- Remote setup
- Possible
- Visit, notary or lawyer
- Not required
- Local director
- Resident director
- Registered address
- Registered office
- Minimum capital
- Not stated
- Yearly upkeep
- Annual return + FS
- EU member
- No
- IWG business address
- 48 centresfrom $32/mo
What the registry requires
| Company type | Private company limited by shares (Sendirian Berhad) |
|---|---|
| Registry | Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) |
| Government filing fee | MYR 1,000 — RM1,000 incorporation fee for a company limited by shares, plus RM50 per name application; filed through MyCoID. |
| Registration time | SSM issues the notice of registration once the Registrar is satisfied the information is complete; no standard turnaround is published. Incorporation must be filed within 30 days of name approval. |
| Resident director | At least one director who ordinarily resides in Malaysia by having a principal place of residence in Malaysia (Companies Act 2016 s.196(4)); a foreigner may be the sole shareholder. |
| Visit, notary or lawyer | Incorporation is lodged online through the MyCoID 2016 portal 'super form'; no notary step is stated. |
| Registered address | A registered office address in Malaysia where records, notices and communications are kept is required. |
| Minimum capital | Not stated |
| Corporate tax | YA 2023–2024: 24%; companies with paid-up capital not more than RM2.5 million and gross business income not more than RM50 million pay 15% on the first RM150,000 and 17% on RM150,001–600,000. |
| Every year | Annual return within 30 days of the incorporation anniversary; financial statements lodged within 30 days of circulation; a licensed company secretary must be appointed within 30 days of incorporation. |
What it costs
- Government filing fee
- MYR 1,000
- ≈ $245 at ECB rates
RM1,000 incorporation fee for a company limited by shares, plus RM50 per name application; filed through MyCoID.
- Every year
- Annual return + FS
Annual return within 30 days of the incorporation anniversary; financial statements lodged within 30 days of circulation; a licensed company secretary must be appointed within 30 days of incorporation.
- Not included
- Provider fees
Registered agent or address, notary fees, accounting and bank onboarding vary by provider — ask for a quote in the request form.
How to register a company in Malaysia, step by step
- Register a MyCoID user account with SSM.
- Apply for and reserve the company name (RM50 per name).
- Complete the super form with directors, members, secretary and registered office details.
- Ensure at least one director has a principal place of residence in Malaysia.
- Pay the RM1,000 incorporation fee and receive the notice of registration.
- Appoint a licensed company secretary within 30 days and obtain any sector licences.
Corporate tax in Malaysia
24% (SME 15–17%). YA 2023–2024: 24%; companies with paid-up capital not more than RM2.5 million and gross business income not more than RM50 million pay 15% on the first RM150,000 and 17% on RM150,001–600,000.
Rates are the headline figures published by the tax authority; your effective rate depends on residence, activity and treaties. This is not tax advice.
Common mistakes
- Incorporating without a director who ordinarily resides in Malaysia.
- Letting the 30-day name reservation lapse before filing the incorporation.
- Missing the 30-day deadline to appoint a licensed company secretary or the annual return deadline.
Compare Malaysia with alternatives
| Yearly upkeep | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 ThailandCo., Ltd. | THB 5,500≈ $165 | Same day possible | 20% CIT | No | ID check or proxy | Thai office | AGM + audited FS |
 Hong KongLimited company | HK$1,545≈ $197 | About 1 hour online | 8.25% / 16.5% | No | Not required | HK address | BR fee HK$2,200 |
 MalaysiaSdn Bhd | MYR 1,000≈ $245 | Not stated | 24% (SME 15–17%) | Resident director | Not required | Registered office | Annual return + FS |
 SingaporePte Ltd | SGD 315≈ $247 | Usually same day | 17% | Yes | Not required | Public SG address | Annual return S$60 |
4 of 4 · official sources, checked September 27, 2026. Government fees only; agent and address costs are extra.≈ USD at ECB reference rates of September 25, 2026.
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Sources
- Incorporation fee RM1,000, name fee RM50, at least one director ordinarily resident in Malaysia, secretary within 30 days — ssm.com.my, checked September 27, 2026
- Foreigner may be sole shareholder; resident-director rule s.196(4); MyCoID super form — ssm.com.my, checked September 27, 2026
- Annual return within 30 days of anniversary; FS lodgement; one local resident director — ssm.com.my, checked September 27, 2026
- Company tax rate 24%; SME 15%/17% bands — hasil.gov.my, checked September 27, 2026