Business License Application & Renewal Services In Malaysia
With years of experience assisting businesses in Malaysia, the MISHU team makes obtaining and renewing licenses from government authorities a hassle-free experience.
Not sure what licenses and permits your business needs? Get in touch for expert consultation. Know what you’re looking for? Choose from our list of licenses below and we’ll handle the rest!
Local Authority Licenses
These are licenses issued by district-level authorities, known in Bahasa Melayu as ‘Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan’ (PBT).
MISHU can help with business license applications from the following Local Authorities:
SELANGOR
PULAU PINANG
JOHOR
PERAK
KUALA LUMPUR
MELAKA
PUTRAJAYA
Industry-Specific Licenses
These licenses are issued by federal government bodies that regulate businesses within their respective economic sectors to ensure compliance with industry standards.
Child Care Centre License (JKM)
Businesses providing childcare services such as childcare centers and nurseries must undergo specific training and be registered with the Malaysian Department of Social Welfare (JKM).
For full details, see our guide to opening a child care centre in Malaysia.
Average processing time: 6 to 8 months
F&B Licenses (MOH)
Businesses in the F&B sector including restaurants, cafes, and snack bars must undergo specific training and be registered with the Food Safety Information System of Malaysia (FoSIM) under the Malaysian Ministry of Health.
For full details, see our guide to restaurant licenses and permits.
Average processing time: 1 month
Private Employment Agency License (JTK)
Businesses providing manpower supply of local and/or foreign talent must be registered with the Malaysian Department of Labour (JKM) under one of the following categories:
- A: For job seekers in Malaysia
- B: For job seekers in and outside Malaysia, and foreign domestic workers in Malaysia
- C: For job seekers in and outside Malaysia, and non-citizen employees in Malaysia
For full details, see our guide to opening a private employment agency in Malaysia.
Average processing time: 2 to 3 months
Tour & Travel Agency License (MOTAC)
Businesses providing tour packages for local and overseas tourists must be registered with the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism & Culture (MOTAC) under one of the following categories:
- Inbound Travel Agency
- Outbound Travel Agency
- Inbound & Outbound Travel Agency
For full details, see our guide to opening a travel agency in Malaysia.
Average processing time: 2 to 3 months
Private Education Institution License (MOE)
Businesses in private education such as tuition and language centres, private schools, and kindergartens must be registered as a Private Education Institution (PEI) with the Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE) based on their specific PEI category.
For full details, see our guide to opening a tuition centre or kindergarten in Malaysia.
Average processing time: 6 to 8 months
Foreign Wholesale, Retail, and Trade License (KPDNKK)
Foreign businesses that wish to engage in any form of wholesale, retail, or trade activity in Malaysia (such as hypermarkets or F&B outlets) must obtain a WRT license from the The Ministry of Domestic Trade (KPDNKK)
For full details, see our guide to WRT licenses.
Average processing time: 2 to 3 months
Local or Foreign Contractor Licenses (CIDB)
Local and foreign businesses that want to engage in construction-related activities in Malaysia must first be certified as contractors with the Malaysian Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).
For full details, see our guides to:
Average processing time: 1 to 2 months
Activity-Specific licenses
These licenses are also issued by federal bodies but regulate business activities that cut across multiple economic sectors.
MOF Account (MOF)
Businesses that wish to become vendors of Malaysian federal, state, and local government offices must register as a supplier with the Ministry of Finance (MOF).
For full details, see our FAQs on MOF License applications and renewals.
Average processing time: 1 to 2 months
Music Licenses
Businesses that wish to play live renditions or recordings of copyrighted music in their premises (including restaurants, clothing boutiques, and karaoke centres) must apply for at least one of the following music licenses:
- RPM (Recording Performers Malaysia Berhad)
- PPM (Public Performance Malaysia)
- MACP (Music Authors’ Copyright Protection)
For full details, see our FAQs on music licenses in Malaysia.
Average processing time: 1 month
Malaysian Digital Status (without tax incentive)
Businesses in the tech and digital space that wish to engage in various Malaysia Digital activities including special benefits must register for MD Status with the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation.
Average processing time: 2 to 3 months
Business Premise License
Lesen Premis
What it is: Permission from the Local Authorities (Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan) for a business to operate on physical premises within the jurisdiction of said authority. To be displayed on the premises at all times. There are some of the samples.
Types Of Business Premise License
There are different types of business premise license in Malaysia. The business premise license that your business requires will depend on the nature of your business.
For certain types of business activities that are not as straightforward, the relevant town council will assess and determine whether a business falls under the relevant license category where an application has been made.
Certain businesses are also required to obtain supporting documents from the appropriate ministry and/or other relevant governmental body before it is permitted to make an application for the business premise license.
These are some the most common and straightforward business premise licenses in Malaysia
Office License
Pejabat Urusan
Shoe Store License
Kedai Kasut
Flower Shop License
Kedai Bunga
Barber Shop License
Kedai Gunting Rambut
F&B Restaurant License
Kedai Makanan
Place To Submit The Application
The application for the business premise license is to be made to the relevant town council where your premises is located.
