Open a Sdn Bhd = Auto Visa?
Many foreign investors choose Malaysia as their top destination to start a business. The most popular business entity here is the Sdn Bhd (Private Limited Company).
However, many foreigners make one big mistake when planning their business setup.
They often ask: “If I open a Sdn Bhd company, do I automatically get a working visa?”
The short answer is: No. Opening a company does not mean you automatically get a visa. Here is the truth about business visas in Malaysia and how you can actually get one.
The Big Misconception
Many people think that once the Registrar of Companies (SSM) approves their company registration, the Immigration Department will immediately give them an Employment Pass. This is incorrect.
Registering a company is only the very first step. To get a visa, your company must be fully operational and active.
The Faster Alternative: Investment Visas
If your main goal is to get a residency visa fast without running a fully active business immediately, you should look at investment programs.
Programs like the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Platinum tier or the Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) allow you to get a long-term visa first through investment. As an authorized MM2H agent, we highly recommend these routes for investors who want a direct and faster approval process.
4 Steps to Get a Visa Through a Sdn Bhd
If you want to apply for an Employment Pass under your new Sdn Bhd, you cannot just register the company and wait. You must prove to the government that your business is real and ready to operate.
You must complete these 4 important steps before you can apply for the visa:
1. Open a Corporate Bank Account You must successfully open a bank account in Malaysia under your company’s name. However, this is a very big challenge for foreigners. In fact, many foreigners cannot even get a bank account because local banks usually ask for a working visa first! This creates a confusing situation, which is why you need a professional to guide you.
2. Inject Paid-Up Capital You need to put money into that company bank account. For a foreign-owned company, the government usually requires a high paid-up capital. Depending on your industry, this is typically between RM500,000 to RM1 Million.
3. Get the Right Business Licenses Depending on what your business does, you may need specific licenses. For example, if you are in trading, retail, or restaurants, you will need a Wholesale, Retail and Trade (WRT) license.
4. Rent a Physical Office (Premise License) You cannot use a virtual office to apply for a visa. You must rent a real, physical office space and apply for a premise and signboard license from the local city council.
Conclusion
Only after you finish all these four steps, you are eligible to apply for the Employment Pass. The visa application is a completely separate process from the company registration.
How Malaya Corporate Group Can Help
Setting up a business as a foreigner can be complicated, but you do not have to do it alone. At Malaya Corporate Group, we help foreign investors with A-to-Z solutions—from registering your Sdn Bhd and ensuring SSM and LHDN compliance, to managing your business licenses and visa applications.
We also have an updated Customer Portal where our clients can easily track their tasks and view invoices online.
Ready to start your business journey safely in Malaysia? If you need advice on how to handle these challenges, you can contact us today
