Visiting Johor for meetings is easy. Working or running a company there needs more paperwork. Here is what a Singapore passport holder should know, and how it differs for other nationalities.
1. Short business visits
- Singapore citizens do not need a visa to enter Malaysia for up to 30 days per visit, including for business meetings and exploring opportunities.
- Singapore passport holders are currently exempt from the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC). Singapore's foreign ministry notes that those who want to enrol fingerprints for e-gate clearance should submit the MDAC three days before arrival.
- Visa-free entry is for non-working activity. Being employed or paid from a Malaysian source needs the proper work pass.
- Carry a letter or invitation that states the purpose of your visit, in case an officer asks.
Not a Singapore citizen? Singapore PR, work pass and student pass holders are not automatically exempt from the MDAC, and your visa needs depend on your passport. Check the rules for your nationality before you travel.
2. Setting up a company (Sdn Bhd)
- Foreigners can usually own 100% of a private limited company (Sdn Bhd) in most sectors.
- You need at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Malaysia (a Malaysian citizen, a permanent resident, or a foreigner on a valid long-term pass), a company secretary and a registered Malaysian address.
- Registration is filed with the Companies Commission (SSM) online, usually through a company secretary or corporate services provider. Allow time to open a corporate bank account, often several weeks.
- Documents usually include passport copies, proof of address, and identity checks (KYC) for directors and shareholders.
3. Paid-up capital: the number that surprises people
- The legal minimum is as low as RM1.
- But to sponsor an Employment Pass for a foreign director, immigration usually expects much more. Sources commonly quote about RM500,000 for a 100% foreign-owned services company, and RM1,000,000 for foreign-owned trading, retail and F&B businesses that need a trading licence. Figures vary by sector and ownership, so confirm with the Expatriate Services Division or MIDA.
4. Living and working there
- To live and work in Malaysia you need an Employment Pass (or another long-term pass), sponsored by your Malaysian company. Visitors cannot convert a visit into a work permit on their own.
- Owning a property does not give you residency. See buying property as a foreigner.
- If you choose to live in JB but work in Singapore, you are a commuter, not a Malaysian worker. Read the commute guide.
Checklist
- Passport valid for the trip, plus a letter of purpose for business visits.
- Decide the structure: Sdn Bhd, branch or partner. Ask an accountant about tax.
- Find a resident director and a company secretary.
- Check licences and paid-up capital for your sector.
- Open the bank account and plan your Employment Pass timeline.
- Choose where staff and you will live, and how you will commute.
Rules change, so check with Malaysian immigration, SSM and MIDA, and use a licensed company secretary.
到新山开会很容易。但在那里工作或经营公司需要更多文件。下面是新加坡护照持有人要知道的事，以及其他国籍的差别。
1. 短期商务访问
- 新加坡公民进入马来西亚不需要签证，每次最长 30 天，包括商务会议和考察机会。
- 新加坡护照持有人目前免填马来西亚数码入境卡（MDAC）。新加坡外交部提醒，想登记指纹以使用自动通关闸门的人，应该在入境前三天提交 MDAC。
- 免签入境只适用于不工作的活动。在马来西亚受雇或从马来西亚收取报酬，需要正确的工作准证。
- 随身带一封说明访问目的的信或邀请函，以防官员询问。
不是新加坡公民？新加坡永久居民、工作准证和学生准证持有人不会自动豁免 MDAC，而签证要求取决于你的护照。出发前请查你国籍的规定。
2. 注册公司（Sdn Bhd）
- 外国人在大多数行业，通常可以持有私人有限公司（Sdn Bhd）100% 的股权。
- 至少需要一名常驻马来西亚的董事（马来西亚公民、永久居民，或持有效长期准证的外国人）、一名公司秘书和一个马来西亚注册地址。
- 向公司委员会（SSM）在线注册，通常通过公司秘书或企业服务公司办理。开公司银行账户也要预留时间，常常要几个星期。
- 文件通常包括护照副本、地址证明，以及董事和股东的身份审查（KYC）。
3. 实缴资本：最让人意外的数字
- 法律上的最低额低至 RM1。
- 但要为外籍董事申请就业准证（Employment Pass），移民局通常期望高得多。常见说法是：100% 外资的服务业公司约 RM50 万，需要贸易牌照的外资贸易、零售和餐饮业约 RM100 万。数字因行业和股权结构而异，请向外籍专才服务司（ESD）或 MIDA 确认。
4. 在那里生活和工作
- 要在马来西亚生活和工作，需要由你的马来西亚公司担保的就业准证（或其他长期准证）。访客不能自行把访问转成工作准证。
- 拥有房产不会让你获得居留权。见外国人买房。
- 如果你住新山、在新加坡工作，你是通勤者，不是马来西亚的工作者。看通勤指南。
清单
- 护照在行程期间有效，商务访问带上说明目的的信。
- 决定架构：Sdn Bhd、分公司或合作伙伴。向会计师询问税务。
- 找常驻董事和公司秘书。
- 查你所在行业的牌照和实缴资本。
- 开银行账户，并规划就业准证的时间表。
- 决定你和员工住哪里，以及怎么通勤。
规定会变，请向马来西亚移民局、SSM 和 MIDA 确认，并使用有执照的公司秘书。