Leverage our expertise in incorporating a company in Malaysia! We specialize in assisting foreign entrepreneurs and businesses to establish their presence in Malaysia through seamless, omnichannel company incorporation services. Our expert and personalized team is here to guide you every step of the way, regardless of whether you are a local entrepreneur or a foreign investor looking to expand your business into Malaysia.

Why is Malaysia the Perfect Destination for Your Business?

Malaysia’s robust economy and strategic Southeast Asian location make it an ideal destination for business incorporation. The nation reported $69.5 billion in approved investments and $39.7 billion in actual foreign investment in 2023, reflecting its strong investment climate. With a well-educated workforce and government incentives targeting key sectors like semiconductors, data centers, renewable energy, manufacturing, and biotechnology, Malaysia offers a conducive environment for business growth. The streamlined incorporation process further enhances its appeal, providing a cost-effective and promising platform for establishing and expanding businesses in Asia.

Related Read: Step by Step Guide for Foreigners’ Company Registration in Malaysia

Requirements to Incorporate a Company in Malaysia

Malaysia is a dynamic hub for business and investment, attracting both local and international entrepreneurs with its strategic location, robust infrastructure, and business-friendly policies. Establishing a company in Malaysia is a straightforward process, governed by the Companies Act 2016, which outlines the legal and regulatory framework for company incorporation. Whether you are a local entrepreneur starting a private limited company (Sdn Bhd) or a foreign investor setting up a wholly or partially foreign-owned entity, understanding the incorporation requirements is crucial for a seamless setup.

Here are the basic requirements to set up a company in Malaysia. Whether you are a local entrepreneur or a foreign investor, these foundational criteria must be met to establish a legally compliant business entity in the country.

Company Name & Business Activity

1 Director with a Local Residential Address

At Least 1 Shareholder

Minimum Paid Up Capital of MYR 1

An Appointed Company Secretary

Registered Physical Office Address in Malaysia

Company Name Checker

Check Your Company Name Availability Using Our Free Tool!

Please enter the full name you would like to use for your company — for example, ‘Singapore Airlines’ — and click on ‘Search Name’ below.

Document Requirements in Malaysia

Our Malaysia Company Incorporation Services

With extensive experience in registering businesses across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Hong Kong, we specialize in incorporating Sdn Bhd companies in Malaysia. Our deep understanding of the incorporation process and proven track record in facilitating successful registrations make us the trusted choice. Let us guide you through a seamless and efficient journey, ensuring your Sdn Bhd company is registered quickly and hassle-free.

Company Secretary

We provide comprehensive company secretarial services, managing statutory records, filing annual returns, and ensuring compliance with SSM regulations.

Name Reservation with SSM

Our team secures your preferred company name with SSM through thorough checks and efficient application processing.

Document Preparation

We handle all document preparation for company registration, ensuring accuracy and compliance with local requirements.

Certificate of Incorporation & Statutory Documents

We assist in obtaining your Certificate of Incorporation and statutory documents, ensuring your business is legally ready to operate.

Corporate Bank Account Opening

We streamline the corporate bank account setup by preparing documentation and coordinating with local banks.

Need more information on our services? today!

Experienced Business Consultants

Our 2 Decades of Proven Expertise Will Guide Your Business

With over two decades of experience spanning Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Hong Kong, we have successfully facilitated the incorporation of more than 2,000 companies across diverse jurisdictions. In Malaysia, our expertise is reflected in our high success rate for securing work permits and navigating complex regulatory requirements, demonstrating our commitment to client success. As trusted advisors, we specialize in leveraging strategic networks and market insights to empower businesses, ensuring seamless incorporation processes and a solid foundation for growth in competitive markets.

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What is a Sendirian Berhad (Sdn Bhd) Company?

A Sendirian Berhad (Sdn Bhd) is a private limited liability company in Malaysia, incorporated under the Companies Act 2016. It operates as a separate legal entity, allowing it to own assets, enter contracts, and incur liabilities independently of its shareholders, whose liability is limited to their share capital. A Sdn Bhd must have at least one Malaysia-resident director and can have up to 50 shareholders, including individuals or corporate entities. Its shares cannot be publicly traded, ensuring greater control and privacy. With tax benefits, government incentives, and legal protections, a Sdn Bhd is an ideal structure for businesses seeking growth and credibility in Malaysia’s competitive market.

What is a Sdn Bhd? | Paul Hype Page Malaysia
Key Features of a Sdn Bhd Paul Hype Page

Key Features of a Sendirian Berhad (Sdn Bhd)

  • Limited Liability Protection: Shareholders are not personally liable for the company’s debts beyond their share capital.

  • Separate Legal Entity: The company can own assets, sue or be sued, and enter into contracts in its name.

  • Ownership: Can have between 1 and 50 shareholders, including individuals or corporations.

  • Shares: Shares cannot be publicly traded, making it ideal for private businesses.

  • Taxation: Taxed at a corporate tax rate, which is typically lower than personal income tax rates.

Unsure? Ask an Expert!

How to Register a Company in Malaysia?

Now that you know the characteristics of a Sdn Bhd in Malaysia, see the step-by-step guide on registering your new company.

Step 1: Company Name Selection

Choosing a suitable and memorable company name is a pivotal step in incorporating your business, as it lays the foundation for long-term success. To comply with Malaysian regulations, ensure your selected name carries an appropriate meaning. Additionally, clarify the meaning of any foreign words or abbreviations included, as this information is required by the Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM) for approval of your proposed company name.

Step 2: Your Malaysia Business Activity Code

The Malaysia Standard Industrial Classification (MSIC) system, developed by the Department of Statistics Malaysia, is a comprehensive code-based framework for categorizing business activities. Each activity is assigned a unique code to facilitate accurate identification and classification across industries. When incorporating your company with the Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM), it is essential to identify and select the MSIC code that best represents your primary business activity.

