How Foreigners Can Register a Company in Malaysia – A Practical 2025 Guide

Admin
3 days ago
3 min read

Malaysia has become one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic business hubs — attracting foreign investors, digital entrepreneurs, and professionals looking to expand into a fast-growing, multilingual market.

If you’re a foreigner planning to start a business here, this guide from Ashton Corporate will help you understand the process, requirements, and benefits of registering a company in Malaysia

Why Malaysia?

Malaysia’s economy continues to shine in 2025, supported by strong infrastructure, political stability, and strategic access to ASEAN markets. Foreign entrepreneurs choose Malaysia for its:

Business-friendly policies
Skilled English-speaking workforce
Low start-up costs
Excellent connectivity (digital and logistics)

At Ashton Corporate, we’ve helped foreign founders from Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond set up their companies smoothly and stay compliant with the Companies Act 2016.

What Type of Company Can a Foreigner Register?

The most common structure for foreigners is a Private Limited Company (Sdn Bhd).

A Sdn Bhd offers credibility, limited liability protection, and the ability to operate as a local entity. In many sectors, foreigners can own 100 percent of the shares, though certain industries such as oil and gas, education, or agriculture may require partial local ownership or additional licenses.

Requirements for Foreigners to Register a Company in Malaysia

To register a Sdn Bhd in Malaysia, you’ll need the following:

At least one local director
- Must be a Malaysian citizen or Permanent Resident residing in Malaysia.
- You can still hold 100 percent ownership as a foreigner if the sector allows.
At least one shareholder
- Can be an individual or a corporate entity (local or foreign).
A licensed Company Secretary
- Must be appointed within 30 days of incorporation.
- Ashton Corporate provides full licensed CoSec services to manage this requirement for you.
A registered Malaysian business address
- We can help you set up a registered office address for official correspondence.
Minimum paid-up capital
- Typically RM1,000, but certain industries or visa applications may require higher capital.

Step-by-Step: How to Register a Company in Malaysia (2025)

Here’s what the process looks like with Ashton Corporate guiding you every step of the way:

1. Name Search and Reservation

We’ll check and reserve your company name with SSM (Companies Commission of Malaysia).

2. Prepare Incorporation Documents

Our team drafts your Constitution, director and shareholder details, and statutory forms.

3. SSM Submission and Approval

Once submitted, SSM usually approves the incorporation within one to three working days.

4. Certificate of Incorporation

After approval, you’ll receive your official Section 17 Incorporation Certificate — your company is now legally registered.

5. Post-Incorporation Setup

We’ll help you with:

Company bank account opening
Company tax file registration with LHDN
Ongoing company secretarial compliance

Benefits of Registering with Ashton Corporate

When you partner with Ashton Corporate, you don’t just get paperwork done — you gain a reliable local partner who understands your journey as a foreign entrepreneur.