Form a Company in Malaysia
Set up a Malaysian Sdn Bhd or a Labuan international company as a resident or non-resident. We explain the process and connect you with a Malaysia provider for registration, licensing and ongoing compliance. Remote formation is often possible, subject to acceptance.
ASEAN Business Hub
Malaysia is a well-connected base within ASEAN, offering access to a large regional market and strong trade links across Asia.
Established Legal System
A common-law framework with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) for domestic companies and a distinct Labuan regime for international business.
Company Formation Support
Get guidance on the company formation process, required documents and next steps for setting up your business in this jurisdiction.
Two Regimes
A Sdn Bhd suits onshore Malaysian business, while a Labuan company offers a midshore regime for international activity. The right choice depends on your plans.
Why Form a Company in Malaysia?
Malaysia is a well-established base for business in Asia. The points below are general commercial considerations, not guarantees, and your own circumstances should be reviewed with a qualified adviser.
Access to ASEAN
A Malaysian company operates from within ASEAN, with access to a large regional market and extensive trade relationships across Asia and beyond.
Two Complementary Regimes
A private limited company (Sdn Bhd) suits onshore business, while a Labuan international company offers a midshore regime often used for regional holding and trading. The structure can be matched to the activity.
Competitive Costs & Talent
A skilled, multilingual workforce and competitive operating costs support a wide range of activities, from services to technology.
Developed Infrastructure
Strong transport, digital and financial infrastructure, with Kuala Lumpur as a major regional business centre.
Treaty Network
Malaysia has a broad double-tax treaty network that may reduce withholding taxes in cross-border situations. Eligibility should be confirmed case by case.
Foreign Ownership
Many sectors allow full foreign ownership of a Sdn Bhd, and Labuan companies are commonly foreign-owned, though some regulated sectors have conditions.
Formation Packages
Choose the structure that fits your business. Every engagement is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need.
- Sdn Bhd incorporation & name search with SSM
- Constitution, where adopted, and statutory registers
- Company secretary support
- Assistance with tax registration, where applicable.
- Corporate document set
- Labuan company formation & licensing support
- Registered office & agent in Labuan
- Substance & compliance guidance
- Bank account introduction
- Accounting & annual filing support
- Holding company + operating company
- Review of onshore vs Labuan considerations
- Registered office for the entities
- Accounting for the structure
- Coordination with your adviser
Government, registry, licensing, certification, translation and third-party costs are quoted separately where applicable. Figures are confirmed in writing before you commit.
Malaysia Formation Services
Everything you need to form, register and run a Malaysian company, handled with an in-country service provider.
Company Formation
Full incorporation of a Sdn Bhd with SSM, or a Labuan company under the Labuan regime: name search, registration and (where adopted) a constitution, with the corporate document set. A constitution is normally optional for a company limited by shares.
Company Secretary & Office
A Sdn Bhd must appoint a qualified company secretary, normally within 30 days after incorporation, and maintain a registered office in Malaysia. A Labuan company uses a licensed Labuan trust company and registered office.
Directors & Shareholders
Foreign individuals and corporate shareholders can generally own a Malaysian company. A Sdn Bhd generally requires at least one director resident in Malaysia; requirements should be confirmed.
Banking
Introductions to Malaysian and Labuan banks. Account approval always rests with the bank after its own KYC and due-diligence process.
Accounting & Compliance
Bookkeeping, annual accounts, audit where required (subject to any audit exemption), tax returns and annual filings, kept on schedule against Malaysian and Labuan deadlines.
Tax & Structuring Guidance
A general overview of onshore and Labuan tax treatment and the treaty network, so the structure fits your plans.
How to Form a Malaysian Company
- 1
Tell Us Your Plans
Send your details through the quote form. We explain the Sdn Bhd and Labuan options and, where appropriate, connect you with a Malaysia service provider.
- 2
KYC & Documents
The provider verifies identity and collects the usual documents: passport and proof of address for individuals, and incorporation documents for corporate shareholders.
- 3
Registration & Licensing
A Sdn Bhd is incorporated with SSM, or a Labuan company is formed through a licensed Labuan trust company, with a company secretary or registered agent in place.
