Starting a business is exciting. Waiting months for a licence approval is not. Marie J & Co (MJCO) provides a complete business license application service Malaysia businesses can rely on, from checking which licences you need to submitting your papers and following up with the authorities.
We are a chartered accounting and MAICSA-registered company secretarial firm in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. We already handle statutory compliance for our clients, so getting your licences sorted is a natural next step.
Answer two quick questions for a starting checklist. We'll confirm the details for your exact premise.
Pick one option from each question to see your checklist.
In Malaysia, every business operating from a premise needs a licence from its local authority (PBT), such as DBKL in Kuala Lumpur or MBSJ, MBPJ and MBSA in Selangor. Some trades also need approval from a specific agency. Our business license application service Malaysia covers all of them, from a single shop lot to a multi-outlet business.
Lesen Premis Perniagaan for shops, offices, workshops and warehouses.
Lesen Papan Iklan, including Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) wording approval.
Premise licences for restaurants, cafés and food stalls.
Residential premise applications, where change-of-use approval is needed first.
Annual renewals, plus updates when you move premises or change business activity.
Fire safety (Bomba) and building completion documents councils often ask for.
Each local authority has its own rules, forms and portal. A rejected or incomplete application can delay your opening by weeks while you are already paying rent. A business license consultant gets it right the first time.
We check zoning and premise suitability before you commit to a tenancy.
Missing floor plans or signboard approvals are the most common reasons for delay.
We liaise with the council, DBP and other agencies on your behalf.
We track renewal dates so your licence stays valid year after year.
A business operating without a valid licence risks fines, compounds or closure by the council. Working with a business license consultant avoids that risk from day one.
Most premises with a signboard apply for a composite licence (Lesen Komposit), which combines the business premise licence and the signboard licence in one application.
A council business licence is typically valid for one year from approval or renewal. Renew before expiry to avoid late penalties or enforcement action. Many councils now allow online renewal.
Moving premises, changing your business activity or changing your signboard usually needs a new application or an amendment.
Your signboard must show the business name and nature of business in Bahasa Malaysia and, where required, the licence number. MJCO keeps a renewal calendar for every client licence and contacts you before each due date.
Your licence comes from the council that governs your premise address, and each council has its own categories, portal and timelines. MJCO handles applications across the Klang Valley.
| Council | Areas covered (examples) | How to apply |
|---|---|---|
| DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) | All of Kuala Lumpur, incl. Sungai Besi, Cheras, Bukit Jalil | DBKL eLesen portal |
| MBSJ (Subang Jaya City Council) | Subang Jaya, USJ, Puchong, Seri Kembangan, Serdang | MBSJ eLesen portal or counter at USJ HQ |
| MBPJ (Petaling Jaya City Council) | Petaling Jaya, Damansara, Kota Damansara | Council online portal |
| MBSA (Shah Alam City Council) | Shah Alam, Setia Alam, Bukit Jelutong | Council online portal |
| Others | Kajang (MPKj), Klang (MBDK), Sepang (MPSp), Putrajaya (PPj) | Varies by council |
MBSJ's client charter targets 1 day for instant online licences, 14 days for normal applications and 30 days for entertainment licences. Our offices in Seri Kembangan and Sungai Besi sit within MBSJ and DBKL areas, so we deal with both councils regularly.
Click through each step of our business license application service Malaysia, from your first call to your licence in hand.
We review your business activity, premise and location, and flag any zoning issues early.
We confirm which licences and supporting approvals your council requires.
We prepare forms, floor plans, location plans and signboard artwork, ready for submission.
We obtain Bahasa Malaysia wording approval for your signboard from Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.
We submit through the council's online portal or counter.
We answer council queries and help you prepare for any premise inspection.
You receive your licence and can open your doors.
We remind you before your licence expires each year, so it never lapses.
Requirements differ by council and business type, but most applications need the items below. Tick off what you already have:
0 of 7 documents ready
F&B operators also need food handler training and typhoid vaccination, and foreign-owned businesses may need a support letter from a regulatory agency.
Most delays come from problems that could have been found before submission:
We check each of these before submitting, so your application goes in complete the first time.
Most licence runners only submit forms. MJCO is a full business application consultancy backed by chartered accountants and a MAICSA-registered secretarial practice.
Chartered Accountant (FCCA, C.A.), Licensed Tax Agent and MOF-approved Company Auditor, with over 10 years in public practice and earlier experience at Deloitte and KPMG. Marie leads our business application consultancy team, handling company setup, licensing and statutory compliance for SMEs across the Klang Valley.
Yes. SSM registration makes your business legal as an entity. A business licence from your local council allows you to operate from a specific premise.
It depends on the council and licence category. MBSJ, for example, targets 1 day for instant online licences, 14 days for normal applications and 30 days for entertainment licences. Complete documents are the biggest factor in avoiding delays.
It combines the business premise licence and the signboard licence into one application. Most shops and offices with a signboard apply for this.
Council business licences are typically valid for 12 months and must be renewed every year.
The council that governs your premise address. For example, Seri Kembangan and Puchong fall under MBSJ, while Sungai Besi falls under DBKL.
Often yes, but residential premises usually need change-of-use approval from the council first. We check this before you apply.
Yes, but foreign-owned businesses may need extra documents, such as a support letter from an agency like MIDA or a relevant ministry. Requirements depend on the council and business activity.
Yes. MalaysiaBiz is the government portal for finding which licences your business needs, and it links to council systems. A business license consultant saves time when your case involves zoning, signboard approval or several agencies.
A consultant identifies the licences you need, prepares the documents, submits the application and handles follow-up with the authorities until approval.
Business application consultancy covers the applications a business needs to start and operate legally: company registration, premise and signboard licences, and related approvals. MJCO handles all of these in one place.
Costs include the council's licence fee, which depends on your premise and activity, plus our service fee. We give a fixed quote after reviewing your case.
Yes. We renew existing licences and update them when you change premises or business activity.
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