Overseas companies opening in Malaysia
A Malaysian subsidiary to sell, hire or run regional operations, with the parent company as shareholder.
Set up a Malaysian company from abroad.
Foreigners can own all of a Sdn Bhd in most sectors. What trips people up is the detail around it: the resident director rule, capital levels for licences and work passes, and opening the bank account. We plan those before you incorporate.
- 100%foreign ownership allowed in most sectors
- 1director must ordinarily live in Malaysia
- Onlinename check, signing and filings
Who we help.
Three kinds of founders call us most often.
Founders relocating to Malaysia
You want to run your own company here and apply for an Employment Pass through it.
Owners running the business from abroad
You need a compliant local structure, address and company secretary while you manage from overseas.
The requirements for foreign-owned companies.
The rules that always apply
- At least one director whose principal place of residence is in Malaysia (Companies Act 2016, s.196(4))
- A registered office address in Malaysia
- A licensed company secretary within 30 days of incorporation
- At least one shareholder, who can be an individual or a company
What to prepare
- Passport copies for every director and shareholder
- Proof of residential address
- For a corporate shareholder: its certificate of incorporation, constitution and a board resolution
- Certified or notarised copies if documents are signed outside Malaysia
Capital, licences and work passes.
SSM accepts a paid-up capital of RM1, but the figure you actually need depends on what the company will do. Two rules catch foreign founders most often.
Wholesale and retail trade. A foreign-owned company that sells goods to customers in Malaysia generally needs a Wholesale and Retail Trade (WRT) licence, and the paid-up capital commonly applied to a 100% foreign-owned company is RM1 million.
Employment Pass. If the company will sponsor you or other foreign staff, the guidelines set a higher minimum paid-up capital for foreign-owned companies, commonly between RM500,000 and RM1 million depending on ownership and sector.
These thresholds change, so we confirm the current figure for your exact business activity before you fix the share capital.
What it costs.
Every foreign set-up is different, so we quote after a short consultation. Government fees are always shown separately.
ServiceWhat's includedFrom
Sdn Bhd registration for foreigners
Consultation on structure and capital, name check, MyCoID incorporation, certified copies of the incorporation documents, first resolutions and share certificates.Companies Act 2016, s.14 and s.15
Quote+ RM1,050 SSM fees
Resident director
A Malaysian resident director through a licensed partner, with a clear agreement on duties and a plan for when your own director takes over.s.196(4)
Quoteper 6 or 12 months
Company secretary
Licensed secretary, statutory registers, annual return and every SSM deadline.s.235 and s.236
RM80/monthbilled yearly
Employment Pass and licences
Preparation of Employment Pass applications and WRT or other sector licences, through licensed partners.
Quoteon review
Prices exclude SST. SSM fees are paid at cost and listed separately on every quote.
Four steps to a working company.
Plan the structure
Ownership, resident director, capital and licences, agreed before anything is lodged.
Incorporate
We check the name, prepare the documents for e-signing or certified signing abroad, and lodge with SSM.
Open the bank account
We prepare the bank's document pack and the board resolution. Many banks still ask to meet at least one director, so we plan the timing with you.
Stay compliant
Secretary appointed, registers set up, and your annual return, accounts and tax dates put in one calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Reviewed by [licensed secretary name], November 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Malaysian Sdn Bhd?
Yes, in most sectors. Some regulated industries, such as certain financial, telecommunications and distributive trade activities, have equity conditions or licences, so we check your business activity first.
Do I need a Malaysian director?
The company needs at least one director whose principal place of residence is in Malaysia. It does not have to be a Malaysian citizen: a permanent resident or a foreigner living here on a valid pass can qualify.
Can I register the company without coming to Malaysia?
Yes. Incorporation is done online and documents can be signed electronically or as certified copies abroad. Opening the bank account is the step most likely to need a visit.
Can I move to Malaysia if I open a company here?
Owning a company does not give you the right to live or work in Malaysia. You would apply for an Employment Pass through the company, which has its own capital, salary and business requirements.
How long does it take?
SSM incorporation usually takes one to three working days once documents are complete. Bank accounts, licences and work passes take longer and depend on each authority.
Tell us what the company will do.
Your business activity decides the capital, licences and passes you need. Send us a short description and we will reply with a plan and a quote.