WRT & Sector Approvals (Wholesale, Retail Trade & Foreign Equity Clearance)

Get Your WRT License & Foreign Trade Clearance 

Fast in Malaysia

Planning to run a trading, wholesale, retail, e-commerce, or restaurant business in Malaysia with foreign ownership? If your company is more than 50% foreign-owned, you must secure an official Wholesale, Retail Trade (WRT) License from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) before operating and applying for expatriate visas. We manage your entire application from capital structuring and business plan positioning to local council coordination and official approval.

zepheus-wrt-hero-img@2x
Top-Rated Corporate Services Group in Malaysia (4.9/5.0 Stars with 119+ Verified Google Reviews)
100% Transparent, itemized pricing with zero hidden charges. We conduct an upfront eligibility review on your paid-up capital, business concept, and trade sector before starting.
24-Hour Same-Day Reply Guarantee & End-to-End Online Licensing Portal Support. Full representation from document structuring to license delivery.
The Zepheus Advantage

Why Choose Zepheus for WRT Licensing & Foreign Trade Approvals?

1

Share Capital Structuring Expertise

WRT guidelines require a minimum of RM 1,000,000 paid-up capital for foreign-owned entities. We prepare all required Member Resolutions, Share Application Letters, Directors' Written Resolutions, bank deposit verifications, and statutory form filings with the Companies Commission of Malaysia to ensure full capital clearance.

2

Specialized Business Plan & Concept Presentation

The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) strictly evaluates business economic contribution and concept uniqueness (especially for restaurants and retail). We draft tailored business plans, pricing strategies, and local economic benefit justifications that pass ministerial review.

3

Seamless Premise & Signboard Alignment

We coordinate your local municipal council premise license, landlord tenancy agreements, and approved signboard artwork with our trusted vendors so your physical setup matches ministerial inspection standards.

4

Expatriate Visa Integration

Obtaining your WRT license is the statutory prerequisite for foreign trading companies to unlock Immigration Expatriate Services Division accounts and Employment Passes for foreign directors.

5

Transparent & Reliable Service

4.9-Star Google Rating across 119+ verified reviews. Clear upfront proposals with zero surprise charges.

Key Requirements for Foreign-Owned Trading Entities

Foreign Shareholding Trigger (Over 50% Foreign Equity)

  • Any private limited company where non-Malaysian individuals or foreign corporations hold more than 50% equity is classified as a foreign-owned distributive trade business and must hold an approved WRT License before operating.
  • Companies with 51% or more Malaysian local ownership are generally exempted from WRT license requirements.

Minimum Paid-Up Capital Requirement

  • A minimum paid-up capital of RM 1,000,000 must be fully injected and reflected in the company's corporate profile prior to submission.
  • Documentation includes formal Share Application Letters, Member Resolutions, Directors' Written Resolutions, bank deposit proofs, and official statutory form filings.

Physical Commercial Premise & Local Council License

  • Must operate from a physical commercial shoplot, office, or warehouse with a stamped tenancy agreement of at least 1 year (virtual offices or residential addresses are strictly rejected).
  • Must possess or be in progress of securing the local municipal council business premise license.

Distinct Concept (For Restaurants & Specialty Retail)

  • Foreign-owned restaurants, cafes, and retail shops must demonstrate unique offerings (such as authentic foreign cuisine, specialized product lines, head chef credentials) that do not directly displace small local traditional operators.

WRT & Sector Clearance Service Modules

Module 1

Pre-Submission Audit & Capital Structuring

  • Verifying equity structure, business activity classification, and trade eligibility.
  • Executing paid-up capital increase to RM 1,000,000 via formal Share Application Letters, Member Resolutions, Directors' Written Resolutions, bank deposit proofs, and statutory form filings.
Module 2

Business Plan & Concept Dossier Drafting

  • Structuring a comprehensive ministry-compliant Business Plan detailing operations, workforce plan (local vs. foreign hiring), capital expenditure, and market positioning.
  • Compiling product catalogues, supplier contracts, and unique concept presentations (menus, chef resumes, and branch mockups for restaurants).
Module 3

Government Licensing Portal Lodgment & Ministry Follow-Up

  • Completing official statutory application forms and uploading complete dossiers on the government online licensing portal.
  • Managing ministry inquiries, site inspection readiness, and following up with Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) licensing officers until approval is granted.
Module 4

Subsequent Expatriate Visa & Premise Activation

  • Assisting your company in using the approved WRT License to finalize municipal premise licenses and register with the Immigration Expatriate Services Division for Director Employment Passes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers to common questions about incorporating and running your Malaysian business digitally with Zepheus.

