License Finder

Mandatory for firms providing architectural services in Malaysia.

Issuing Authority: Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM)

Fees: RM500 - RM2,000 depending on firm type

Timeline: 1 month

Renewal: Annually

Mandatory for individuals and firms providing professional architectural services.

Issuing Authority: Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM)

Fees: Annual registration fee applies.

Timeline: 1 to 2 months

Renewal: Annually

Mandatory registration for individuals or firms providing architectural services in Malaysia.

Issuing Authority: Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM)

Fees: Varies for individuals versus body corporate entities.

Timeline: 1 to 2 months

Renewal: Annual

Mandatory registration for firms providing architectural services; foreign firms must operate as affiliates of Malaysian companies.

Issuing Authority: Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM)

Fees: Varies based on firm size and type.

Timeline: 1 to 3 months

Renewal: Annual

Mandatory registration permitting a professional firm, partnership, or body corporate to offer architectural consultancy services under the Architects Act 1967.

Issuing Authority: Board of Architects Malaysia (Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia - LAM)

Fees: RM300 to RM1,000 depending on entity size and structure type.

Timeline: 4 to 6 weeks

Renewal: Annually (1 year)

Mandatory practicing license required for any corporate entity, sole proprietorship, or partnership intending to practice as an Engineering Consultancy Practice (ECP) in Malaysia.

Issuing Authority: Board of Engineers Malaysia (Lembaga Jurutera Malaysia - BEM)

Fees: RM 500 to RM 2,000 application and registration fee depending on entity structure (sole proprietorship vs. multi-disciplinary corporation).

Timeline: 1 to 2 months.

Renewal: Annually (every 1 year).

A mandatory license for any business operating from a physical premise in Malaysia.

Issuing Authority: Local City Council / State Authority

Fees: Varies by local authority

Timeline: Varies by local authority

Renewal: Annually

A mandatory license for any business operating from a physical location in Malaysia, ensuring the premise complies with local zoning and safety regulations.

Issuing Authority: Local Council (Pihak Berkuasa Melesen - PBM)

Fees: Varies by local council and premise size; typically ranges from RM 100 to RM 2,000 per year.

Timeline: 1 to 3 months depending on the local council's processing speed.

Renewal: Annually

Mandatory general operating license permitting a company to conduct business from a designated physical office, shop, or commercial facility within the council's jurisdiction.

Issuing Authority: Local Municipal Council (Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan - PBT, e.g., DBKL, MBPJ, MBSA)

Fees: Varies by local council, floor area, and activity; typically RM100 to RM1,500 annually.

Timeline: 2 to 4 weeks (standard premise); longer if on-site inspection is required.

Renewal: Annually (1 year)

Mandatory license for businesses with a physical location to operate and display signage within a specific local council jurisdiction.

Issuing Authority: Local Authority (e.g., MBPJ, DBKL)

Fees: Varies by local council and size of premises.

Timeline: Varies by local council.

Renewal: 1 year

A basic permit required for any business to legally operate from a physical retail, office, or industrial location and display signage.

Issuing Authority: Local Council (Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan / PBT)

Fees: RM500 to RM1,000 depending on location and premise type.

Timeline: Instant to 3 months depending on the local council.

Renewal: 1 year

Mandatory operational license required for operating any physical business premises and displaying outdoor business signage in Malaysia.

Issuing Authority: Local Municipal Councils (Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan / PBT, e.g., DBKL, MBPJ, MBSA)

Fees: Varies by local council, floor area, and signboard dimensions (typically RM 100 to RM 2,500 annually).

Timeline: 2 to 6 weeks depending on site inspection requirements.

Renewal: Annually (every 1 year).

Required for any company involved in construction works, including civil engineering and mechanical/electrical works.

Issuing Authority: Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB)

Fees: RM50 (one-off application fee for foreign contractors)

Timeline: Varies

Renewal: Annually

Mandatory for all companies undertaking construction and related activities in Malaysia.

Issuing Authority: Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB)

Fees: Varies by grade (G1-G7)

Timeline: Varies

Renewal: Annually

Mandatory for any company undertaking construction work in Malaysia.

Issuing Authority: Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB)

Fees: Based on grade of registration

Timeline: 1 to 3 months

Renewal: Annually

Mandatory for any person or company carrying out construction works in Malaysia.

Issuing Authority: Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB)

Fees: Varies based on registration grade (G1-G7).

