Kazakhstan e-Residency 2026: What It Gives, How Much It Costs and How to Get It
Kazakhstan’s digital status for $120 per year: remote bank account, IIN, eSIM and company registration in the AIFC. Not a residence permit and not tax residency. Official facts from eresidency.gov.kz.
- cost per year
- $120
- business days to issue
- 1–3
- banks with remote opening (Oct 2026)
- 2
Kazakhstan e-Residency: Full Breakdown of Benefits, Limitations and Application Process
Kazakhstan e-Residency is a digital identifier that provides remote access to the country’s financial and business services: opening a bank account with a Kazakhstani bank, registering a company in the AIFC, investment services and an eSIM with a Kazakhstani number. After online verification you receive a Digital Identity Card and an IIN for use in digital environments. The status is not a visa, residence permit or citizenship — there is no need to travel to Kazakhstan. The fixed cost is 120 US dollars per year; the process usually takes 1 to 3 business days.
The programme operator is Verum Payments Limited, a private company registered in the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC); the regulator is AFSA. The programme is implemented as part of a state initiative of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
What Is Kazakhstan e-Residency
Kazakhstan e-Residency is a digital identifier that gives foreign nationals and stateless persons remote access to selected financial and business services of the Republic of Kazakhstan. According to the official definition on the programme website, after completing online verification the applicant receives a Digital Identity Card and an IIN intended exclusively for the electronic environment.
The key limitation is stated directly: eResidency is not a visa, residence permit or citizenship. There is no need to travel to Kazakhstan to obtain or confirm the status. The e-resident’s IIN does not replace the regular IIN issued through public service centres and does not grant access to the eGov and eLicense portals.
What an e-Resident Receives
After successfully passing the check (usually 1–3 business days) an e-resident receives:
- Digital Identity Card and IIN for the digital environment.
- The ability to open a personal or corporate bank account with partner banks in Kazakhstan (as of October 2026 — Freedom Bank and RBK Bank; account opening is not guaranteed and depends on the bank’s internal compliance).
- eSIM with a Kazakhstani number.
- Access to investment services.
- The ability to register companies exclusively in the AIFC (automated submission of applications via the app is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026).
Registration of a company in the national jurisdiction of the Republic of Kazakhstan (ordinary LLP) using the e-Residency IIN is not provided. An electronic digital signature for e-residents is planned for launch in the fourth quarter of 2026.
How Much e-Residency Costs
The fixed cost of participation in the programme is 120 US dollars per year, with no hidden fees. The payment is non-refundable if the application is denied based on KYC/AML or sanctions screening.
The cost of the status does not include opening a bank account or issuing a card — terms and tariffs are set by partner banks independently. Some banks offer cards free of charge.
How to Get e-Residency: Step by Step
To obtain Kazakhstan e-Residency you need to complete three main steps entirely online:
- Download the eResidency app.
- Complete identity verification (a biometric passport with a chip is required).
- Wait for the issuance of the Digital Identity Card and IIN (usually 1–3 business days).
After obtaining the status and IIN there is no need to visit the Republic of Kazakhstan for additional confirmations. All operations under the programme are performed remotely. Citizens of the Russian Federation who are not under sanctions may apply but undergo Enhanced Due Diligence.
Bank Account and Partners
e-Resident status allows remote opening of personal and corporate accounts with second-tier banks in Kazakhstan. As of October 2026, remote account opening is available at Freedom Bank and RBK Bank. Connection of Bereke Bank was expected in July 2026.
Obtaining the status and IIN does not guarantee account opening. The bank conducts its own AML/KYC check, may request additional documents and confirmation of the source of funds, and has the right to refuse without explanation.
Company Registration in the AIFC
Electronic residents can register companies exclusively on the territory of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). The ability to automatically submit applications for registration of legal entities via the eResidency app is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026.
Registration of a company in the national jurisdiction of the Republic of Kazakhstan using the e-Residency IIN is not provided.
Tax Status and CRS
Obtaining e-Residency status, an IIN and a Digital Identity Card does not automatically create tax residency in the Republic of Kazakhstan and does not exempt you from tax obligations in your country of actual residence. Kazakhstan tax residency is determined by the criterion of actual presence on the territory of the country.
Kazakhstan participates in the OECD Common Reporting Standard (CRS). Information about non-residents’ accounts is automatically transmitted to the tax authorities of the applicant’s country of tax residency (name, date of birth, TIN, year-end balance, gross income). Transmission is carried out through the State Revenue Committee once a year.
What e-Residency Does Not Give
Kazakhstan e-Residency does not grant the right to enter, reside or work in the country. The procedure for obtaining the status is not connected with the procedures for obtaining a visa, residence permit or permanent residence.
The status cannot be used to circumvent sanctions. The programme screens against UN, EU, OFAC, UK HMT, FATF and national lists. Persons from FATF blacklisted jurisdictions (DPRK, Iran, Myanmar) and those under sanctions cannot apply.
The e-resident’s IIN does not grant access to the eGov and eLicense government portals. An eSIM outside Kazakhstan has restrictions on incoming SMS and works mainly in data-only mode.
Who e-Residency Kazakhstan Is Suitable For
The programme is useful for entrepreneurs and startups who need remote access to a bank account and the ability to work through the AIFC; investors interested in Kazakhstan’s financial services; IT specialists, freelancers and digital nomads who find a Kazakhstani number and banking infrastructure convenient. For tourists and non-residents the status provides simplified access to certain banking services without relocation.
Methodology and Sources
All key facts have been verified against the official programme website eresidency.gov.kz (FAQ, Compliance / Sanctions, Tax Status sections) as of October 2026. Operator — Verum Payments Limited (AIFC), regulator — AFSA. Data on partner banks and launch dates of individual services may be updated — current information should be checked in the eResidency app and on the official website.
This material is not legal or tax advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does e-Residency give the right to live in Kazakhstan?
No. It is a digital status for access to financial and business services. It is not a visa or residence permit.
Is bank account opening guaranteed?
No. The bank makes an independent decision after its own check.
Does the status create tax residency in Kazakhstan?
No. Tax residency is determined by actual presence. Kazakhstan transmits data under CRS.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
120 US dollars per year. Usually 1–3 business days fully online.
Can Russian citizens obtain the status?
Yes, if they are not under sanctions. Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) is required.
Can I register an ordinary LLP?
No. Only a company in the AIFC.
