Scaling Businesses through Governance Advisory |
AI & Technology Driven |
ASEAN Focused

Scaling Businesses through Governance Advisory | AI & Technology Driven | ASEAN Focused

Ensure efficient growth with VIVOS. Our business advisory services in Malaysia include company incorporation, regulatory alignment, corporate governance, Malaysian Employment Pass facilitation, and banking support for foreigners. Relocating personally rather than just expanding your business? See our guide to moving to Malaysia. Looking for a Malaysia-based team to handle incorporation and compliance directly on the ground? Visit VIVOS Malaysia.

Strategic Advisory for Businesses Establishing or Growing in Malaysia or Beyond

Stay ahead of regulatory and operational requirements with VIVOS’ Malaysia business advisory and compliance services. Our solutions include company incorporation, corporate governance, statutory compliance, and immigration advisory. By managing these responsibilities, VIVOS allows your business to operate efficiently, remain fully compliant, and focus on sustainable growth.

VIVOS provides core advisory services to help companies establish and manage a presence in Malaysia, ensuring accurate statutory filings, adherence to corporate governance standards, and alignment with regulatory requirements.

Exploring Business Opportunities in Malaysia?

Advisory for Informed Decisions Before Committing Capital, Talent, or Structure

VIVOS supports clients seeking clarity on governance expectations, compliance considerations, immigration pathways, and operating structures, ensuring decisions are strategically informed and minimizing the risk of costly missteps

Already Operating in Malaysia?

Advisory as governance, compliance, and operational demands evolve.

As businesses scale in Malaysia, regulatory expectations increase. VIVOS support businesses and individuals navigating governance, reporting obligations, immigration alignment, and operational complexity as they grow

Why Businesses Are Focusing on Malaysia Now

Malaysia offers a compelling balance of regulatory clarity, operating efficiency, and regional connectivity, making it an attractive base for long-term business investment and regional expansion. For companies and investors, Malaysia provides a stable foundation to scale operations locally and across ASEAN markets.

Key Factors Shaping Long-Term Presence:

Competitive cost dynamics compared to neighbouring jurisdictions
Established immigration frameworks for work, investment, and residence
Regional market access without disproportionate compliance burden
Support for foreign investors on opening bank accounts in Malaysia

The advantages of Malaysia are maximized when businesses adopt a governance-first approach, combining corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and operational structuring to sustainable growth.

How We Work

VIVOS partners closely with management teams, boards, and external advisors to help clients navigate complexity, align stakeholders, and execute decisions with clarity and accountability.

Our Services covers company secretarial and statutory compliance through to corporate advisory services in Malaysia, business consulting services, turnaround, and strategy execution across all customer segments.

We combine governance expertise with hands-on execution to support leadership teams through periods of complexity, transformation, and growth — delivering informed decisions and measurable outcomes.

Advisory Services in Malaysia

VIVOS provides structured advisory and operational support for clients establishing or managing a presence in Malaysia. Our services are delivered through an advisory lens — focused on governance, compliance, and your long-term goals.

Corporate & Business Advisory Services

Provide expert corporate and business advisory support for company setup, entity structuring, regulatory compliance, and strategic planning.
We ensure your business is established on a strong professional foundation and positioned for sustainable growth.

Company Incorporation

Support for setting up companies in Malaysia, including entity structuring and registration, so your business starts on a solid foundations.

Company Secretary & Statutory Compliance

maintain good corporate standing, and mitigate compliance risks.

Accounting & Financial Services

Accounting & Financial Services
Practical assistance with bookkeeping and financial reporting to keep your business organised and fully compliant.

Tax Advisory & Compliance

Expert guidance on corporate and personal tax obligations, ensuring timely compliance, optimal tax planning, and adherence to Malaysian tax regulations.

Banking & Treasury

Assistance with establishing suitable banking and financial arrangements to support smooth operations

Capital Management, Debt Restructure, Risk Management

Strategic advisory to capital structures, restructuring debt, and managing financial risk to strengthen long-term stability.

Business Turnaround and Balance Sheet Management

VIVOS delivers Hands-on support to restore financial health through turnaround strategies and disciplined balance-sheet management.

Visa & Immigration

We provide strategic immigration advisory to help you and your family make informed decisions about long-term visas in Malaysia. Our experts combine regulatory insight with personalised planning to align your immigration goals with business roles, family needs, and future presence in the country.

