Pet import requirements for the Maldives

The Maldives at a glance

The detail

For Maldives, start with this checkpoint: cats is old enough to receive rabies vaccination and have protection. The Maldives, of ficially the Republic of Maldives, and historically known as Maldive Islands, is a country and archipelagic state in South Asia in the Indian Ocean. Cargo and passenger-pet routings commonly use MLE.

Import requirements

Cats is old enough to receive rabies vaccination and have protection. Live dogs are not allowed to enter as pets.

Import requirements are mainly documented by the Fisheries ministry for pet cats imports only & for other pets move you need to consult us case by case basis. (Maldives fisheries ministry is the main authorized & governing body for peats relocations in & out Maldives

CAT IMPORT-

In order to import a cat, you need to fill out and apply for Permit to Import Live Animals (attached).

Furthermore, the following requirements must be fulfilled:

• An original State Veterinary Health Certificate in English is required and should state that the: -
• Animal is clinically healthy, free from signs of any in fections and contagious diseases and without any deformity at the time of dispatch.
• The cat has been vaccinated against Feline calicivirus, Feline viral rhinotracheitis, Feline panleukopenia and Rabies prior to arrival at the airport.
• The cat has been treated for in ternal and external parasites 14 days before arrival and the given medication should mentioned in the Veterinary Health Certificate.
• Cats should be free from Rabies, Feline leukemia virus, Feline immune deficiency virus, Chlamydophila virus, Bordetella virus, Feline in fectious peritonitis and Mycoplasma and ring worm.
• A copy of pet passport / vaccination card, showing clearly that the cat is vaccinated against Rabies and cat flu caused by Feline calicivirus, Feline viral rhinotrachities and Feline panleukopenia.
• A copy of commercial in voice approved by Maldives Customs Services and a copy of the Airway bill or bill of landing must be submitted to the Quarantine Officer designated at the port of arrival on clearance of cat.

• IMPORT PERMIT

• INVOICE

• WORK PERMIT

• PASSPORT VISA PAGE

• CLIENT AUTHORIZATN LETTERS

• EMPLOYMENT LETTERS

• FOREIGN MINISTRY LETTER – FOR MALDIVIANS ONLY

• IMPORT PERMIT

• INVOICE

• PET’S ORIGINAL PASSPORTS & ORIGINAL HEALTH DOCUMENTS TO BE ACCOMPANIED WITH THE SHIPMENT

• COMPANY REGISTARTION CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE MALE AUTHORITY

• IMPORTER / EXPORTER REGISTARTION CERATIFCATE WITH MALE CUSTOMS

Contact Ministry of Fisheries Marine Resources and Agriculture for more in formation.

N/A

Identification and microchip

All cats must be tagged with a subcutaneous electronic chip that transmits on a frequency of 134.2 kilohertz can be read with a chip reader.

Rabies and vaccinations

Your cat must have received a rabies vaccination at least 30 days prior to entering the country. Other vaccinations may also be required depending on your country of origin so it is recommended you check with the relevant export authorities in your country.

A rabies titer test is not required regardless of your country of origin.

Cat must be vaccinated against rabies between 30 days and 12 months before the journey.

Each vaccination must in clude all the following in formation: (1) date of vaccination, (2) vaccine product in formation, and (3). veterinarian’s detail: full name, license number, and signature of a veterinarian who administered the

vaccination.

Active immunization of cats against feline panleucopaenia virus (FPLV), feline herpes virus (FHV) and feline calicivirus (FCV) and Rabies.

Tests and treatments

The cat should be tested for Dirofilaria Immitis (Heartworm) and /or treated as stated for this condition. Cats must test negative.

The Government does not clearly specify the timeframe nor the test methods. The Government of Maldives accepts tests done using ELISA or PCR or Knott’s done within 30 days prior to embarkation.

External and in ternal parasite protection treatments administered by licensed veterinarian and are to be recorded on health certificate with date and product used. Recommended within 7 days of travel. Must use approved product in your country with proper active in gredients.

