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    Are Conures Legal in the UAE? (2026 Guide)

    Yes, conures are legal to own as pets in the UAE. The condition is paperwork: valid CITES Appendix II documents and a closed leg-band.

    Conures are the most popular mid-sized parrots in the UAE. Unlike a cockatiel or a budgerigar, the conures covered here are CITES-listed, so the paperwork is the purchase.

    This page covers only what our own published guides state. For the federal framework in full, see UAE exotic bird ownership laws; for care, the conure care guide; for cost, the cost of owning a conure.

    1. The short legal answer

    Conures are legal to own as pets in the UAE. Parrots are not on the UAE dangerous-animals list, which targets big cats, primates and large reptiles. What the law asks of a conure is documentation: the bird must come with CITES Appendix II paperwork that shows it came from a registered source.

    For most pet owners no individual permit is needed. The seller handles the CITES paperwork at the point of sale and transfers the certificate of ownership to the buyer.

    2. Conures by CITES Appendix

    ConureCITES status
    Sun Conure (Aratinga solstitialis)Appendix II
    Jenday Conure (Aratinga jandaya)Appendix II
    Green Cheek Conure (Pyrrhura molinae)Appendix II
    Pineapple, Cinnamon, Yellow-Sided and Turquoise Green CheeksMutations of the Green Cheek
    Golden ConureAppendix I

    Appendix II covers species that are threatened but whose trade is allowed with permits. Appendix I is the most restricted list: commercial trade in wild-caught birds is generally banned, and captive-bred birds from CITES-registered facilities can be traded only with strict permits. The Golden Conure row comes from the Appendix I examples on our UAE laws page; verify any specific bird against the CITES species database before you pay.

    3. Paperwork to get with the bird

    From our conure care guide, the mandatory paperwork is:

    • ·CITES Appendix II permit, required for all conure imports. The buyer's copy lists the bird's individual ID.
    • ·Closed leg-band, fitted at 14 to 21 days, listing breeder code, country, year and serial.
    • ·Recent avian vet certificate.
    • ·Hand-raised confirmation: fully weaned at 8 to 12 weeks for Green Cheeks and 10 to 14 weeks for Sun and Jenday conures.
    • ·Breeder name and contact.

    Our UAE laws guide describes the ownership document as a CITES Release Certificate (issued by MOCCAE for birds legally imported after 2018) or a Certificate of Ownership (for UAE-bred birds or birds imported before 2018). Keep every document: if you sell, re-home, travel with, or take the bird to a vet you may be asked to produce them.

    5. Moving a conure in or out of the UAE

    Importing a conure you already own needs a MOCCAE import permit issued before the bird arrives, an attested veterinary health certificate from the country of origin, and CITES export documentation, and the bird is examined at the port of entry. Plan at least 90 days ahead.

    Leaving the UAE needs an export permit. We do not publish a fee or a processing time for either direction, so check with MOCCAE through the digital services portal.

    7. Frequently asked questions

    Are conures legal to own in the UAE?
    Yes, with valid CITES Appendix II paperwork. The seller must provide the import permit and the closed leg-band. Conures sourced through Dubizzle or Instagram without paperwork are at risk of confiscation under MOCCAE regulations and are often carrying undiagnosed disease. Buy from a registered seller.
    Which CITES Appendix are conures on?
    Our conure care guide lists the Sun, Jenday and Green Cheek conures as CITES Appendix II. The Pineapple, Cinnamon, Yellow-Sided and Turquoise Green Cheeks are captive-bred colour mutations of the Green Cheek (Pyrrhura molinae). Our UAE laws guide lists the Golden Conure as Appendix I.
    What documents should I get when I buy a conure?
    The care guide lists five: the CITES Appendix II permit (the buyer's copy lists the bird's individual ID), a closed leg-band fitted at 14 to 21 days that lists breeder code, country, year and serial, a recent avian vet certificate, confirmation that the bird is hand-raised and fully weaned, and the breeder's name and contact. Our UAE laws guide also names a CITES Release Certificate or Certificate of Ownership for Appendix II species.
    Do I need a permit of my own to keep a conure at home?
    For most pet ownership, no. The seller handles the CITES paperwork at the point of sale and transfers the certificate to you. If you import a bird yourself you must apply for a MOCCAE import permit before the bird arrives, and if you breed CITES-listed birds you need to be a registered breeder.
    What happens if I am caught with an undocumented conure?
    Undocumented birds in the UAE are subject to confiscation under MOCCAE regulations. Under Federal Law No. (5) of 2025, in force since 1 January 2026, trading CITES species without permits can bring fines of up to AED 2 million and possible imprisonment.
    Can I bring my pet conure with me when I move to the UAE?
    Yes, but you need a MOCCAE import permit issued before the bird arrives, an attested veterinary health certificate from your country of origin, and CITES export documentation. The bird will be examined at the port of entry. Our laws guide advises planning at least 90 days ahead.
    Is a Green Cheek conure treated differently from a Sun conure?
    Not on paperwork. Both are listed as Appendix II in our care guide. The practical difference is noise: Green Cheeks peak at 70 to 85 dB and suit apartments, while Sun and Jenday conures reach 95 to 110 dB and need a villa.

    8. Sources

    Want help checking a conure's paperwork?

    Send us a WhatsApp with the bird and the seller. We will tell you what documents should exist and what to ask for before you pay.

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