Step 3: Apply for Business Licenses

Leverage Tantoo.io, our patented digital corporate services platform, to seamlessly input your information and automatically generate fully completed company incorporation documents. The entire process is conducted online, from form submission to the electronic signing of all required documents, ensuring efficiency and convenience at every step.

Step 4: Open a Corporate Bank Account

Establishing a corporate bank account is a vital step in maintaining proper financial management for your company. For foreign entrepreneurs setting up a company in Malaysia, the process can present unique challenges. Banks often require the physical presence of the account opener (with some exceptions) and may exhibit a preference for established businesses, creating additional hurdles for newly incorporated companies.

To simplify this process, consider utilizing professional services designed to streamline corporate bank account setup. Our dedicated bank account opening services ensure a hassle-free experience, making your company incorporation journey smoother and more efficient. Contact us today through our inquiry form or WhatsApp to get started!

Step 5: Secure Your Malaysia Employment Pass

If you are a foreigner setting up a company in Malaysia, you will need to apply for a work visa to run your business operations.

Our recommendation is the Malaysia Employment Pass (EP). Reach out to us to increase your channces of EP approval, our Malaysia EP success rate for approvals is 93%.

Step 6: Adhere to annual reporting & compliance

After you’ve incorporated your company, you are bounded by the governmental regulations.

These include corporate secretary activities, corporate tax filing, and more. Leave all compliance work to us and never miss a deadline – penalties are involved if you miss!

Reach our Representatives

The best way for the foreigners who want to enter Malaysia’s market, is to engage a company incorporation service provider. That provides you one stop service, from registering a business all the way to post-incorporation.

Reach out our sale representative for register a company in Singapore

What Is The Timeline to Incorporate in Malaysia?

Typically 5 to 10 working days. However, the exact timeframe can depend on a few things.

Check if you have a company name readily approved by Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM), that shaves off valuable time.

Ensure all your documents are complete and submitted correctly to avoid delays.

Using a service provider to help with the incorporation process, can streamline the process depending on their workflow.

In the best-case scenario, you could be up and running in just one day with all the paperwork approved. It’s always best to consult a company registration specialist in Malaysia for the most accurate timeline, as they can consider your specific situation and current processing times.

Malaysia Incorporation Timeline Paul Hype Page Malaysia
Malaysia Incorporation Costs Paul Hype Page Malaysia

What are the costs to incorporate in Malaysia?

Incorporating a Sendirian Berhad (Sdn Bhd) company in Malaysia involves several costs, starting with the fees charged by the Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM). The SSM imposes a base name reservation fee and incorporation fee totaling RM1,215*, which covers the approval of your proposed company name and the registration of the business.

While the base SSM fee remains fixed, professional services offer value by saving you time, reducing the complexity of the incorporation process, and ensuring compliance with all necessary regulations.

*Total costs are subject to additional services

Ready to Incorporate?

Kickstart your Malaysia Company Registration via
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Frequently Asked Questions

Starting a new company can be daunting – here are the top questions regarding Malaysia company incorporation that will clear your doubts!

After company incorporation, post-incorporation requirements include appointing a company secretary within 30 days, maintaining proper accounting records, filing annual returns and financial statements, and complying with tax obligations.

We offer a range of comprehensive post-incorporation services such as corporate services, financial services, employment & HR services, and advisory & consultancy services to ensure your business operates smoothly and remains compliant with legal and regulatory requirements.

Yes, it is possible to change the company name after incorporation. However, the process involves certain legal procedures and requirements, including obtaining approval from the SSM.

A foreign individual has the option to establish a company as the sole shareholder. However, if they intend to be the sole director of the company as well, they must meet the requirement specified in section 196(4) of the Companies Act 2016.

This entails having a principal place of residence in Malaysia, indicating that they ordinarily reside in the country.

Yes, a physical office space is required for company incorporation in Malaysia. The registered office needs a physical address in Malaysia. In order to receive official documents and store the company’s statutory records.

There are several types of entities that are available for establishment in Malaysia, including:

M&A, or Memorandum and Articles of Association were documents that defines the relationship between the company and the outside. They also contain essential information about the company. It was mandatory for every company to have a Memorandum and Articles of Association, as encompassed in the prior Companies Act of 1965.

At present, the M&A are now collectively termed as the Constitution under the Companies Act of 2016.

An incorporated company in Malaysia is a legal entity formed and registered with the Malaysian Companies Commission (SSM) under the Companies Act 2016. Once established, the corporation is a separate legal entity from its owners (shareholders) and management (directors).

SSM registration in Malaysia is the process of registering a business or corporation with Malaysia’s Companies Commission (Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia, or SSM). SSM is Malaysia’s statutory organization in charge of regulating and managing businesses and companies, guaranteeing compliance with the Companies Act 2016 and other relevant legislation.

Have more questions? today!

Malaysia Company Incorporation Guides

Supplement your existing knowledge with additional insightful readings that we’ve crafted based on our years of experience.

Malaysia Company Incorporation as a Foreigner

Foreigner looking to incorporate a company in Malaysia? Understand the process, different business structures, and post-incorporation steps.

5 Types of Business Entities that can be Incorporated in Malaysia

Find out which type of business entity is right for you, between Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, LLP, SDN BHD, or Berhad.

Difference between SDN BHD, Sole-Proprietor and Partnership in Malaysia Company Incorporation

Clear your confusion on which business structure to choose when incorporating your company in Malaysia.

Corporate Bank Account Opening for Company Incorporation in Malaysia

Understand the process in opening a Corporate Bank Account for both local and foreign businesses.