How to Register a Company in Malaysia? A Step-by-Step Guide to the Entire Company Registration Process in Malaysia

Registering a company under the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur is, in fact, more straightforward than one might imagine. There is no need for complex layers of offshore intermediaries, nor is it necessary to make three separate trips to Malaysia just to affix official seals. As long as all required documents are complete, the procedural pathway is clear, and the applicant entity complies with regulatory requirements, the entire local registration process can be completed online-typically within an average of 10 working days.

So, how does one register a company in Malaysia? The core eligibility criteria are quite clear Company registration in Malaysia is uniformly regulated by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM, Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia). Full foreign ownership (100% foreign equity) is explicitly permitted; there is no statutory minimum paid-up capital requirement-though it is advisable to deposit at least RM1 (Malaysian Ringgit One) into the company’s bank account and retain corresponding bank statement evidence. The preferred corporate structure is the “Private Limited Company” (Sendirian Berhad, abbreviated as Sdn. Bhd.), which serves as the legally mandated entity form for the vast majority of foreign-invested enterprises establishing operations in Malaysia.

The following documents are required to register a company in Malaysia

1. Proposed company name(s) Submit 2-3 alternative names; the SSM system conducts real-time name availability checks. Names must not contain restricted terms such as “Bank”, “Insurance”, or other regulated words;

2. At least one director Must be at least 18 years of age; nationality is unrestricted, but the director must possess a valid local Malaysian residential address-or provide an effective local correspondence address;

3. At least one shareholder May be either an individual (natural person) or a legal entity (corporation); foreign shareholders require no local Malaysian citizen guarantor;

4. A local registered office address Must be a physical address-not a virtual mailbox-and must be substantiated by supporting documentation, such as a copy of a recent utility bill (e.g., electricity or water) or a certified lease agreement;

5. Memorandum and Articles of Association (MAA) SSM provides standardized templates; applicants may select pre-approved clauses online to generate the MAA automatically;

6. Scanned copies of passports or national identification cards for all directors and shareholders; proof of residential address issued within the last three months; and signature specimens-each requiring either notarization or witnessing by a licensed Malaysian lawyer.

The company registration process in Malaysia consists of five sequential steps

1. Name Approval Log in to the SSM official website (www.ssm.gov.my) → Submit the proposed company name application via your MySSM account; results are typically issued within two hours;

2. Online Application Form Submission Complete the company structure, director/shareholder details, authorized share capital, and business scope using the e-Registration system. All information must be provided in both English and Bahasa Malaysia (bilingual submission is mandatory);

3. Document Upload Upload all scanned supporting documents. The system automatically validates file formats and completeness, flagging any missing items immediately;

4. Fee Payment Regulatory Review Pay the registration fee (approximately RM1,060, comprising RM30 for name reservation + RM1,000 for incorporation registration + RM30 for MAA filing). SSM generally completes its review within 3-5 working days;

5. Certificate Issuance Upon approval, the electronic versions of the Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate will be automatically delivered to the registered email address. Physical hard copies may be requested voluntarily.

Upon successful registration, additional statutory compliance steps must be completed concurrently

Tax registration with the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN) to obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN);

Opening a local corporate bank account (most banks require at least one director to appear in person; some banks now offer video-based remote verification);

If hiring local employees, registering with the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and the Social Security Organization (SOCSO).

The above outlines the key milestones and practical operational considerations for registering a company in Malaysia. We hope this information proves helpful to you.