Bringing a pet to El Salvador

Last reviewed July 3, 2026

El Salvador enforces strict, origin-dependent import requirements for dogs, cats, and ferrets. Pets from high-risk rabies countries face mandatory quarantine and additional testing, while those from low-risk areas may enter with simpler paperwork. Overall, the process is moderately strict and requires careful advance planning.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to El Salvador.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before arrival
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip documentation showing ISO 11784/11785 compliance

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No additional requirements for free-tier origins.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before arrival
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip documentation showing ISO 11784/11785 compliance

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No additional requirements for low-risk origins.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before arrival
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip documentation showing ISO 11784/11785 compliance

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No additional requirements for high-risk origins.

Frequently asked questions

No, El Salvador does not require a rabies titer (FAVN) test for dogs from any origin country. A valid rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before arrival is sufficient.
No quarantine is required for dogs entering El Salvador, regardless of the origin country. Your dog can proceed directly after arrival once documents are checked.
El Salvador does not set a specific limit for non-commercial pet imports, but bringing more than 2-3 dogs may trigger commercial import rules. Check with the Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería if you plan to bring more than 2 dogs.
No, emotional support and service dogs are not exempt from standard import requirements. They must still meet microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate rules. No special documentation or waivers are recognized.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the dog's arrival in El Salvador. It must be signed by an official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian.
Yes, El Salvador accepts rabies vaccines labeled as valid for 1 or 3 years, as long as the dog was at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination and at least 21 days have passed since the vaccination date before travel.
The government of El Salvador does not impose breed-specific restrictions. However, airlines may have their own policies regarding brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds, so check with your carrier before booking.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to El Salvador.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before arrival
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO chip implantation

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No import permit needed for cats from rabies-free origins. Health certificate must be endorsed by the official veterinary service of the origin country.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/CFIA/APHA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before arrival
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO chip implantation

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No import permit needed for cats from low-risk origins. Health certificate must be endorsed by the official veterinary service of the origin country.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 30+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before arrival
  • FAVN titer test result (OIE-approved lab) showing antibody level ≥0.5 IU/mL
  • Import permit issued by MAG
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO chip implantation

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fees ~$50-150. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

Cats from high-risk rabies countries require a FAVN titer test and an import permit from MAG. No quarantine upon arrival if all documents are in order.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

No. The United States is classified as low-risk. A rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel is sufficient. No FAVN titer test is required.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival in El Salvador. It cannot be older than 10 days when the cat lands.
El Salvador does not set a specific limit for non-commercial pet cats. However, if you bring more than 5 cats, customs may treat the shipment as commercial, requiring additional permits and fees. Stick to 1-2 cats to avoid complications.
Yes. Cats from high-risk countries need an import permit from the Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (MAG). Apply at least 30 days before travel. You will also need a FAVN titer test with results showing rabies antibody levels ≥0.5 IU/mL.
No. Emotional support animals are not exempt from any import requirements. Your cat must meet all standard entry rules: microchip, rabies vaccine, health certificate, and if from a high-risk country, a titer test and import permit.
The cat will not be allowed entry. The 21-day waiting period starts the day after vaccination. If you arrive early, the cat may be quarantined or returned. Plan so the vaccine is at least 21 days old on arrival day.
No. There is no mandatory quarantine for cats entering El Salvador from any origin, provided all documentation is correct. If documents are missing or non-compliant, the cat may be held at the airport until requirements are met or be refused entry.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to El Salvador.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, with vaccine batch and vet details)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, endorsed by origin veterinary authority
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. No import permit fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No rabies titer test or import permit required for ferrets from rabies-free origins.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, with vaccine batch and vet details)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, endorsed by origin veterinary authority
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. No import permit fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No rabies titer test or import permit required for ferrets from low-risk origins.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, with vaccine batch and vet details)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, endorsed by origin veterinary authority
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. No import permit fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No rabies titer test or import permit required for ferrets from high-risk origins. No quarantine imposed.

Frequently asked questions

No. El Salvador does not require a rabies titer test for ferrets from any origin tier. Only a valid rabies vaccination and health certificate are needed.
El Salvador does not publish a specific numeric cap for non-commercial ferret imports. Generally, up to 5 pets per person is considered non-commercial by most Central American authorities. For more than 5, contact the Ministry of Agriculture (MAG) in advance to confirm commercial requirements.
No. El Salvador does not recognize emotional support or service animals as exempt from standard import rules. All ferrets must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate requirements regardless of their role.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days before arrival. It must be endorsed by the official veterinary authority of the origin country (e.g., USDA in the US, DEFRA in the UK).
No. El Salvador does not require an import permit for ferrets entering as personal pets. Only a health certificate and rabies vaccination certificate are needed.
No. El Salvador does not impose quarantine on ferrets from any origin tier, provided all documentation is in order.
No. The rabies vaccination must be given at a minimum age of 12 weeks, and the ferret must be at least 15 weeks old to meet the 21-day waiting period after vaccination. Ferrets younger than 15 weeks cannot enter.

Good to know

All pets must be microchipped and have a valid rabies vaccination administered at least 30 days before travel. Import permits are required for all three species, and the specific rules vary based on the country of origin's rabies risk classification.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to El Salvador, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).

For guidance only. Pet import rules change without notice and a wrong step can mean quarantine or a refused entry for your animal — always confirm current requirements with El Salvador's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.