Your cat must have a tapeworm treatment administered by a licensed veterinarian or test negative for Dirofilaria Immitis.

Health certificate and permits

The importer must be accompanied by an International Veterinary Certificate, which was issued not more than 10 days prior the arrival and signed by the Government Veterinary Authority in the country of origin.

• An original State Veterinary Health Certificate in English is required and should state that the:
• Animal is clinically healthy, free from signs of any in fections and contagious diseases and without any deformity at the time of dispatch.
• The cat has been vaccinated against Feline calicivirus, Feline viral rhinotracheitis, Feline panleukopenia and Rabies prior to arrival at the airport.
• The cat has been treated for in ternal and external parasites 14 days before arrival and the given medication should mentioned in the Veterinary Health Certificate.
• Cats should be free from Rabies, Feline leukemia virus, Feline immune deficiency virus, Chlamydophila virus, Bordetella virus, Feline in fectious peritonitis and Mycoplasma and ring worm.

Cats have been kept in the country of origin since birth or for the six (06) months period immediately prior to export to Maldives;

• All cats must be tagged with a subcutaneous electronic chip that transmits on a frequency of 134.2 kilohertz can be read with a chip reader.
• The cat shall be no less than 4 months of age up on arrival in Maldives.

• All cats require a veterinary health certificate which state that:
• At the time of examination it did not exhibit any symptoms of contagious and in fectious diseases in cluding rabies, Aujeszky’s disease, Filariasis, Leptospirosis for a period of minimum three (3) months immediately prior to embarkation

• They have been vaccinated against rabies and feline panleucopaenia no more than one year and no less than 30 days prior to their arrival in Maldives
• The cat has been treated for in testinal parasites using a broad- spectrum anthelmintic and, treated for external parasites within seven (07) days immediately prior to shipment using a reliable parasiticide

• The cat has been tested for Dirofilaria immitis and /or treated as stated for this condition.

The applicant should forward the application form using Livestock and Live fish import permit application form to the Director Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture, Maldives;

Phone: +960 332-2625

Fax: +960 332-6558

a minimum of two (02) weeks prior to in tended date of import.

No Person will import an animal unless through the following ports of entry: Ibrahim Naseer International Airport, Male, Maldives

Once the application is reviewed, Director/Agriculture, MoFA will issue the permit.

The permit issued to applicant/importer is valid for 45 days from the date of issue.

Import Permit Application Form

Quarantine

AIRPORT QUARANTINE OFFICE TO BE INFORMED PRIOR 72 HOURS SHIPMENT ARRIVAL

• Upon arrival of animals the importer should forward the originals of the International Veterinary Certificates fulfilling requirements stated in the section (3) of this document, to the Plant and Animal Quarantine Officer, Ibrahim Nasser International Airport, Male, Maldives.
• Imported cats will be subjected to quarantine in spection at the Airport. If necessary samples will be taken for in vestigation.

• Imported cats will be subjected to a post-export quarantine period of thirty days (30) in the owner’s premises.
• In the event that the demands of the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture have not been met in full, the cats will be returned to their country of origin, destroyed or transferred to a quarantine facility at the discretion of the Director and according to the condition he dictates.

• The importer/owner will be charged with all costs in curred due to the return of the animals to their country of origin, their euthanasia and /or their transfer to and stay in quarantine, in cluding examinations, diagnoses, vaccinations and special treatments if ordered by the Veterinarian of MoFA.

Restrictions and banned breeds

Live dogs are not allowed into Maldives & may remain on board on the luxury yachts only & only for the use of government forces.

Only cats and other pets can be imported.

Customs, agents, and airports

Highly recommended

Recommended Airport:

• Velana International Airport/ Malé-Velana International Airport, Malé, Maldives (IATA: MLE, ICAO: VRMM)

The main means of transport in the Maldives is the dhoni boat. From the airport port (which is located 2 km northeast of Male) to the Maldivian capital, these boats go every 15 minutes, and from midnight to the morning hours every 30 minutes. In addition to dhoni boats, local means of transport in clude motor boats, as well as helicopters and seaplanes.

https://www.traveltrademaldives.com/practice

Airports listed on this destination file: MLE.