- 4
Tax, Banking & Compliance
Applicable tax registrations are coordinated, and assistance may be provided with opening a corporate account.
What You Receive
- Notice / certificate of incorporation
- Constitution, where adopted, and statutory registers
- SSM or Labuan registration
- Company secretary or registered agent
- Corporate document set
Timelines depend on KYC, registration, licensing and bank onboarding. We confirm expected turnaround with your quote.
Malaysia Tax & Annual Compliance: General Overview
A plain-language summary of the main Malaysian tax and filing points for a company in 2026. This is general information to help you plan, not tax or legal advice. Your Malaysia provider or adviser confirms what applies to your situation.
Corporate Income Tax (Sdn Bhd)
A resident Sdn Bhd is generally taxed at 24%, with a reduced rate on an initial band of chargeable income for qualifying small and medium companies, subject to conditions. Current figures should be confirmed.
Labuan Tax Regime
A Labuan company carrying on qualifying Labuan trading activities may be taxed at 3% of audited net profits, and qualifying non-trading activities may be taxed at 0%, subject to applicable substance and tax requirements. The treatment depends on the activity and compliance and is not guaranteed.
SST / Indirect Tax
Malaysia operates Sales and Service Tax (SST). Registration and charging obligations depend on the activity, turnover and applicable thresholds.
Withholding & Treaties
Malaysia levies withholding tax on certain payments to non-residents, though treaty relief may apply. Eligibility should be confirmed for the specific payment and treaty.
Annual Filing & Audit
A Sdn Bhd must prepare financial statements and file an annual return with SSM, and file tax returns with the tax authority. An audit may not be required if the company qualifies for an audit exemption. Labuan companies have their own filing and, in many cases, audit requirements.
Substance (Labuan)
Labuan companies are expected to meet substance requirements, such as adequate local employees and expenditure, depending on the activity and category.
Malaysia Company Formation FAQ
Common questions about forming a company in Malaysia. General information only, not legal or tax advice.
A Sdn Bhd is an onshore Malaysian private limited company registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), suited to domestic business. A Labuan company is formed under the separate Labuan regime, regulated by the Labuan Financial Services Authority (Labuan FSA), and is commonly used for international holding and trading, subject to substance requirements.
Yes. Foreigners can generally own a Sdn Bhd, and Labuan companies are commonly foreign-owned, subject to the provider's KYC checks and any sector-specific conditions.
A Sdn Bhd generally requires at least one director who ordinarily resides in Malaysia. A Labuan company has its own requirements. These should be confirmed for your situation, and a provider may be able to assist.
Often, yes. Much of the process can be handled remotely once identity checks and documents are in order, though some steps depend on the provider and structure.
A resident Sdn Bhd is generally taxed at 24% (with a reduced rate on an initial band for qualifying SMEs). Qualifying Labuan trading activities may be taxed at 3% of audited net profits and qualifying non-trading activities at 0%, subject to substance and tax requirements. SST may apply. This is general information, not tax advice.
Yes. A Sdn Bhd must appoint a qualified company secretary, normally within 30 days after incorporation, and maintain a registered office in Malaysia. This can be arranged through a provider.
A corporate account is normal in practice. Account opening is a separate process with its own checks and bank acceptance, and can take longer for non-residents.
Labuan companies are generally expected to meet substance requirements, such as adequate local employees and annual operating expenditure, depending on the activity category. Requirements should be confirmed.
No. Banking, insurance, capital-markets, fund and similar activities require separate licensing from the relevant Malaysian or Labuan regulator. Incorporation alone does not authorise regulated business.
Yes. Both Sdn Bhd and Labuan companies can be used for holding, with different tax and substance implications. The right structure should be reviewed for your plans.
For individuals, generally a passport, proof of address, business-activity and source-of-funds information and tax-residency details. For corporate shareholders, incorporation and constitutional documents, registers, an ownership chart and beneficial-ownership information.
Still Have Questions?
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Send us your details and we will explain the Sdn Bhd and Labuan options and connect you with a Malaysia provider.
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