SSM charges a flat RM1,000 statutory fee to incorporate a company limited by shares, and provider service fees typically add about RM1,000 to RM5,000 on top of that statutory fee. With that much variation, finding the best company incorporation service in Malaysia is really a question of value, not price. The right provider saves you weeks of admin; the wrong one leaves you chasing compliance deadlines.
In practice, most founders who approach us ask the same three questions. Can I register the Sdn Bhd myself? What exactly am I paying a provider for? And what happens after the registration notice arrives?
The answers matter because incorporation is only step one. A company secretary must be appointed within 30 days, an annual return must be lodged with SSM each year, and financial statements must be filed on time. Miss these and penalties follow quickly. You can see the full schedule of these filings, with due dates and penalty amounts, on our blog.
In this blog, we discuss what a company incorporation service in Malaysia actually covers and how to compare providers. We also cover SSM's official 2026 fees and what foreign investors should check before signing up. For foreign owned e commerce, that check should include when Malaysia requires KPDN approval before you start selling online. We also share how we at Setup Company Malaysia help clients move from enquiry to a registered company with minimal friction.
Table of Contents
What Should a Good Company Incorporation Service in Malaysia Include?
A proper provider does far more than submit a form. It should carry your company from name approval to your first compliance deadline.
A complete service covers both the registration itself and the essentials that follow it. Anything less leaves you to close the gaps on your own, usually at the worst possible moment.
If you are still exploring structures, see our overview of how to set up a company in Malaysia. It explains sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLPs and Sdn Bhd companies before you commit to a package.
1. Name search and reservation with SSM
Your provider checks whether your preferred name clashes with existing companies and reserves it. SSM charges RM50 for every thirty days of reservation, up to a maximum of 180 days. A good firm flags names likely to be rejected before you pay.
2. Preparation of incorporation documents
The provider compiles the required particulars: proposed name, private or public status, business type, registered office address, and full details of every director and promoter. Because the business type you declare maps to an MSIC code, it pays to learn how to choose the right MSIC code in Malaysia before you file. Under the Companies Act 2016, each director must give written consent, and each director and promoter must make the prescribed declaration that they are not disqualified.
3. Submission through SSM's online system
The application is filed online, either as a direct incorporation that combines name reservation with the application, or after a separate reservation. SSM issues a registration notice rather than an automatic certificate; a certificate of incorporation is only issued later on application with a further prescribed fee.
4. Post-registration essentials
Within 30 days of incorporation, a company secretary must be appointed. A capable provider arranges this promptly, then helps open the corporate bank account and confirm the company tax file with LHDN, which is registered automatically for companies incorporated online through MyCoID.
5. Ongoing compliance support
Annual returns, financial statement lodgements and the secretary's statutory duties continue for the life of the company. The best firms price these transparently from day one instead of surprising you at renewal.
How Do You Compare Providers Before You Commit?
Judge candidates on five practical criteria rather than the lowest headline price. Each one protects you from the frustrations we most often help clients untangle.
Cheap packages usually exclude statutory fees, the company secretary retainer or the registered address, and those add up fast. Equally, an expensive quote is not automatically a thorough one. Work through the checklist below and you will separate genuine value from marketing.
If you are weighing two quotes, speak to us before you commit; a short call usually surfaces the differences that matter.
1. Transparent, all-in pricing
Ask exactly what the quoted fee covers: SSM's RM1,000, name reservation, first-year secretary fees and registered address. Get the answer in writing.
2. A qualified company secretary on the team
Under the Companies Act 2016, a company secretary must be a natural person aged at least 18. They must be a Malaysian citizen or permanent resident. They must be licensed by SSM or belong to a Fourth Schedule body. They also need an SSM practising certificate. A firm with in-house secretaries responds faster and takes responsibility for statutory deadlines.
3. Real experience with foreign owners
Foreign-owned Sdn Bhds face extra scrutiny when opening bank accounts. Providers who handle these weekly know which documents each bank asks for and prepare them in advance.
4. A clear scope and timeline
Reputable firms state in writing what they deliver and by when. Straightforward applications are usually registered within a few working days once the name is approved and particulars are complete.
5. Realistic promises
No provider can guarantee a bank account or a licence issued by a regulator. Treat any such promise as a warning sign rather than a selling point.
What Are SSM's Official Rules and Fees in 2026?
The Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) administers incorporation under the Companies Act 2016, and its fee schedule applies equally to every applicant.
A private company needs at least one director who ordinarily resides in Malaysia and one promoter, while a public company needs two resident directors. A constitution is optional for a company limited by shares.
The official route works like this:
- Reserve or verify the proposed company name with SSM.
- Submit the incorporation application online with the company's details, business type and registered office address.