Long-Term Stay

Advisory support on long-term visas and passes linked to professional roles, investment, family, or extended residence.

Immigration is a governance decision, not just an application. VIVOS advises on aligning immigration status with business roles, family planning, and long-term presence.”

Short-Term Stay
Long-Term Stay
Malaysia My 2nd Home

Immigration decisions affect tax residency, director obligations, and regulatory exposure — errors are often costly and hard to unwind.

Short-Term Stay

Advisory guidance on appropriate short-term entry options for business travel and temporary presence.

Why Clients Choose VIVOS?

Built by Entrepreneurs,
for Entrepreneurs

We understand the realities of starting and growing a business, and design our support to solve real-world challenges.

Advisory-First,
Not Transactional

We focus on decision-making, governance, and long-term outcomes, not one-off services.

Governance &
Regulatory Expertise

Our guidance is shaped by decades of deep local expertise and risk-aware advisory in Malaysia.

Discreet,
High-Touch Engagement

Thoughtful, confidential advisory support for founders, families, and leadership teams.

Regional
Perspective

We advise with a Southeast Asia and cross-border lens for smarter long-term decisions.

Ready to make informed decisions about Malaysia?

Speak with our advisors to understand governance considerations, regulatory expectations, and long-term opportunities in Malaysia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreigners set up a company in Malaysia?

Foreigners can incorporate and own companies in Malaysia, subject to structure, licensing, and sector-specific regulatory requirements

Do I need to be physically present in Malaysia to manage a company?

Physical presence is not always required, but certain roles, activities, and banking or regulatory processes may require directors or authorised signatories to be in Malaysia at specific points.

Do I need a local director to incorporate a company in Malaysia?

Yes, to incorporate a private limited company (Sdn. Bhd.) in Malaysia, you must appoint at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Malaysia. This can be a Malaysian citizen, permanent resident, or a foreigner with a valid long-term visa.

Even with 100% foreign ownership, a local resident director is mandatory under Malaysian company law. If you do not have a local partner, many corporate service firms offer nominee director services.

Company incorporation is regulated by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM)

What is the difference between an Employment Pass and a Professional Visit Pass (PVP)?

An Employment Pass is for long-term employment, while a Professional Visit Pass is usually issued for short-term professional or technical assignments.

What is the Residence Pass–Talent (RP-T)?

The Residence Pass–Talent is a long-term pass for highly skilled foreign professionals who have worked in Malaysia, offering greater flexibility and longer residency compared to standard work passes

Can a foreigner own 100% equity in a Malaysia company, and which industries allow it?

Yes, foreigners can own 100% equity in a company in Malaysia across many industries, including IT, digital services, consulting, manufacturing, e-commerce, and export-oriented businesses.

However, certain regulated sectors such as banking, telecommunications, logistics, agriculture, education, and retail may impose foreign ownership restrictions or require local shareholding and government approvals.

Foreign-owned companies in Malaysia are regulated by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), and additional licenses may be required depending on the industry and business activity.

Can business owners apply for a work pass in Malaysia?

Yes, foreign business owners in Malaysia can apply for a work pass after incorporating a company, usually through an Employment Pass or other investor-related visa categories.

Eligibility depends on factors such as the company’s business activity, paid-up capital, shareholding structure, and immigration requirements. In many cases, foreign-owned companies can sponsor the business owner’s work pass application.

Work pass approvals in Malaysia are regulated by the Immigration Department of Malaysia
and may require additional approvals depending on the industry.

Can a Malaysia visa be converted from short-term to long-term?

Yes, certain short-term visas in Malaysia can be converted into long-term passes, depending on the purpose of stay and eligibility requirements. Common long-term options include Employment Passes, Dependant Passes, student visas, and investor-related passes.

The approval process usually requires sponsorship from an employer, educational institution, or registered business in Malaysia, along with supporting documents and immigration approval.

Visa conversions and long-term pass applications are regulated by the Immigration Department of Malaysia.

Can long-term visas lead to permanent residency in Malaysia?

Yes, certain long-term visas in Malaysia may lead to permanent residency (PR), depending on factors such as the length of stay, employment status, investment contribution, and immigration eligibility.

Foreign professionals, investors, and skilled individuals who have legally resided in Malaysia for several years under approved long-term passes may become eligible to apply for PR, subject to government approval.

Permanent residency applications are handled by the Immigration Department of Malaysia and are assessed on a case-by-case basis.