guide for foreigners
Other than the key facts to know before setting-up a private limited company in Malaysia, we have listed out below additional information that a foreigner should know if they wish to set-up a company in Malaysia:-
DIRECTORS
To set-up a private limited company, at least 1 resident director is required.
Resident is defined as any person above 18 years old, who has principal place of residence within Malaysia.
Usually, foreigners who set-up private companies in Malaysia, go through either one of the following routes:-
APPLICATION OF EXPATRIATE WORK PERMIT
This is usually the route taken by owners who wish to be present in Malaysia personally to oversee its company's interests and investments, or companies who wish to transfer its personnel to Malaysia to carry out the company's policies and also to supervise the local staff.
The minimum capital requirement to apply for work permit is as follows:-
The minimum salary of the expatriate should be at least RM5,000 per month. For expatriate with salary of RM8,000 and above, automatic will be given upon submission of complete documents.
Having said the above, there are some positions that are not eligible for expatriate status (most regulated by the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia). For detailed listing of the positions, please refer to here.
DIRECTORS
To set-up a private limited company, at least 1 resident director is required.
Resident is defined as any person above 18 years old, who has principal place of residence within Malaysia.
Usually, foreigners who set-up private companies in Malaysia, go through either one of the following routes:-
- Nominee Directors - These are professional directors who act as your resident director at a fee;
- Application of Expatriate Work Permit
APPLICATION OF EXPATRIATE WORK PERMIT
This is usually the route taken by owners who wish to be present in Malaysia personally to oversee its company's interests and investments, or companies who wish to transfer its personnel to Malaysia to carry out the company's policies and also to supervise the local staff.
The minimum capital requirement to apply for work permit is as follows:-
- Locally owned companies - RM250,000 (this is for local companies who wish to hire expatriate)
- Jointly owned by Foreigner and Local - RM350,000
- 100% owned by Foreigner - RM500,000
The minimum salary of the expatriate should be at least RM5,000 per month. For expatriate with salary of RM8,000 and above, automatic will be given upon submission of complete documents.
Having said the above, there are some positions that are not eligible for expatriate status (most regulated by the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia). For detailed listing of the positions, please refer to here.
MALAYSIAN INVESTMENT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (MIDA)
On case to case basis, depending on the sector of business, MIDA provides incentives and expatriate posts to companies.
Incentives provided by MIDA are as follows:-
Activities promoted by MIDA are such as:-
Incentives provided by MIDA are as follows:-
- Pioneer Status - partial/ full exemption of the statutory income for a period up to 10 years; or
- Investment Tax Allowance - partial/ full exemption on the qualifying capital expenditure incurred within 5 years from the date the capital expenditure is incurred.
Activities promoted by MIDA are such as:-
- High Technology Companies;
- Biotechnology Industry;
- Production of Selected Machinery and Equipment;
- Research & Development; and
- many more.
corporate tax rate
Malaysia's corporate tax rate is as follows:-
Companies with paid-up capital of not more than RM2.5 million
On first RM500,000 - 18%
Subsequent Balance - 24%
Companies with paid-up capital of more than RM2.5 million
- 24%
Companies with paid-up capital of not more than RM2.5 million
On first RM500,000 - 18%
Subsequent Balance - 24%
Companies with paid-up capital of more than RM2.5 million
- 24%