- Include written consent from every director and the prescribed declarations from each director and promoter confirming that they are not disqualified under the Act.
- Pay the RM1,000 registration fee for a company limited by shares.
- Receive the notice of registration with your company registration number, then appoint a company secretary within 30 days.
SSM's official starting-company guidance explains these steps in full, and SSM's table of fees sets out the main statutory charges, summarised below. These figures applied as published in 2026; confirm them before you file, as fee schedules can be revised.
SSM Official Company Fees (2026)
| Matter | Official fee (RM) |
|---|---|
| Incorporation — company limited by shares | 1,000 |
| Incorporation — company limited by guarantee | 3,000 |
| Name reservation | 50 per 30 days (max 180 days) |
| Change of company name | 100 |
| Annual return — private company | 150 |
| Annual return — public company | 500 |
| Lodgement of audited financial statements (private) | 50 |
| Application to strike off the company | 100 |
How Much Should You Pay an Incorporation Provider in 2026?
There is no fixed market rate, and SSM's own fees stay the same whichever option you choose. What varies is the service layer on top.
Use realistic ranges to spot both overpricing and false economies. The cheapest option only works if you already understand the Companies Act 2016 and have time to manage compliance yourself.
Whichever route you pick, ask what renews annually. An attractive first-year package can become expensive if the secretary retainer, annual return filing and registered address are billed separately from year two.
Comparing Your Incorporation Options in Malaysia
| Engagement option | Typical all-in cost | Best suited for | You handle yourself |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct application through SSM's online services | SSM fees only (from RM1,000) | Confident local founders familiar with the Act | Documents, secretary, bank account and all compliance |
| Basic online incorporation package | About RM1,500 to RM3,000 | A straightforward local Sdn Bhd with resident directors | Bank account opening; TIN automatic |
| Full-service incorporation firm | RM3,000 and above | Foreign owners and regulated or multi-shareholder companies | Very little; the firm runs the compliance calendar |
What If You Are a Foreign Investor Registering from Abroad?
Foreigners can generally own 100% of a local Sdn Bhd, although certain sectors impose equity conditions, so confirm the rules for your industry first.
The structural constraint is that at least one director must ordinarily reside in Malaysia, with a principal place of residence here. Providers that work with foreign owners regularly can advise on meeting this requirement and prepare the documents banks expect from overseas shareholders.
A new local Sdn Bhd and a registered branch of an existing overseas company have different fee scales. Compare them below. For most investors, a local Sdn Bhd at RM1,000 is the cheaper route. Our guide to setting up a company in Malaysia for foreigners walks through visas, bank accounts and sector rules in detail.
SSM Fees for Registering a Foreign Company (2026)
| Share capital of the foreign company | Registration fee (RM) |
|---|---|
| Not more than RM1,000,000 | 5,000 |
| More than RM1,000,000 up to RM10,000,000 | 20,000 |
| More than RM10,000,000 up to RM50,000,000 | 40,000 |
| More than RM50,000,000 up to RM100,000,000 | 60,000 |
| More than RM100,000,000, or without share capital | 70,000 |
Conclusion
We help first-time founders and foreign investors incorporate Sdn Bhd companies with SSM. Our service covers name reservation, document preparation, company secretary appointment and LHDN tax-file confirmation. If you already have quotes from other providers, we are happy to review them and point out what is missing.
Once your company is registered, we stay on as your compliance partner, tracking annual return and financial statement deadlines so nothing slips through. Tell us about your plans and we will recommend the structure and service level that fits, with clear pricing from day one.
Get Help Choosing Your Incorporation Partner
Share your business plans with our team and we will recommend the right structure, explain the fees, and handle the registration from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can file the application yourself through SSM's online services and pay the RM1,000 statutory fee for a company limited by shares. You must still appoint a company secretary qualified under the Companies Act within 30 days of incorporation.
Once the name is approved and all particulars are complete, a straightforward application is usually registered within a few working days. Delays typically come from incomplete declarations or a rejected name, not from SSM itself.
Sometimes. Some quotes bundle the statutory fee and first-year secretary costs; others exclude them. Always ask for a written breakdown before paying a deposit.
Generally yes, a foreigner can fully own a local Sdn Bhd. Certain sectors impose equity conditions, so check your industry's rules or speak to us before incorporating.
Appoint a company secretary within 30 days and open a corporate bank account. For companies incorporated online through MyCoID, the tax file is registered automatically. Confirm it with LHDN. Each year you must lodge an annual return (RM150 for a private company) and file financial statements with SSM.
Setup Company Malaysia
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Setup Company Malaysia explains how to start and register a business in Malaysia and helps founders and foreign investors with company incorporation and business advisory.