What is a WRT License, and why does my company need it?
A WRT License is an official permit issued by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN). It regulates foreign participation in Malaysia's distributive trade sector. If your company is more than 50% foreign-owned and engages in wholesale, retail, trading, export, import, or restaurant operations, holding a WRT license is legally mandatory.
What business sectors fall under the WRT licensing scope?
Distributive trade activities including wholesale trading, retail shops, import and export distribution, restaurants, cafes, franchise operations, and e-commerce selling physical products to Malaysian consumers.
Is the RM 1,000,000 paid-up capital strictly mandatory?
Yes. For any company with more than 50% foreign equity, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) strictly enforces the minimum RM 1,000,000 paid-up capital requirement. This capital must be injected into the company's Malaysian bank account and updated in corporate registry records before applying.
If our company is 51% Malaysian-owned (Joint Venture), do we still need a WRT license?
No. Companies with at least 51% Malaysian equity are legally classified as locally controlled entities and are exempted from the WRT License and its RM 1,000,000 minimum capital threshold.
Can an online e-commerce business apply for a WRT License?
Yes. Foreign-owned e-commerce businesses selling physical goods to Malaysian buyers must obtain a WRT License. You must maintain a physical corporate office in Malaysia, commercial warehouse or logistics arrangements, and an active local contact line.
What special requirements apply to foreign-owned restaurants and food outlets?
Foreign-owned food outlets must demonstrate a unique cuisine concept or fine dining experience that does not directly compete with local street-food operators. You must provide a full menu with pricing, head chef professional credentials (minimum 3 years of experience), and clear premise interior photos.
Can we use a virtual office for a WRT license application?
No. The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) strictly rejects virtual offices and residential addresses. The company must provide a stamped commercial tenancy agreement of at least 12 months, property photos, and valid local municipal premise documentation. Ministry officers may conduct an on-site physical inspection.
How long does the WRT application process take?
A WRT application processed via the online government licensing portal typically takes 2 to 4 months from full document submission to final approval, depending on document completeness and whether a physical site inspection is required by ministry officers.
How long is the WRT license valid, and how is it renewed?
An approved WRT License is generally valid for 1 to 3 years. Renewal applications should be submitted at least 3 months before expiry along with latest audited financial reports, updated employee pension fund statements, and valid local municipal council licenses.
How does Zepheus assist foreign founders with WRT licensing?
We provide complete end-to-end guidance: structuring your RM 1,000,000 paid-up capital with all required secretarial resolutions, drafting the ministry-compliant business plan, preparing all online portal lodgments, coordinating with local council and signboard vendors, and bridging your approved license into your Expatriate Employment Pass visa applications.
DISCLAIMER: The criteria, capital thresholds, guidelines, and processing timelines outlined above are for general reference purposes only. Distributive trade licensing guidelines and foreign equity participation policies are regulated under the authority of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) and relevant sector regulators, and are subject to amendments without prior notice. Final license approvals and condition requirements remain under the sole statutory discretion of the Ministry.
Foreign Clearance Trade

Get Your WRT License & Distributive Trade Clearance Fast in Malaysia.

Planning to run retail, wholesale, distribution, import/export, or restaurant operations with foreign equity? We manage your RM 1,000,000 capital structuring, unique concept presentation, and KPDN ministerial approval.

Licensed corporate secretarial, cloud accounting, and cross-border advisory firm. We empower Malaysian enterprises and foreign investors with high-standard statutory compliance, transparent fees, and guaranteed 24-hour response.

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