How to Obtain a Business License in Malaysia

All Malaysians must obtain a business license before starting a business. The type of business license you will need in Malaysia depends on the industry in which you are involved.

Although all Malaysian companies are registered through the Malaysian Companies Commission (SSM), connecting your business is not enough. You still need the licenses you need to work on. These include permissions, authorizations and registrations.

In general, business licenses in Malaysia are divided into three categories:

• General license
• Sector or sector-specific license
• Activity-specific license

Business license in Malaysia are governed by a government agency, local authority or statutory body. Again, the authority to issue the required license depends on the type of license you need. The compliance requirements you must meet before obtaining these licenses also depend on the industry, location of your business and the nature of your business.

General licenses in Malaysia

Once you have decided to include a company in Malaysia, it is for you the general licenses that you should consider further. Common Malaysian licenses applicable to any type of activity include:

• License for commercial premises
• License for signs
• Company registration license
• Registration of corporate income tax
• Employee income tax registration
• Provident Employee Fund
• Human resources development fund
• Social Security Agency

Specific licenses for industry and sectors in Malaysia

Not all Malaysian companies will need this type of license. As the name suggests, these licenses apply only to certain sectors specified by the Government of Malaysia.

The reason why there are sector and sector-specific licenses is because of the existence of major policies that help control the development of certain industries and sectors. These policies are in line with the country's development policies for the government.

Malaysia's sectorial and industrial licenses include the following industries:

• Production sector
• Wholesale, Retail (WRT License)
• Telecommunications sector
• Construction sector
• Banking sector (compulsory by law on banking and financial institutions)
• The audiovisual sector
• Oil exploration sector

For more information on purchasing a manufacturing license in Malaysia, visit Malaysia's Investment and Development Site (MIDA).

Visit the Negara Malaysia Bank website for more information on Malaysian central bank licenses.

For more information on buying a license in the construction sector, visit the CIDB website

Visit the website of the Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Affairs of Malaysia (MDTCA) for more information on acquiring a WRT license in Malaysia. The MDTCA is also known as Kamenarian Perdagangan Dalam Negri Dan Hal Ehwal Penguna (KPHDN).

License based on operations in Malaysia

You must apply for a specific business license if your business is in these sectors. To meet the requirements, you must follow specific guidelines to help protect the interests of Malaysian citizens, worker safety, employment, the environment and the interests of ordinary people.

Malaysian business licenses include:

• Sales tax license
• Fitness certificate for certified car
• Approval of the construction plan
• Expatriation authorization
• Approval of air pollution control equipment for any installation, modification or relocation

Documents required to obtain a business license in Malaysia

Although the requirements may vary slightly depending on the category of license you apply for, the documents you need to obtain a business license in Malaysia include:

• A copy of the ID/passport
• Photo with the size of the passport
• A copy of a lease/lease or a sale-purchase agreement
• Photos based on your business
• Location photos provided for your business index (applies for signature licenses). You will also need to provide samples indicating the color and design of the targeted call sign.
• Copy of the business fitness certificate
• Copy of firearms support letter

Other considerations when doing business in Malaysia

Of course, you must include a company in Malaysia before applying for any type of business in Malaysia. Especially since the license you need depends on the business idea, activities and industry you are involved with. Local and foreign companies will need to register through SSM.

Hiring a company secretary is an important part of incorporating your company into the Malaysian process. The Secretary will make sure that your Secretary document complies with local requirements. If you do not have a company secretary, you can choose our corporate secretarial services. After your application is successful, you will be issued a Certificate of Inclusion. You will then be asked to open a bank account for your business and only then will you continue to have all the license applications you need.

Do you need a business license application in Malaysia?

Although applying for a business license in Malaysia is not necessarily complicated, it is advisable to enlist the services of professional companies such as S & F Consulting Firm to assist you with this process. Especially if you are a foreigner who is not familiar with Malaysia's local laws and procedures. We have the experience and expertise to help you navigate this process and streamline the process of connecting companies and applying for a business license. For more information on business licenses and business registration in Malaysia, visit our website or visit us today for more information.

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Step 1- Listen to your business plan and relocation needs.

Step 2- Analyze tax planning in Malaysia

Step 3- Suggest the most suitable company affiliation, open bank account and work visa

Step 4- Provide visas for spouses and children

Step 5- Assist your organization in personally recruiting and managing all human resource issues

Step 6- At the end of each financial year, we assist you in your annual compliance with financial and financial SSM.

Steps 7- Helps you expand your business in Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand.