar with Spanish.
WhatsApp for free texting and internet phone calls all over the world.
Uber and DiDi for ride -share services. Very inexpensive in Mexico. Note: not all states in Mexico allow ride-share services.
As always… Safe Traveles!
You may also like …
Texas – Mexico using the Columbia Bridge Border Crossing with a dog
Mexico City – 5 Pet-Friendly places to visit in CDMX
Thinking of moving to Mexico? Check out the new 2021 Immigration Guide from Mexperience.
Pet Friendly Excursion: Visit one of Mexico’s Famous Ghost Towns – Real de Catorce
Analysis on just how pet friendly some Airbnbs really are! Review on 10 Pet Friendly Airbnbs in Mexico
We are wanting to retire short term in Mexico traveling from the US. We have three (3) Rhodesian Ridgebacks, family members, that need to come with us: Bree (85#), Archie (100#) & Benni (120#). Your thoughts, suggestions are most welcome. It seems that most questions in the chat address smaller in-cabin dogs.
Hi- very helpful info. Do you know the hours of operation for the OISA office or how I can find out their hours? I want to make sure that they’re open when I arrive so my dog can get cleared and checked.
Hola Rhonda!
The OISA office has the same hours as the airport. If your airplane is able to land, the airport is open. Not to worry… they will never let you leave the airport without a stop at the OISA office. =8-)
Thanks for letting me know you find this site helpful. Enjoy your time in Mexico!
Thank you, your article helped me a lot! We’ll be traveling from Canada (Air Transat) to Mexico in October with Cachou, our 8 month old Welsh Terrier. 🙂
Oh… how cute Cachou is!!!! I am happy this article was helpful. =8-) Enjoy your time in Mexico! Thank you for posting.
Hi – great article, it helped us understand much better what will be going on. We are flying with aeromexico with our dog for the 1st time. He will fly as checked luggage – going from Chicago to Cancun, through Mexico City. In Mexico City we only have 2 hrs 15min layover and we think we will need to do the customs on our checked luggage as well as SENESICA, then recheck-in luggage and dog for next flight. Both flights are in Terminal 2. My question is – does anybody know how long the SENESICA exam takes, and where is… Read more »
Hola MCM, When we fly from LAX to anywhere in Mexico, we always have to change airplanes in Mexico City (CDMX). Our luggage is automatically checked through to the destination spot. We never collect our luggage and recheck it. They do scan the luggage at CDMX and if there are any questionable items, they will call the connecting gate agent to let you know they have held up your luggage. (I am speaking from experience!) I do not have experience with sending a dog to Mexico via cargo. However, I am confident a SENESICA agent will be in the cargo… Read more »
Thank you so much for your reply, DL! There is a difference I want to mention between the pet being in “cargo” vs being “checked luggage” – we ran as fast as we could from cargo because there are exorbitant fees at the destination where we would need a “customs broker” to clear the dog. With Aeromexico though we can fly him as “checked luggage” which means we can do the customs ourselves, by going to SENESICA (or having them come to us like you say). The Air Tag idea is great – we will do that so we know… Read more »
Thank you so much for taking the time to clarify your situation. =8-) Congratulations on moving to Mexico!
Thank you, DL! 🙂
Is there any way to get around the rabies vaccination? Are titer tests accepted? Or a veterinarian exception?
Hola Mindy!
There are so many variables to consider. Are you flying or driving from Mexico into the US? Is your dog originally from the US? Let me know…
I am driving and yes, he is originally from the US.
Hola Mindy,
Driving across the border will be easier than flying. =8-) They may or may not ask. However, it is best to be prepared. Bring the immunization records for your dog. As for the titer test, make sure it is less than a year old to show it is a current test. Buen viaje!