Timeline: 1 to 3 months

Renewal: 1 to 3 years

Compulsory statutory registration required for any company or individual undertaking construction work in Malaysia, categorized across Grades G1 through G7 based on paid-up capital and project capability.

Issuing Authority: Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB)

Fees: RM 50 application fee plus registration levy ranging from RM 20 to RM 1,400 per year depending on the grade tier (G1 to G7).

Timeline: 2 to 4 weeks.

Renewal: 1 to 3 years.

Mandatory registration for all contractors undertaking construction works in Malaysia. Grades G1–G7 based on project value.

Issuing Authority: CIDB (Construction Industry Development Board)

Fees: RM500–3,000 depending on grade

Timeline: 1–2 months

Renewal: Annual renewal

Required for network facilities, network services, and content applications providers.

Issuing Authority: Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)

Fees: Varies

Timeline: Varies

Renewal: Annually

Mandatory registration for all business entities under the Companies Act 2016 to legally operate in Malaysia.

Issuing Authority: Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM)

Fees: RM1,000 for a company limited by shares (Sdn Bhd).

Timeline: 1 to 3 working days upon submission.

Renewal: Annual (filing of Annual Return and Financial Statements).

Mandatory for any company involved in construction activities in Malaysia.

Issuing Authority: Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB)

Fees: Based on registration grade.

Timeline: 1 to 2 months

Renewal: Annually

Registration allowing corporate entities to clear customs, import/export commercial goods across Malaysian borders, and obtain import/export permits through the national single window system.

Issuing Authority: Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM)

Fees: Customs registration is free; third-party EDI/Dagang Net access subscription fees apply.

Timeline: 3 to 7 working days

Renewal: Annually or bi-annually depending on the operating tier

Registration of a company with customs to obtain a Customs Registration Number (CRN) and electronic data interchange account for customs clearance and cargo tariffs.

Issuing Authority: Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM)

Fees: No statutory customs registration fee; Dagang Net EDI setup and annual software mailbox fees apply (around RM 500 to RM 1,000).

Timeline: 3 to 7 working days.

Renewal: Annually for EDI service account.

Required for companies involved in the import or export of goods to facilitate customs clearance.

Issuing Authority: Royal Malaysian Customs Department

Fees: Registration is generally free; specific permits (AP) may have costs.

Timeline: 1 to 2 weeks

Renewal: Valid as long as the company is active

Required for factories and construction sites using heavy machinery (hoists, boilers, etc.) to ensure safety compliance.

Issuing Authority: Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)

Fees: Varies by machinery type and capacity.

Timeline: 1 to 2 months

Renewal: Every 15 months (Certificate of Fitness).

Required for companies operating direct selling or multi-level marketing businesses.

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN)

Fees: Varies

Timeline: Varies

Renewal: Annually

Required for the manufacture, import, or wholesale of pharmaceutical products.

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Health (MOH)

Fees: Varies by activity.

Timeline: 3 to 6 months

Renewal: Annually

Mandatory registration for all companies hiring employees to ensure social security and retirement contributions.

Issuing Authority: EPF (KWSP) and SOCSO (PERKESO)

Fees: Free (registration only).

Timeline: 1-7 days

Renewal: Lifetime (monthly contributions required)

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) required for prescribed activities including manufacturing, land development, and infrastructure projects.

Issuing Authority: DOE (Department of Environment)

Fees: Assessment fees apply

Timeline: 3–9 months

Renewal: Per project (ongoing compliance)

Required for activities that may impact the environment, such as waste management or industrial processing.

Issuing Authority: Department of Environment (DOE)

Fees: Varies by project

Timeline: 45+ days

Renewal: Varies

License for food and beverage operators to ensure hygiene standards and food safety compliance.

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Health (MOH) / Local Authority

Fees: Varies by council

Timeline: 14 to 30 days

Renewal: Annually

Registration of workplaces and machinery to ensure safety and health standards for workers.

Issuing Authority: Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)

Fees: Varies by machinery type and inspection requirements.

Timeline: 1 to 2 months

Renewal: 15 months (for machinery inspection)

Mandatory fire safety certificate for designated premises including factories, hotels, and commercial buildings.

Issuing Authority: Bomba (Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia)

Fees: RM200–2,000 depending on premise size

Timeline: 2–4 weeks

Renewal: Annual renewal

Certification that the business premises comply with fire safety and prevention standards.

