ESD / MYXpats
For eligible companies managed through ESD. Registration is followed by the applicable projection, prerequisite and pass-application stages.
中文EXPATRIATE COMPANY REGISTRATION · MALAYSIA
Malaysia expatriate
company registration.
Identify the appropriate authority based on the company’s sector, location, business activities and hiring needs, then prepare the company registration and supporting case.
ESDMDECXPATNOVAMIDAOther applicable authorities
WHY REGISTRATION COMES FIRST
Company registration is the foundation — not the individual pass application.
A Malaysian company intending to employ or host foreign professionals generally needs to register through the applicable expatriate platform first. The route should correspond with the company’s genuine sector, location, licences, activities and project circumstances.
After registration, the company may still need to complete other applicable prerequisites before an individual pass application can proceed.
MDEC Expats
For Malaysia Digital companies and qualifying ICT or digital-related businesses. Registration and subsequent processes can differ for MD and Non-MD companies.
IRDA XPATNOVA
For qualifying businesses within Iskandar Malaysia, subject to the relevant sector and location requirements. The company, premises, organisation and project may be reviewed.
MIDA & Others
Manufacturing, investment projects or specially regulated businesses may fall under MIDA or another authority. The route should be confirmed before documents are prepared.
WHAT WE ASSESS
The right authority follows the business — not a preferred portal.
Entity, activity & location
SSM profile, ownership and related entities, paid-up capital, premises, licences, actual business activities and project location.
Roles, headcount & justification
Proposed EP or PVP route, positions, headcount, source of talent, assignment period, employment or secondment structure and local workforce plan.
HOW WE SUPPORT
Choose the route first. Then build the company case.
- 01
Company & hiring assessment
Review the corporate profile, activities, location and intended expatriate arrangement.
- 02
Authority mapping
Identify the applicable ESD, MDEC, XPATNOVA, MIDA or other route and flag potential eligibility gaps.
- 03
Documents & registration
Prepare corporate, organisation, premises or project, authorisation and authority-specific supporting documents.
- 04
Next-stage prerequisites
After registration, coordinate the applicable prerequisites and next-stage individual pass application.
FAQ
Company registration questions
01Can a newly incorporated company register?
Potentially, but eligibility is not automatic. The authority may review capital, genuine operations, premises, projects, organisation, local workforce and the need for foreign talent.
02Can a company choose ESD, MDEC or XPATNOVA?
Not simply based on convenience. The pathway should match the company’s sector, location, status, activities and the relevant authority’s scope.
03Can an individual pass be filed immediately after registration?
Not necessarily. Other prerequisites may still apply, and we assess the company’s circumstances before explaining the next step.
04Does company registration guarantee the individual pass?
No. Company registration and the individual pass are separate assessment stages. We screen the company and applicant, identify risks and plan the next steps to maximise the likelihood of a successful outcome.
START WITH ROUTE MAPPING
Know which authority should handle your company.
Share your SSM profile, business activities, company and project location, and intended expatriate plan through WhatsApp to begin with an initial route assessment.
Enquire on WhatsApp→