When travelling by air, your pet will arrive at Male International Airport on Hulhule Island. Cats can travel in the cabin, as checked baggage or in the cargo compartment. Upon arrival, your pet will be examined by the veterinarian and must not present any symptoms of communicable diseases.

• IMPORT PERMIT – COMPULSORY

• CUSTOMS DECLARATION – TO BE COMPLETED PRIOR 72 HOURS SHIPMENT ARRIVAL

• AIRPORT QUARANTINE OFFICE TO BE INFORMED PRIOR 24 HOURS SHIPMENT ARRIVAL

• PET’S ORIGINAL PASSPORTS & ORIGINAL HEALTH DOCUMENTS TO BE ACCOMPANIED WITH THE SHIPMENT

The Republic of the Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean. It is composed of multiple atolls which are made up of a total of 1196 islands, and is located in the continent of Asia. The chain of islands is to the south-west of India and Sri Lanka and stretches over 871 km.Male, MLE, Velana International Airport, Maldives is the best International Airport to use. A Customs Broker and an Agent are both required.

Export notes

EXPORT PERMIT, EXPORT INVOICE & DESTINATION IMPORT PERMIT ARE REQUIRED.

Export in formation is provided at this link and you also must meet the criteria of the destination country. https://www.zoophilist-maldives.com/INFO/Export-of-cats/

Island Veterinarian Resource:

https://www.facebook.com/OASESvets

+960 725-6363

oasesvethospital@gmail.com

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

The Republic of the Maldives is a member, and you will need to follow the CITES protocol for endangered species.

Dogs are prohibited to enter the waters on yachts. If it is an emergency, it is advised to contact the Government and get permission in advance.

The process of obtaining a special permit: In some cases, you can apply to organizations and the administration of the Maldives with a request for a special permit to have a dog. However, such requests can be considered in dividually and do not always meet with a positive response.

EXPORT PERMIT, EXPORT INVOICE & DESTINATION IMPORT PERMIT ARE REQUIRED.

Export in formation is provided at this link and you also must meet the criteria of the destination country. https://www.zoophilist-maldives.com/INFO/Export-of-cats/

Island Veterinarian Resource:

https://www.facebook.com/OASESvets

+960 725-6363

oasesvethospital@gmail.com

Official contacts

Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture

Velaanaage, 7th Floor

Ameeru Ahmed Magu

Malé, 20096

Republic of Maldives

Phone: +960 332-2625

Fax: +960 332-6558

Email: admin@fishagri.gov.mv

Email: info@fishagri.gov.mv

Website: http://www.fishagri.gov.mv

Office Hours Sun - Thu 08:00 - 14:00 (Working Hours)

Nautical Maldives (Pvt) LtdPoint of Contact Name - Saliya Perera

Phone - 00960 9100313

Fax: +960 3011999

Email - saliya@ttsgroup.mv

Website: https://ttsgroupmaldives.com/Plant and Animal Quarantine Unit, Hulhule’, Phone: (+960) 3303742

Ministry of Fisheries Marine Resources and Agricuture

7th Floor Velaanaage Building 20096

Ameer Ahmed

Magu, Male, Maldives

960 332-2625

Email: atollsofmaldives@fishagri.gov.mv

Current as of June 2024

Disclaimer

Import rules change without much warning. Confirm every vaccine date, test, permit, and crate routing with the destination veterinary authority before you travel. This page is a planning brief for Furry Freight customers, last checked against the IPATA country profile dated 2025-05-23.

Next: measure your dog, find the kennel size, then get a free travel quote. Moving on military orders? PCS moves. Going to Hawaiʻi instead? Hawaiʻi has its own regime.

Other destinations: Afghanistan · Armenia · Azerbaijan · all destinations