Yes. Under most business categories, foreigners can hold 100% equity in a Sdn Bhd. Certain regulated sectors (e.g., education, defense, media) may require a local equity partner. We'll confirm your eligibility during the initial consultation — it takes about 5 minutes to verify.

With all documents ready, we typically complete incorporation within 5–7 business days. This includes SSM name approval (1–2 days), document preparation and signing (2–3 days), and SSM registration (1–2 days). Delays usually only occur if the proposed company name is rejected or documents need revision.

The minimum paid-up capital for a Sdn Bhd is RM 1 (one Ringgit). However, for employment pass applications, Immigration typically requires a minimum paid-up capital of RM 500,000 for foreign-owned companies. For MIDA incentive applications, higher capital commitments may be required depending on the incentive category. We'll advise on the optimal capital structure based on your specific plans.

No. Our entire incorporation process is digital. You can sign all documents electronically from anywhere in the world. We handle the SSM submission, registered office setup, and all compliance filings remotely. The only time physical presence may be required is for bank account opening — though some banks now offer video verification for foreign directors.

No local shareholder is required — a Malaysian Sdn Bhd can be 100% foreign-owned. However, under the Companies Act 2016, you are statutorily required to have at least one director who ordinarily resides in Malaysia. This individual does not need to be a Malaysian citizen, but Malaysia must be their principal place of residence. You will also need a licensed Company Secretary who is a Malaysian resident. We provide both local resident director and company secretarial services to ensure full compliance for foreign founders.

An Employment Pass (EP) is for foreign nationals taking up full-time employment with a Malaysian-registered company. It is the standard work authorisation for expatriates relocating to Malaysia. A Professional Visit Pass (PVP) is for short-term engagements — typically visiting experts, technical trainers, or consultants who are not permanently based in Malaysia. The PVP does not require the same salary thresholds as an EP and is suited to temporary assignments.

Malaysia offers a broad range of incentives depending on your industry and investment profile. These include the Special Tax Rate (STR) and Investment Tax Allowance (ITA) for manufacturers under the New Incentive Framework (NIF), the Global Services Hub (GSH) scheme offering preferential corporate tax rates for qualifying service companies, Malaysia Digital Status for tech and digital businesses, and JS-SEZ incentives for operations within Johor's Special Economic Zone. Venture capital funds and their managers may also qualify for income tax exemptions under Securities Commission frameworks. Eligibility depends on your sector, investment size, and headcount commitments — we assess this as part of our advisory process.

Most Malaysian Sdn Bhd companies are required to have their accounts audited annually by a registered external auditor under the Companies Act 2016. However, exemptions exist for qualifying dormant companies, zero-revenue companies, and companies below certain revenue and asset thresholds under SSM Practice Directive 3/2017. We advise on whether your company qualifies for an exemption and coordinate the audit process where required.

Sales and Service Tax (SST) is Malaysia's indirect tax regime administered by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM). Businesses manufacturing taxable goods or providing taxable services with annual revenue exceeding RM 500,000 (or RM 1,500,000 for F&B operators) are generally required to register for SST. Registration thresholds and applicable categories vary by industry. We advise on your specific SST obligations and manage the registration and filing process on your behalf.

Once incorporated, a Malaysian Sdn Bhd has several ongoing statutory obligations. These include filing Annual Returns with SSM, maintaining statutory registers, preparing audited financial statements and circulating them to shareholders within 6 months of your financial year-end, filing corporate tax returns with the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), and submitting monthly payroll statutory contributions (EPF, SOCSO, EIS) if you have employees. We offer a comprehensive Company Secretarial Retainer that covers all of these obligations so nothing is missed.

Yes — this is one of our core strengths. Most foreign companies need both a legal entity and Employment Passes for their team, and the two processes are closely linked. Your company must be incorporated and registered as an employer before Employment Pass applications can be submitted. We manage both workstreams concurrently, coordinating the sequencing to minimise delays and ensure your team can be operational as quickly as possible.