Bringing a pet to Maldives

Last reviewed July 3, 2026

Maldives has strict pet import requirements that vary depending on the origin country's rabies risk category. There is no mandatory quarantine for pets arriving from low-risk countries if all documentation and health checks are in order, but pets from higher-risk areas face additional testing and possible isolation. Expect a thorough, paperwork-heavy process with microchip, rabies vaccination, and blood titer test requirements.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to Maldives.

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

Breed restrictions

No national breed bans in Maldives, but individual airlines may restrict brachycephalic breeds (e.g., Bulldogs, Pugs, Persian cats) from flying due to health risks. Check with your carrier.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine manufacturer, batch number, date of vaccination, and validity period)
  • Health certificate (issued within 10 days of arrival, signed by an official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian)
  • Microchip documentation (proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliance, including implantation date and location)

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the Maldives Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture.

No additional requirements for free-origin countries.

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

Breed restrictions

No national breed bans in Maldives, but individual airlines may restrict brachycephalic breeds (e.g., Bulldogs, Pugs, Persian cats) from flying due to health risks. Check with your carrier.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine manufacturer, batch number, date of vaccination, and validity period)
  • Health certificate (issued within 10 days of arrival, signed by an official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian)
  • Microchip documentation (proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliance, including implantation date and location)

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the Maldives Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture.

No additional requirements for low-risk-origin countries.

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

Breed restrictions

No national breed bans in Maldives, but individual airlines may restrict brachycephalic breeds (e.g., Bulldogs, Pugs, Persian cats) from flying due to health risks. Check with your carrier.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine manufacturer, batch number, date of vaccination, and validity period)
  • Health certificate (issued within 10 days of arrival, signed by an official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian)
  • Microchip documentation (proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliance, including implantation date and location)

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the Maldives Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture.

No additional requirements for high-risk-origin countries.

Frequently asked questions

No, a rabies titer test (FAVN) is not required for dogs entering Maldives from any origin country.
No, there is no mandatory quarantine for dogs entering Maldives, regardless of origin country.
Maldives does not specify a strict limit for non-commercial pet imports, but bringing more than 2–3 dogs may trigger commercial import rules. Confirm with the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture before travel.
No, emotional support and service dogs are not exempt from standard import requirements. They must still meet microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate rules.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival in Maldives.
Most airlines allow dogs as checked baggage or cargo, but brachycephalic breeds may be restricted. Contact your airline directly for their specific policy.
Yes, the microchip must be ISO 11784/11785 compliant. If your dog's chip is not ISO-compatible, you may need to bring your own scanner.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to Maldives.

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

  • Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, administered after microchip)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Copy of flight itinerary or booking

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only, explicitly framed as an estimate to verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Maldives Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture.

No quarantine for cats from rabies-free origins. The health certificate must be endorsed by the competent veterinary authority of the origin country. No import permit required.

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

  • Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, administered after microchip)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Copy of flight itinerary or booking

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only, explicitly framed as an estimate to verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Maldives Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture.

No quarantine for cats from low-risk origins. The health certificate must be endorsed by the competent veterinary authority of the origin country. No import permit required.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
30 days
Mandatory quarantine at a government-approved facility in Malé upon arrival. Owner must arrange and pay for quarantine. No home quarantine allowed.
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, administered after microchip)
  • FAVN titer test certificate (≥0.5 IU/ml, from OIE-approved lab)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Import permit from Maldives Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture
  • Copy of flight itinerary or booking

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only, explicitly framed as an estimate to verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-100, quarantine fees ~$15-30 per day. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Maldives Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture.

Cats from high-risk rabies countries face a 30-day quarantine in Malé. The FAVN test must be done at least 90 days before arrival. Import permit is mandatory and must be obtained prior to travel.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, but non-commercial import is limited to 5 cats per traveller. If you bring more than 5, commercial import rules apply, requiring additional permits and possibly higher fees. Contact the Maldives Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture for details.
Yes. Cats from high-risk rabies countries must have a FAVN titer test at an OIE-approved laboratory at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and at least 90 days before arrival. The result must show antibody titre ≥0.5 IU/ml.
No. Cats from low-risk countries (including the US and UK) do not require quarantine upon arrival in Maldives. Only cats from high-risk rabies countries face a mandatory 30-day quarantine.
You need: a microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785), a valid rabies vaccination certificate, a health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, and if from a high-risk country, a FAVN titer test certificate and an import permit. Keep copies in your hand luggage.
No. Maldives does not recognise emotional support animals as a separate category. All cats must follow the standard import requirements based on their origin country's rabies risk tier. No exemptions apply.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of your arrival in Maldives. Schedule the vet visit no more than 10 days before your departure to ensure validity.
Cabin travel depends on the airline's policy, not Maldives' import rules. Many airlines allow small cats (under 8 kg including carrier) in the cabin if the carrier fits under the seat. Check with your airline directly. Maldives does not impose additional restrictions on cabin vs. cargo travel.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to Maldives.

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 microchip number and vaccine details)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by official government veterinarian
  • Microchip documentation (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. No import permit fee. Confirm with Maldives Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture (MFMRA) and your airline.

Ferret import to Maldives is generally straightforward from rabies-free origins. No quarantine. Ensure microchip is implanted before rabies vaccination.

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 microchip number and vaccine details)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by official government veterinarian
  • Microchip documentation (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. No import permit fee. Confirm with Maldives MFMRA and your airline.

Same as free tier. No additional testing or permit needed for low-risk origins. Ensure microchip is implanted before rabies vaccination.

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 or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number and vaccine details)
  • FAVN titer test result (≥0.5 IU/mL) from OIE-approved laboratory
  • Import permit from Maldives Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by official government veterinarian
  • Microchip documentation (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit processing fee ~$50-100 (if any). Confirm with Maldives MFMRA and your airline.

Import permit required for high-risk origins. Apply to Maldives Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture well in advance (allow 4-6 weeks). FAVN test must be done at an OIE-approved laboratory. No quarantine upon arrival if all documents are in order.

Frequently asked questions

No. Only ferrets arriving from high-risk rabies countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) need a FAVN test with a result ≥0.5 IU/mL. Ferrets from free or low-risk origins (EU, US, UK, Japan, Australia, etc.) do not need a titer test.
Maldives does not publish a strict numerical cap for non-commercial pet ferret imports. However, more than 2-3 animals may trigger commercial import rules. Check with the Maldives Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture (MFMRA) before travel if bringing more than 2 ferrets.
No. Maldives does not recognise emotional support or service animals as exempt from standard import rules. All ferrets must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and import permit requirements regardless of their role.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the date of arrival in Maldives. It must be endorsed by an official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA in the US, DEFRA in the UK).
No. An import permit is only required for ferrets arriving from high-risk rabies countries. For free or low-risk origins, no import permit is needed — just a valid health certificate and rabies vaccination documentation.
Airline policies vary, but most carriers require ferrets to travel in the cargo hold as checked baggage or manifest cargo. Very few airlines allow ferrets in the cabin. Check with your specific airline for their pet-in-cabin policy for ferrets. Maldives does not have a national ban on ferrets in cabin, but airline rules apply.
Maldives does not have a specific regulation requiring booster vaccinations during a short stay. However, if you plan to stay long-term or re-export the ferret, keep the vaccination up to date. For re-export, the destination country's rules will apply. No local quarantine is imposed for expired vaccines during a visit.

Good to know

All pets must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip before rabies vaccination. The import permit must be obtained from the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture well in advance, and pets must enter via Malé International Airport only.

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 Maldives, 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 Maldives's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.