To determine which town council has an authority over your premises, you are advised to provide us with a copy of an Assessment Receipt (Cukai Taksiran/Pintu) issued by the town council in respect of your premises.
While your address may indicate that your premises is located in Kuala Lumpur, the town council regulating your premises may not necessary be Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), but rather, it could be other local authority.
What you need to know
1. There are different types of Business Premise Licenses in Malaysia, and the specific license you need depends on the nature of your business.
2. For certain business activities that are more tightly regulated, the Local Authorities will assess and determine whether a business falls under the license category applied for.
3. Certain businesses are required to obtain supporting documents from the relevant Government Ministry and/or other relevant regulatory bodies before it is permitted to apply for a Business Premise License.
4. The fees for a Business Premise License will depend on the nature of a business as well as the floor area of the premises (for certain businesses).
5. Business Premise Licenses are typically valid for one (1) year from the date of approval/renewal. Such license can be renewed every year by just paying the prescribed renewal fee.
Fees Payable to Local Authority
The fees payable to the local authority for the business premise license will also depend on the nature of your business, and for certain businesses, it will also be subject to the floor area of the premises.
License Period
Typically, a business license granted by the local authority is valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of application approval/ renewal approval. Such license can be renewed every year by just paying the prescribed renewal fee.
We can help deal with the Local Authorities and secure the necessary licenses for business owners.
We Require The Following Documents From You:
1. A copy of complete set of SSM documents
2. A copy of the Sale and Purchase Agreement OR Tenancy Agreement
3. A copy of the applicant’s identity card OR passport photo
4. A copy of your office layout plan
5. Photographs of the business premises
6. A copy of the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) OR Certificate of Fitness (CF)
7. Quit Rent (Cukai Tanah) and Assessment (Cukai Taksiran/ Pintu) receipts
8. A copy of the Fire Department’s support letter/ Bomba Certificate
9. Photographs of the outer part of your premises showing where the signboard will be displayed
10. A colour visual of the signboard indicating design, colours and physical measurement
MISHU Has Wealth Of Experience Applying The Following Licenses:
- Business Premise License Signboard License
- Wholesale and Retail Distribution Trade (WRT) License
- Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) License
- Liquor License
- Music License
- Malaysia Digital (MD) Status
- Labour (JTK) License
- Ministry of Education (MoE) License
- Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) License
- National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) License
- Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) License
Signage Advertisement License
Lesen Iklan Papan Tanda
What it is: Permission from the Local Authorities (Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan) for a business to display a signboard outside its premises or kiosk (such as in a mall).
We normally encourage our clients to apply for business premise and signage advertisement license together to save costs. It is also to be noted that certain town councils have made it mandatory to apply for both business and signage advertisement license at the same time.
What you need to know
1. The nature of your business must be clearly stated on the signboard in Malay language (Bahasa Malaysia), together with your company name and business license number.
2. The Malay language (Bahasa Malaysia) portion to be displayed must be approved by the Institute of Language and Literature (Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka). It typically takes about one (1) to three (3) days to obtain the approval from the Institute.
3.The signboard must not be mounted over any glass structure, window, façade or obstruct any view or walkway.
4. Any visuals related to alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, and indecent acts are prohibited.
5. Signage Advertisement Licenses are typically valid for one (1) year from the date of approval/renewal. Such license can be renewed every year by just paying the prescribed renewal fee.
Requirement Of A Signboard
The nature of your business must be clearly set out in Malay Language (Bahasa Malaysia) on the signboard, together with your company name and business license number.
Further, for the town council to approve the placement of the signboard on your premises, you must also ensure that the signboard will not be mounted over any glass structure, window, façade or obstruct any view or walkway.
Any visuals related to alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, indecent photographs are also prohibited to be displayed on the signboard.
Sample:
Frequently Asked Questions
At a high level, there are three (3) types:
*General business licenses applicable to most businesses
*Industry-specific licenses
*Activity-specific licenses that cover two or more industries
That would be general business licenses, which consist of a Business Premise License allowing a business to operate on a physical premise within a certain jurisdiction, and a Signboard License, permitting a business to display a signboard outside its premises or kiosk.
It depends, though on average most businesses should be able to secure their necessary licenses within 14 days.
A composite license typically starts from RM650, but an accurate estimate depends on business details including geographic location and premise size. For a tailored estimate, get in touch!
Our team is experienced with the details and nuances surrounding applying for and securing various business licenses in Malaysia. By engaging us, the application process is completed significantly faster, allowing business owners to begin operating sooner.
In short, whatever you need, we can get it for you much faster.
General licenses are issued by the local authority of a certain area, while activity and industry-specific licences are issued by the relevant government ministry.
No, but the business licenses are needed to operate legally.
You may run the risk of getting fine and compound by the local authorities. Certain licenses may even impose jail punishment for non-compliance.
Got an URGENT question?
Contact us via [email protected] or WhatsApp +60-175159832