How Indians are Starting a Business in Malaysia

January 24, 2023

Registrationwala

Preface: This post was originally published in 2022 and has been updated on September 22, 2025, to provide you with the most current and accurate information.

Malaysia is the Land of Malays and also the Land of Business Opportunities. But the business opportunities are not limited to only Malays. The Corporate Authority of the Malays allows Foreign Investors and Establishments to set up their own Company on its Island Nation. All they have to do is apply for the Company Registration procedure with the Malay Authority as per the prescribed incorporation regulations. In this article, we have detailed the required incorporation procedure as per the Malay regulations. Every aspect of the Business Registration procedure in Malaysia is detailed in this article.

General Procedure for Foreign Company Registration in Malaysia

Now, let us see each of the procedural steps one by one.

Choose a Company Name and Conduct a Name Search on it
Reserve the chosen trading name for the proposed Company
File the Company Incorporation Application with the Malay Authority
File the requisite Declarations for Company Formation in Malaysia
Examiner assesses the Application & Issues a Notice of Registration
Obtain the Certificate of Incorporation and other Business Licenses

Registration Procedure in Detail

Choose a Company Name & Conduct a Name Search on it

The registration applicant must conduct a dedicated Name Search to check the availability of their chosen name. Some of the guidelines for choosing a company name in Malaysia are mentioned in the following points:

A Company name must be unique. It must not be similar to a registered name
A Company name must comply with the Companies Act's nomenclature requirements
The registration applicant must not use any offensive term for trade naming itself
A Company name must not breach any Intellectual Property Rights in Malaysia
A Company name must be reserved with the IPR Authority
The applicant must timely submit the incorporation documents to the SSM
The applicant must also submit the documents within three months from the date of its name approval

File the Company Incorporation Application with the Malay Authority

The applicant must provide the incorporation details in the company registration application. He must also provide the details related to the following:

Appointed Directors of the Company
Subscribed Shareholders of the Company
Designated Members of the Company

In addition, the applicant must also detail the commercial activities to be carried out by the proposed Company, along with the official address.

File the requisite Declarations for Company Formation in Malaysia

The registration applicant must provide the requisite declarations to register a Business in Malaysia. The declaration must state the information provided by the Incorporation Application is true to the applicant's knowledge.

Examiner assesses the Application & Issues a Notice of Registration

After the application submission, the SSM will review the application for inconsistencies. If SSM encounters no problems by the SSM related to the application, it will send a registration notice to the applicant.

Obtain the Certificate of Incorporation and other Business Licenses

Suppose the applicant's filed application complies with the registration procedures and submission of the duly attested documents and the prescribed licensing fee. In that case, the SSM will issue the Certificate of Incorporation to the applicant company. After the Incorporation, the newly registered Company must obtain the licenses/permits from the relevant authorities before starting its business activities, as mentioned in its Memorandum of Association.

Conclusion

Setting up a business in Malaysia as an Indian entrepreneur might seem complicated at first, but it doesn’t have to be. If you follow the right steps—like choosing a good company name, submitting your incorporation documents, and getting the necessary licenses—you can get your business up and running without too much hassle. Malaysia is welcoming to foreign investors, and with its growing economy, it’s a great place to explore new opportunities.

Of course, having some guidance makes a big difference. The team at Registrationwala can help Indian investors through the entire registration process, making it simpler and faster so you can focus on starting and growing your business with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can Indians start a business in Malaysia?
A. Yes, Indians can register and run a company in Malaysia by following the local incorporation rules.

Q2: What is the first step to register a company in Malaysia?
A. The first step is to choose a unique company name and conduct a name search with the SSM.

Q3: How long does it take to register a company in Malaysia?
A. Typically, it takes a few weeks, depending on document submission and approval by the authorities.

Q4: What documents are needed for company registration?
A. You need identification documents of directors and shareholders, company address, business activities, and completed incorporation forms.

Q5: Do I need a license to start a business in Malaysia?
A. Yes, after incorporation, you must obtain the necessary licenses or permits depending on your business type.

Q6: Can I get help with company registration in Malaysia?
A. Yes, services like Registrationwala can guide you through the entire process to make it fast and hassle-free.