Hola, I sent this inquiry to the official Senasica contact in Mexico but am still waiting for a response (and my Spanish is too poor to ask over the phone). I am going to Puerto Vallarta from Canada with my dog, for just one week. I understand that my dog does not need a health certificate to enter Mexico. But, does she need a certificate from a Mexican veterinarian when she leaves Mexico? I know that Canada does not require a certificate for her to re-enter Canada. But, I see on the Senasica website that Mexico requires a certificate for… Read more »
Hola Masaki! Yes, the SENASICA website can be confusing. =8-) The Mexican government does not require a health certificate to enter Mexico. The Mexican government does not require a health certificate to leave Mexico. The Mexican government does require proof of an up-to-date rabies certificate. The 3-year rabies vaccine is accepted. Now with that said… you do need to check on what the airline requires if you are flying into Mexico. Some airlines require a health certificate and a rabies certificate. Also, check with the airline to see if the health certificate you get in Canada before you leave will… Read more »
Thank you, that’s reassuring! Yes, the airlines cause us so much grievance…
Hello, I’m flying from Chicago to Guadalajara next week. I want to bring both my dogs and one weighs 13 lbs and the other weighs 22 lbs. I can Bing the smaller dog in the cabin with me but what do you suggest I do with the other 22 lbs dog?
Hola John! Please contact the airline you are flying on asap and ask them theses questions. Typically, a 13 lb dog would be considered a “pet” and can fly in the cabin with a fee. You must alert the airline ahead of time that you are bringing a “pet” on board. The airlines have limits on the number of “pets” allowed on a flight. As for the 22 lb dog… again ask the airline if they allow dogs in the cargo. Some airlines have stopped allowing dogs in the cargo hold because they need the room for luggage. Best of… Read more »
Hi,
Thank you for sharing all of this information, it’s been very helpful planning my travels. I’m heading to Mexico from Canada with my little dog July 1st. I’m landing in Mexico City by Aeromexico (terminal 2) very early in the morning (5am!) and wondering if the SAGARPA/SENASICA inspection will be available 24 hours? And how long does it take on average? I haven’t yet booked my connecting flight and want give myself enough time.
Warmly, Pamela
Hola Pamela! Yes, the OISA office will be open at 5 am. So not to worry. =8-) The length of time it will take to review and log your dog’s paperwork and then do a quick inspection could be up to an hour. Also take into account how many other airplanes will also arrive around the same time with pets. There could be a line. With that said… I would play it safe and give yourself at least 3 hours between flights. Just a heads-up… there are no “relief areas” for dogs inside the Mexico City airport. They are all… Read more »
Thank-you! Again, very helpful! Sending many blessings.
Hello, I am flying in with my little pomchi to Cancun on June 12, she already had her rabies vaccine shot 3 years ago, and it recently expired (may 5th, 2022). I was told that there is no need for a health certificate but that a valid rabies certificate needs to be presented, and I have an appointment with a vet on June 7, is there a minimum days between the shot and the travel dates that I need to respect?
Hola Marianna!
Regarding the rabies shot… typically they require that the shot be given at least 30-days before flying/arriving in the country. The Mexico government no longer requires a health certificate for dogs arriving from the U.S. or Canada. They do require an up-to-date rabies vaccine.
The airline may require a health certificate. So please check with the airline you are flying with.
Bottom line, the sooner you get the rabies shot for your dog the better! =8-)
thank you 🙏🏼
Hi, I am staying in Mexico, want to move to Canada, Montreal. I have 9months old,4.5 KG weight Shih Tzu.Can I take him with me in flight cabin? What are the requirements?
Please let me know. Thanks
Hola Ruma!
As a general rule for flying with your pet (dog/cat) in the cabin with you… as long as it fits under the seat in front of you (in a soft side carrying case) you can bring it in the cabin.
As always, ask the airline what their pet policy is before purchasing a ticket.
Also check with the Canadian government on their import requirements for pets. Here is a good link to start with:
https://inspection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/pets/eng/1326600389775/1326600500578
Safe Travels! =8-)