Issuing Authority: Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (BOMBA)

Fees: Varies by premise size

Timeline: 1 – 3 months

Renewal: 1 year

Mandatory requirement under Food Hygiene Regulations 2009 for all individuals handling, cooking, and serving food and beverage items in commercial premises.

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH / KKM) via Accredited Food Handler Training Institutes (SLPM)

Fees: Course fee: RM50 per personnel; Typhoid vaccination: RM60 to RM120 per personnel.

Timeline: 1 day (training course and vaccination completed on same day/session)

Renewal: Training certificate is lifetime; Typhoid vaccination valid for 3 years

Mandatory for all food handlers in F&B businesses to ensure hygiene standards.

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Health (KKM)

Fees: Course fee applies.

Timeline: Immediate upon training completion

Renewal: Not applicable

Mandatory for all staff handling food to ensure hygiene and safety standards.

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Health (MOH / KKM)

Fees: Training fee (approx. RM50) and medical fee for injection.

Timeline: Immediate upon completion of course and injection.

Renewal: Injection every 3 years; training is usually one-time.

Mandatory for all food handlers in the F&B industry to ensure hygiene and public safety.

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Health (MOH)

Fees: RM50 for training; RM60-RM100 for typhoid injection.

Timeline: 1 day (immediate after training/injection).

Renewal: Training is once in a lifetime; Typhoid injection every 3 years.

Mandatory for all food handlers in F&B businesses to ensure hygiene and safety standards.

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Health (KKM) / Local Council

Fees: Varies by local authority

Timeline: 1 – 2 weeks

Renewal: 3 years (Training)

Specific permit for restaurants and food outlets ensuring hygiene and safety standards.

Issuing Authority: Local Municipal Councils / Ministry of Health (MOH)

Fees: Varies by council.

Timeline: 1-2 months.

Renewal: Annual.

Required for food manufacturing, processing, and preparation businesses to ensure compliance with Food Act 1983.

Issuing Authority: MOH (Ministry of Health) — Food Safety & Quality Division

Fees: RM200–1,000

Timeline: 1–2 months

Renewal: Annual renewal

Optional but highly recommended for F&B and manufacturing businesses to certify products as permissible under Islamic law.

Issuing Authority: Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM)

Fees: Based on industry type (SME vs. Multinational).

Timeline: 3 to 6 months

Renewal: Every 2 years

Optional but highly recommended certification for food production, handling, or premises to ensure compliance with Shariah law.

Issuing Authority: Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM)

Fees: Varies based on industry size (Small, Medium, or Large).

Timeline: 1 to 3 months

Renewal: 2 years

Official certification verifying that products, ingredients, processing facilities, and hygiene protocols conform to Islamic Shariah requirements for consumables and cosmetics.

Issuing Authority: Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) / State Islamic Religious Councils (MAIN)

Fees: RM100 to RM1,400+ annually depending on business categorization (micro, small, medium, multinational enterprise).

Timeline: 1 to 3 months

Renewal: 1 to 2 years

Official certification verifying that food, beverages, consumables, or hospitality operations adhere to Islamic dietary and shariah preparation standards.

Issuing Authority: Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) / State Islamic Religious Councils (MAIN/JAIN)

Fees: RM 100 to RM 1,400 depending on enterprise scale (micro, small, medium, large, or multinational).

Timeline: 1 to 3 months.

Renewal: Every 2 years (local) or 3 years (slaughterhouses).

Approved Permit (AP) required for importing certain controlled goods such as vehicles, rice, sugar, and steel.

Issuing Authority: MITI / MATRADE

Fees: Varies by product category

Timeline: 1–3 months

Renewal: Per shipment or annual

Required for companies importing or exporting controlled goods such as food, pharmaceuticals, or heavy machinery.

Issuing Authority: Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD)

Fees: Varies based on HS Code and type of goods.

Timeline: 1 to 7 working days via electronic portal.

Renewal: Annually

Required for businesses engaged in cross-border trading of controlled goods.

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) / Royal Malaysian Customs

Fees: Varies by product category.

Timeline: Varies by product type

Renewal: Per shipment or annual depending on permit type.

Required for the cross-border trade of restricted or controlled items.

Issuing Authority: Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM)

Fees: Varies by item type.

Timeline: Varies

Renewal: Varies

Required for the movement of controlled goods across Malaysian borders.

Issuing Authority: Royal Malaysian Customs Department / MITI

Fees: Varies by product tariff code and quantity.

Timeline: Immediate to 2 weeks depending on the item.

Renewal: Per shipment or annual for specific APs (Approved Permits).