PetTravelPass

Bringing a dog or cat from the United Arab Emirates to Malaysia

Under Malaysia's rules, pets from the United Arab Emirates are in the group “Non-scheduled countries (general)”. A dog from the United Arab Emirates needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine, an import permit and an official health certificate. Expect at least 7 days of quarantine on arrival. There is no long waiting period, so a few weeks of preparation is usually enough.

About Malaysia: Pets need an import permit from MAQIS, an ISO microchip and a health exam within 7 days before export. Pets from 22 'scheduled' (rabies-free) countries skip quarantine. Everyone else does at least 7 days' quarantine, and pets from Australia and Indonesia have their own tougher rules. Malaysia bans or restricts many large dog breeds.

Non-scheduled countries (general) Quarantine

Titer test
Not required
Wait after blood test
—
Import permit
Required
Quarantine
7+ days

No long wait: The current DVS document (notice 11 Dec 2025) states no titer and no minimum vaccine interval. The older 2019 consolidated rules required vaccination 3+ months before export and a titer of >=0.5 IU/ml drawn 1+ month after vaccination and within 6 months of export. See uncertain.

Step by step

  1. Microchip and vaccinate

    Use an ISO microchip, give an approved rabies vaccine before export, and give core vaccines within 12 months of export.

  2. Book quarantine and get the permit

    Apply to MAQIS for the import permit. Quarantine space must be confirmed, at KLIA, Penang or Padang Besar.

  3. Health certificate

    A government vet issues it after an exam within 7 days before export.

  4. Quarantine on arrival

    The pet spends at least 7 days at a MAQIS quarantine station at the owner's cost.

Minimum 7 days in MAQIS quarantine, extendable to 6 months after a case-by-case risk assessment. The older 2019 rules said 14 days minimum. The pet may be re-vaccinated during quarantine.

Good to know

Cats
Same documents as dogs. First- to fourth-generation Bengal and Savannah cats and their crosses are banned (Indonesia document). Later generations need proof of ancestry.
Banned breeds
Akita, American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, Neapolitan Mastiff, Pit Bull types incl. American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Boerboel (in Indonesia/Australia documents), Perro de Presa Canario (banned in Indonesia/Australia documents; restricted in scheduled/non-scheduled documents)
How many pets
No DVS limit on pets per person (DVS FAQ). Local councils limit dogs per household.
Parasite treatment
Australia and Indonesia origins: external and internal parasite treatment 2-7 days before export. Not stated for other origins in the current documents.
Arrival
Fly direct to the landing place on the permit. Pets that need quarantine land only at KLIA (Sepang), Penang International Airport or Padang Besar (Thai border). DVS FAQ says pets enter as cargo only, declared to a quarantine officer.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to bring a dog from the United Arab Emirates to Malaysia?

The United Arab Emirates counts as "Non-scheduled countries (general)" for Malaysia. There is no rabies blood test or long wait. The current DVS document (notice 11 Dec 2025) states no titer and no minimum vaccine interval. The older 2019 consolidated rules required vaccination 3+ months before export and a titer of >=0.5 IU/ml drawn 1+ month after vaccination and within 6 months of export. See uncertain. Allow a few weeks for the vet visits and the health certificate.

Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from the United Arab Emirates to Malaysia?

No. Pets from the United Arab Emirates do not need a titer test for Malaysia if the other rules are met.

Will my pet be quarantined in Malaysia?

Yes. Pets from the United Arab Emirates spend at least 7 days in quarantine on arrival.

Do I need an import permit?

Yes. Malaysia requires an import permit.

Are the rules the same for cats?

Same documents as dogs. First- to fourth-generation Bengal and Savannah cats and their crosses are banned (Indonesia document). Later generations need proof of ancestry.

Sources

Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: Malaysia pet import rules.

More destinations from the United Arab Emirates

Moving to Malaysia from somewhere else?