Emerhub Malaysia
Company incorporation and corporate services in Malaysia
Emerhub sets up and runs Sdn Bhd companies for foreign investors across Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and the rest of Malaysia, from incorporation and licensing to tax and compliance.
- 100% foreign ownership of an Sdn Bhd in most sectors
- One team for incorporation, licensing, tax, and visas
- Resident director and licensed secretary, both arranged for you
100%
Foreign ownership, most sectors
24%
Corporate income tax
1-3 wks
To incorporate
3%
Labuan company tax option
Our services
Full range of corporate services in Malaysia
From the company and the licenses to tax and the people you bring in, we handle the parts of setting up and running a Malaysian business that foreign owners cannot do alone.
Company registration
Sdn Bhd setup with SSM, from name reservation to your Notice of Registration and bank account.
Learn moreTax & accounting
Bookkeeping, payroll, SST, and your annual tax return, filed accurately and on time.
Learn moreProduct registration
Certificates from the NPRA, MDA, or FSQD so you can sell in regulated categories.
Learn moreTrademark registration
Register your brand name, logo, and marks and protect your identity in Malaysia.
Learn moreImporter of record
Import into Malaysia without your own entity or import license.
Learn moreVirtual office
A registered business address for incorporation and compliance, without a physical lease.
Learn moreVisas & work permits
Employment passes and business visas for you and your team, tied to the right capital.
Learn moreLegal entities
The right structure for your business
Most foreign founders choose an Sdn Bhd. A Labuan company suits international business with substance in Labuan.
| Feature | Sdn Bhd (private limited) | Labuan company |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Operating in the Malaysian market | International business booked through Labuan |
| Foreign ownership | Up to 100% in most sectors | 100% |
| Directors | At least one resident director | At least one director, no residency requirement |
| Minimum capital | RM1, but RM500k to RM1m in practice for licensing and visas | USD 1 |
| Company secretary | Licensed Malaysian company secretary | From a Labuan trust company |
| Tax | 24% corporate income tax | 3% of audited net profits, with substance rules |
How setup works
The setup process.
A clear path from your first call to a company that is registered and ready to operate.
Stage 01
Initial consultation
Tell us your planned activities and we advise on the structure and licenses under SSM rules, including the right paid-up capital for your sector and any expatriate visas.
Stage 02
Documents and name
We gather the documents, reserve the company name through MyCoID, and prepare the incorporation application and constitution.
Stage 03
SSM incorporation
We register the company with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), obtain the Notice of Registration, appoint the licensed company secretary, and help open the corporate bank account.
Stage 04
Licenses and tax
We register for tax with LHDN, set up SST and e-invoicing where needed, and secure the business licenses and permits your activity requires.
Tax and compliance
Tax and the filings that follow
What a Malaysian company pays, and what it has to file.
The corporate income tax rate is 24%, charged on income sourced in or received in Malaysia. There is no GST. Instead the Sales and Service Tax applies, with sales tax at 5% or 10% on goods and service tax at 8% on covered services. Capital gains tax of 10% applies to disposals of unlisted shares, and withholding tax applies to certain payments to non-residents.
Every company files its return (Form C) within seven months of its financial year end, and from 2025 invoices must run through the LHDN e-invoicing system. Most foreign-owned companies also need a statutory audit. We handle the bookkeeping, the e-invoicing setup, the audit coordination, and the filings so the deadlines do not slip.
The lower SME tax rates are not for foreign-owned companies. Since 2024, once more than 20% of a company is owned by foreigners, it loses the 15% and 17% SME bands and pays the flat 24%. We plan instead around the incentives that do apply, such as Pioneer Status, the Investment Tax Allowance, and Malaysia Digital status.
Client reviews
What clients say
Rated 4.7 across 226 Google reviews.
“A smooth process from start to finish, from translating the documents to getting the license issued.”
Melvin Chong
“Very smooth process. The team was very helpful and got my company registered. Total transparency and good service.”
Syed Murtaza
“Handled by a professional team. Active follow-up, responding in less than 24 hours, and the project was done within the promised deadline.”
CK2 Kosasi
Common questions
Company formation in Malaysia
What foreign founders ask before they incorporate.
What are the different types of business entities available in Malaysia?
The most common vehicle for foreign investors is the private limited company (Sdn Bhd), which allows full foreign ownership and limited liability. A Labuan company suits international business booked through the Labuan jurisdiction. Other structures include branches of a foreign company, representative offices, and limited liability partnerships.
Can foreigners own 100% of a company in Malaysia?
Yes, in most sectors a foreigner can own 100% of an Sdn Bhd. Some regulated industries, such as oil and gas, banking, education, and certain wholesale and retail trade, require local or Bumiputera equity or carry conditions. We confirm the position for your activity before you commit.
What legal documents are needed for company incorporation in Malaysia?
You provide passport copies and proof of address for each director and shareholder, the proposed company name and business activities, and the shareholding structure. We prepare the incorporation application, the constitution where one is needed, and the particulars of directors, shareholders, and the company secretary for filing with SSM.
How much capital is required for business incorporation in Malaysia?
The legal minimum is RM1, but in practice a foreign-owned company needs more to obtain licenses and expatriate visas: around RM500,000 for most sectors, and RM1 million for foreign-majority companies in services or retail. The right figure depends on your activity and whether you plan to hire foreign staff.
What are the key steps to register a business in Malaysia?
Reserve the company name and confirm the structure, file the incorporation application with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) through MyCoID, appoint a licensed company secretary within 30 days, open a corporate bank account, then register for tax with LHDN and secure any licenses your activity needs.
What industries in Malaysia have restrictions on foreign ownership?
Sectors such as oil and gas, banking and finance, education, agriculture, and parts of wholesale and retail trade can require Malaysian or Bumiputera equity, a local partner, or sector approvals. Most trading, consulting, technology, and services businesses allow full foreign ownership.
What are the main taxes businesses need to pay in Malaysia?
Corporate income tax is 24%. There is no GST; instead the Sales and Service Tax applies, with sales tax at 5% or 10% and service tax at 8% on covered services. Other taxes include withholding tax on certain payments to non-residents and a 10% capital gains tax on disposals of unlisted shares.
What permits and licenses are needed for business formation in Malaysia?
Beyond incorporation, most businesses need a business premises license and a signboard license from the local council, and many activities need a sector license, such as a wholesale and retail trade (WRT) license for foreign-owned trading, or NPRA, MDA, or FSQD approvals for regulated products. We identify and secure what your activity requires.
Ready to set up in Malaysia
Talk to the Emerhub team
Tell us what you are planning. Emerhub will confirm the right structure and capital, register the company with SSM, appoint the secretary, and handle the licensing, tax, and visas, so you can focus on the business.
Emailmalaysia@emerhub.com
Phone / WhatsApp+60 17 684 9718
OfficeC-18-6, KL Trillion
Kampung Datuk Keramat
50400 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kampung Datuk Keramat
50400 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
