Every hawker stall, tuition class and Shopee side-hustle in Malaysia is technically supposed to have one thing: an SSM registration. Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM), the Companies Commission of Malaysia, is the body that makes your business legally exist, and for most people starting out — sole proprietorship or partnership — the process now happens entirely online through EzBiz Online, not MyCoID. That distinction alone trips up first-timers, so here's what's actually required, what it costs, and where people go wrong.
What You Need Before You Start
SSM's Registration of Businesses Act 1956 covers two structures for individuals: a sole proprietorship (one owner) and a partnership (two to twenty partners). This applies to businesses operating in Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territories; Sabah and Sarawak run their own separate business licensing systems, so check with the relevant state authority if you're based there.
To register, you must be a Malaysian citizen or Permanent Resident, aged 18 or above. Only the owner or a partner can submit the application, not an agent or friend. You'll need:
- A valid MyKad (or PR identification)
- A registered account on the SSM4U portal, verified before you can use EzBiz
- Your business details: proposed name, commencement date, principal address, and nature of business
- A copy of the partnership agreement, if applicable
- Any licence or supporting letter for regulated activities (childcare, tuition centres and similar need approval letters from the relevant ministry)
You can register using your personal name exactly as it appears on your IC (no approval needed), or a trade name like "Kedai Kopi Aman," which must be approved by SSM first.
How to Register a Business Online via SSM EzBiz
-
Set up your EzBiz/SSM4U account. Head to the official portal at
ezbiz.ssm.com.my, accessed via the SSM4U portal, and register as a user. This includes identity verification, so have your MyKad ready. -
Decide personal name or trade name. If you're using a trade name, submit it for name approval first. If it's rejected, you'll need to submit alternatives — this is the single biggest delay in the whole process.
-
Log in and select "New Registration." Choose Sole Proprietorship or Partnership, then fill in Form A: business name, commencement date, principal place of business, branch details (if any), and nature of business, which SSM classifies under an MSIC (Malaysia Standard Industrial Classification) code.
-
Add owner or partner details. All partners named in the application need to be verified EzBiz users, since everyone effectively "signs" digitally.
-
Upload supporting documents, if your activity needs a licence or supporting letter.
-
Choose your registration validity, from one to five years — the longer the term, the more years of fees you pay upfront.
-
Pay online via FPX or credit/debit card, the only payment methods EzBiz accepts.
-
Download your certificate. Once approved, your Business Registration Certificate and business information are downloadable for 90 days. After that, you'd need to buy a reprint through an authorised SSM data provider such as SSM e-Info.
What It Costs
These are SSM's own published fees for business (not company) registration, current as of 2026:
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| New registration — personal name | RM30 per year |
| New registration — trade name | RM60 per year |
| Each additional branch | RM5 per year |
| Business information copy | RM10 |
| Change of business particulars | RM20 |
| Renewal (personal or trade name) | Same as new registration rates |
| Termination | No fee |
A one-year personal-name registration costs RM30 total. A two-year trade-name registration is RM120 (RM60 x 2 years), plus RM10 for a printed business information copy if you want one.
How Long Does It Take
SSM's client service charter for EzBiz Online commits to processing applications within one working day (24 hours) of submission. A personal-name application, with no name approval step, tends to clear faster. A trade-name application only takes longer if the name gets queried or rejected — which is exactly why name mistakes are what slows people down, not the system itself.
Sdn Bhd: A Separate, Bigger Process
Incorporating a private limited company (Sdn Bhd) instead is a different legal structure altogether, governed by the Companies Act 2016 and handled through MyCoID, not EzBiz. It involves a company name reservation (RM50 per 30 days, up to 180 days), an incorporation fee of RM1,000 for a company limited by shares, plus ongoing obligations like a company secretary and annual returns. It's a heavier commitment, and worth its own separate research — this guide only covers the EzBiz path.
Common Mistakes People Make
- Registering on a lookalike site instead of the real portal. Several third-party domains resemble "SSM ezBiz" but aren't SSM's actual system. The genuine portal is
ezbiz.ssm.com.my, reached throughssm4u.com.my. If a site asks you to pay before showing an official-looking government interface, stop and check the URL. - Picking a trade name that's too generic or too similar to an existing one. Names resembling existing registered businesses, or using restricted words ("Bank," "Berhad," anything implying government affiliation) without approval, get rejected.
- Choosing the wrong MSIC code. This nature-of-business classification affects your licensing and tax profile down the line, including e-invoicing categorisation with LHDN. Read up on it before picking the closest-sounding option.
- Registering late. Businesses must register within 30 days of commencement. Operating unregistered is an offence, with fines of up to RM50,000 or up to two years' imprisonment, or both.
- Forgetting the 90-day download window. After that, you'll need to pay a third-party provider for a reprint of your certificate.
FAQ
Can I register a business in Malaysia without visiting an SSM counter?
Yes. Sole proprietorships and partnerships can be registered entirely online through EzBiz Online, from account verification to payment and certificate download.
How much does it cost to register a sole proprietorship with SSM?
RM30 per year if you register using your personal name as it appears on your MyKad. A trade name costs RM60 per year instead.
What happens if my trade name gets rejected?
You'll need to submit an alternative name for approval. This is the step most likely to delay your registration beyond SSM's usual one-working-day turnaround, so it's worth having a backup name ready.
Do I need to deal with LHDN or SST separately after registering with SSM?
Yes. SSM registration only makes your business legally exist — tax registration, e-invoicing, and SST thresholds are handled separately through LHDN.
Can foreigners register a sole proprietorship in Malaysia?
No. Only Malaysian citizens or Permanent Residents aged 18 and above can register a sole proprietorship or partnership. Foreigners looking to set up a business generally need to incorporate a Sdn Bhd instead.
Once your registration comes through, the real work starts: sorting out tax obligations, including e-invoicing rules from LHDN and the SST changes that kick in once your revenue crosses certain thresholds.
For the full official details, see SSM's EzBiz Online page, the ezBiz Online portal itself, and MyCoID if you're considering the Sdn Bhd route instead.
