PRACTICE AREA · KAZAKHSTAN
Business Formation in Kazakhstan
Bond Stone advises international investors on business formation in Kazakhstan — from entity selection and registration through licensing, corporate changes, immigration support, and voluntary dissolution. On-the-ground teams in Almaty and Astana.
Kazakhstan offers 1-business-day LLP registration via egov.kz, no minimum charter capital for small businesses, 100% foreign ownership outside restricted industries, and a parallel common law framework, the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), for fintech, digital assets and international holding structures. Bond Stone has advised on company formations in Kazakhstan across energy, mining, financial services, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and technology since 2007.
Legal Structures Available in Kazakhstan
LLP (LLC) — Limited Liability Partnership
Most widely used structure for foreign investors. Minimum charter capital is zero for a small business and otherwise 100 MCI (KZT 432,500 at the 2026 rate). 100% foreign ownership permitted. The first head of a 100% foreign-owned LLP, and one deputy, need no employer permit and use the C3 visa route (Government Resolution No. 1041, Annex 1, item 16). Registration via egov.kz within 1 business day.
Registration: 1 business day
JSC — Joint Stock Company
Required for banking, insurance, and securities. Public and private forms. Mandatory audit and enhanced disclosure. Minimum capital set by the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market per sector. Governed by Law No. 415-II (as amended 2024).
Registration: 3–5 business days
AIFC Entity — Company or LLP
Incorporated within the AIFC under AIFC law, based on English common law. Corporate income tax exemption to 2066 on qualifying services only. AIFC Court dispute resolution. Preferred for fintech, digital assets, investment management, and international holding structures.
Registration: by the AIFC Registrar; we found no statutory period
Branch / Representative Office
Branch may conduct commercial activity. Representative office limited to non-commercial liaison and marketing. No minimum capital. Head of branch may be a foreign national without a work permit. Record registration with the Ministry of Justice.
Registration: 3 working days
Kazakhstan Formation — Detailed Guides
Key Facts — Business Formation in Kazakhstan
| Factor | LLP | AIFC Entity | Branch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. charter capital | Zero for small businesses; otherwise 100 MCI | None for a private company; USD 100,000 for a public company (AIFC Companies Regulations, s. 43) | None |
| Foreign ownership | 100% permitted | 100% permitted | Not applicable — parent bears full liability |
| Governing law | Kazakhstani civil law | English common law | Kazakhstani civil law |
| Corporate income tax | 20% on worldwide income | Exempt to 2066 on qualifying services only; otherwise 20% | 20% on branch income, plus 15% tax on net income |
| Dispute forum | Kazakhstani courts / arbitration | AIFC Court — English language | Kazakhstani courts / arbitration |
| EAEU membership | Yes — since 2015 | Yes | Yes |
| Registration timeline | 1 business day — egov.kz | Set by the AIFC Registrar | 3 working days |
Selected Experience — Kazakhstan
Bond Stone has advised on company formations, branch registrations, licensing mandates, and corporate restructurings in Kazakhstan since 2007 — across energy, mining, pharmaceuticals, financial services, manufacturing, trading, and technology sectors.
100+
Formations, branch registrations & restructurings in Kazakhstan since 2007
15+
Sectors covered across all Bond Stone Kazakhstan mandates
10+
Parent company jurisdictions — China, Germany, Turkey, UAE, Ireland, USA and others
8
AIFC RLA specialisations — Corporate & M&A, Digital Assets, Banking & Finance and more
Chinese investors — EPC, trading & manufacturing
Multiple LLP formations for Chinese EPC contractors, commodity traders, and manufacturing investors entering Kazakhstan — including sector licence applications and AIFC entity structuring for holding and financing structures.
Pharmaceutical & healthcare sector entries
Representative office registrations and full de-registrations for international companies in Kazakhstan — including Biopharma Pharmaceuticals Factory LLC (pharmaceuticals) and DNV GL Kazakhstan (part of an international certification group). Sector licensing under the Code on Public Health.
AIFC fintech & digital asset structuring
AIFC company and LLP formations combined with AFSA licensing strategy for digital asset exchanges, payment services providers, and investment management firms.
Joint ventures & minority shareholder protection
Founding document packages for international joint ventures with Kazakhstani partners — Kazakhstani-law Articles combined with AIFC-governed Shareholders Agreements providing pre-emption rights, deadlock resolution, and common law exit mechanisms.
Why Bond Stone for Kazakhstan Formation
- AIFC Registered Legal Adviser — authorised to advise on both Kazakhstani civil law and AIFC English common law on one mandate
- Ranked Legal 500 EMEA and IFLR1000 for Corporate & M&A in Kazakhstan
- On-the-ground teams in Almaty and Astana — direct Ministry of Justice and AIFC registrar liaison
- Full-service formation — entity selection, founding documents, apostille coordination, BIN registration, bank account, and sector licence on one engagement
- Document packages in Kazakh, Russian, and English — all produced in-house
Primary legal authority: adilet.zan.kz · AIFC: aifc.kz
Bond Stone Kazakhstan offices: Almaty · Astana
Start your Kazakhstan formation
Contact Bond Stone for a confidential discussion about your entity structure, sector requirements, and formation timeline in Kazakhstan.
info@bondstonelaw.com
+7 (701) 729 76 72 — Almaty
Request a Confidential Consultation Kazakhstan Jurisdiction Hub → Company Formation →