How to open a company in Malaysia as foreigner

Malaysia is one of the largest export economies in the world. It is not easier to know real information about how to open a company in Malaysia as foreigners? Currently, it ranks 18th in another country. A recent report shows that it has shipped over 189 billion worth of goods in 2016.

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Requirements to open Sdn Bhd companies are as follows:

• There is at least one shareholder required and the same shareholder is the director by law as default.
• Share capital is RM one at the minimum by law but it is recommended to keep capital of every Sdn Bhd company RM 4000, maximum.
• It is required passport of the director, email, contact number, 3 nature of businesses and 3 proposed business names.
• Cost to open Sdn Bhd company is between RM 3500 to 4000 inclusive company incorporation from register office, virtual office, company secretary service for one year, admin and other fee and bank account opening support.
• It is required 3 to five working days to complete the incorporation of a company procedure through register office.
• It is required 5-seven working days to open bank account successfully.
• Company can be opened even when director live in overseas as information and documents are required, physical present in Malaysia is not requirements.
• But, the director must be present in Malaysia in front of the bank manager to open account for signature and biometric verification.
• Local sponsor, Malaysian nominee and local Malaysian partner is required for some businesses but it is not compulsory for all companies.
• Local nominee director and Malaysian partnership service fee start from RM 3500 to 6000 yearly with some additional security deposit, refundable.

Malaysia’s top three export minerals are minerals fuels, computers and telephone and electrical equipment. Because of its resources and steady economic growth, Malaysia now attracts a huge amount of foreign investors. Malaysia has now become the central hub for starting a business in East Asia. This article is going to describe- what kind of business you should start in Malaysia, document preparation, lodgement and the cost of incroporation.

What types of business you can start in Malaysia as a foreigner?

First of all, you need to find out what types of business is permitted in Malaysia for foreigners. Before you think of open a company in Malaysia, you need to remember that as a foreigner you are not encouraged to set up a business or apply for jobs in specific government sector. Such as textile, minerals or food industry. However, the Malaysian governments encourage foreigners to start a business in the manufacturing and service sectors.

The service sector is considering as one of the important sectors for the economic growth of the country. It is expected that the service sector (financial service, retail trade, communication subsectors) will grow at 6.8 per cent per year. That means it will contribute more than 50 % to the GDP by 2020 and create over 9 million new jobs. Recognizing the potential of the service sector, the government of Malaysia liberalize more than 25 subsectors back in 2009 to bring more foreign investment in the country.

Read Also : Check incorporation of a company Malaysia

Three Most Common Types of Business a Foreigners wants to start in Malaysia

A foreigner can start a business in manufacturing or in service sectors without any restriction. In this section, I will discuss three most common types of business for foreigner’s in Malaysia

1. Private limited company (Sdn Bhd)

Depending on the types of business foreigners are allowed to register a Sendirian Berhan with 100% ownership. However, the Malaysian “Investment Development Authority” maintains all the details record of business that is open to foreign investment in the country. At least 2 members (Director) of the company should have a permanent resident in Malaysia. The private limited company needs to have an employee between 2 to 50 members and 2 shareholders.

Type: Llc

Process: Easy

Required time: 3-5 days to be incorporated.

Total cost with everything: Ringgit 10,000

Bank account open: Easy

2. Labuan Company

Labuan companies are allowed to rent properties in Malaysian but they are not allowed to sell anything in Malaysia.  So Labuan company are unsuitable for local business in Malaysia, as they cannot sell to the Malaysian customer. However, entrepreneurs who want to establish a financial service or international trading business can set up a Labuan company. Labuan is also beneficial for regional distribution businesses, as it is exempt from import and export duties in Labuan. The benefit to open a company in Malaysia especially in Labuan is almost income tax-free.

Type: Llc and Trust

Process: Complicated 

Required time: 30-45 days

Total cost with everything: Almost US$ 10,000-15,000

Bank account open: Challenging 

3. A regional or representative office

The representative office is a convenient way to explore the Malaysian market. This business entity is not subject to corporate tax, but it does not generate profits, so it does not involve any commercial, business or commercial activity. Instead, it may be used to support the head office in support of market research and product support, such as product development, planning or coordination, post-production, and post-sales support.

However, beside this business there are some other types of business such as consulting farm, partnership company, free zone company etc.

Read Also: The sales and service tax (SST) in Malaysia

How to open a company in Malaysia by online?

This portion of the article will guide you for completing the official forms to register a business or company. All you need to do is to follow some simple steps for completing the entire process of incorporation. First of all, you need to check the availability of the company name. After that, you need to complete” BORANG PNA 42” and BORANG A forms for completing trade name and incorporation of a company.

After completing all these works you go to register head office for submitting the forms (bring RM70 & ID Card) for completing the incorporation process. However, you can complete all of the above tasks online. All companies are registered upon submission by papers to register through online. If you don’t know the procedure you can hire a consultant or advisor. All files are submitted online to review. The infographic below shows company name search process steps by steps. Following steps will let you know the path about how to open a company in Malaysia as foreigner and local?

Incorp and other service fee as follows: -

Summary of opening a company in Malaysia as foreigner

First of all, find a company secretarial firm who has company secretary in house to guide opening a company in Malaysia. For setting up a business in Malaysia, you can expect to pay a incorporation fee to the business objects or entity that best suits the situation, given that each body has its own requirements and procedures.

You also need to provide enough for multiple commercial permission, an office space, an initial bank deposit, tax and compliance and maintenance procedures. Follow steps to discuss:

• Company secretary and adviser guide on opening a company
• Cost of incorporation a company and other permission as business nature
• Permission to stay and business operation plan
• Office and hiring employees
• Tax, Audit and Return submission to register office.

Conclusion

In this article, I have described some factors for starting a business in Malaysia as a foreigner. Besides this, I have evaluated the entire process of foreign incorporation of a company (through online). However, this article is written for people who want to start a partnership business in Malaysia only. It’s not as complicated as you think of registering a business in Malaysia in. Even if you think you need help or advice about registering your company in Malaysia don’t forget to contact us. We are always here to help you out.