Pawvisa
● Field guide · Specimen / MX · difficulty easy

Moving a pet to
Mexico.

Mexico’s dog entry paperwork changed in August 2026. Dogs need an NWS inspection certificate; cats follow a different process. Check your species before booking.

VERIFIED · MX
★ PAWVISA ★
MAY · 2026
Plan-ahead window
Days, not weeks
From microchip to travel day, minimum.
№ 01Mexico rules
What you have to do
I
Mexico dog entry: New World screwworm inspection certificate

Effective August 3, 2026, US-origin pet dogs need the NWS inspection certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian no more than 5 days before entry into Mexico. APHIS endorsement is not required for this document. Count from arrival, not departure. Source checked September 28, 2026.

Source →
№ 02Field notes
What ruins Mexico trips
  1. 1.
    Check return-to-US requirements separately
    Dog re-entry requirements are separate from Mexico entry paperwork. Review APHIS and CDC requirements before leaving the United States.
    Source →
  2. 2.
    EU layovers need a transit-zone check, not an automatic certificate
    If the route uses an EU or associated airport, confirm whether the pet remains in that airport’s international transit zone. Qualifying non-commercial pets that stay in-zone do not need an EU health certificate; commercial/unaccompanied movement or handling outside the zone may still require EU entry paperwork.
    Source →
Sources cited
№ 03Go deeper
Mexico, broken down
№ 03Related questions
What people ask about Mexico
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№ 04Other destinations
Eleven specimens