C5 Business Immigrant Visa

The C5 Business Immigrant Visa is Kazakhstan's dedicated immigration pathway for foreign entrepreneurs who intend to establish a new company or acquire a stake in an existing business. Unlike investor visas (A5/A6) which target passive capital contributions, the C5 is designed for hands-on entrepreneurs who will actively manage and operate a business in Kazakhstan. Foreign nationals without a C5 visa are legally prohibited from establishing or becoming a founder of commercial organisations in the country.

• Intent to establish a new commercial entity (typically an LLP) or acquire a stake in an existing Kazakh company
• Valid passport with at least 3 months validity beyond the visa expiry date
• Valid medical insurance covering the period of stay
• Criminal record certificate from country of citizenship or permanent residence
• An invitation letter with visa support number from an existing Kazakhstan-registered company
• No specific educational, professional, or language requirements
• Must be at least 18 years old

Initial single-entry visa (applied at embassy abroad):

• Completed visa application form with colour photograph (3.5 x 4.5 cm)
• Valid passport
• Invitation letter with visa support number
• Medical insurance
• Criminal record certificate
• Consular fee payment receipt (approximately USD 80)

Extension to multiple-entry visa (applied within Kazakhstan):

• Original passport
• Completed visa application form with photograph
• Company application letter
• Consent letter from the local akimat (regional executive body)
• Business plan
• Power of attorney for company representative
• State fee (30 MCI, approximately USD 260)

The process follows two stages. First, a single-entry visa valid for up to 90 days is issued at a Kazakhstan embassy abroad. Within this period, the holder must register a company, deposit the authorised capital, and obtain a consent letter from the local akimat. The visa is then extended to a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 2 years (up to 3 years for ethnic Kazakhs). Extension applications must be submitted 5-30 business days before the current visa expires. Since November 2024, the entire extension process can be completed without leaving Kazakhstan.

Spouses (married at least 1 year), minor children under 18, adult unmarried children unable to support themselves due to health conditions, and dependent disabled parents may obtain C2 family reunification visas. These are multiple-entry visas valid for up to 1 year. Adult family members on C2 visas are permitted to work in Kazakhstan. The minimum marriage duration requirement was reduced from 3 years to 1 year in November 2024.

Business immigrants are subject to Kazakhstan's standard tax regime: 20% corporate income tax on profits and 10% individual income tax on salary. Tax residency is established after 183 days of presence in a calendar year. IT entrepreneurs who register through the Astana Hub technology park may qualify for significant tax incentives including 0% corporate income tax, 0% individual income tax, 0% VAT, and 0% social tax for foreign employees (valid until January 2029).

1. Secure an invitation letter with a visa support number from a Kazakhstan-registered company
2. Apply for a single-entry C5 visa at a Kazakhstan embassy or consulate abroad (processing takes 5 working days, up to 30 calendar days if National Security Committee coordination is required)
3. Enter Kazakhstan and register with local migration authorities within 3 working days
4. Obtain an Individual Identification Number (IIN) and Electronic Digital Signature (EDS) at a Public Service Centre
5. Register a commercial organisation through the egov.kz portal, open a corporate bank account, and deposit the authorised capital
6. Within two months of entry, apply to the local akimat for a consent letter (approximately 15 working days)
7. Submit an extension application to the territorial migration service for a multiple-entry C5 visa of up to 2 years

• The initial single-entry visa is cancelled upon departure from Kazakhstan, so all extension steps must be completed before leaving
• Companies registered by foreigners without a valid C5 visa may be subject to retroactive annulment by tax authorities
• EAEU citizens (Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan) and certain CIS citizens follow a parallel temporary residence permit process rather than the C5 visa
• The C5 visa holder has the right to work in Kazakhstan without a separate work permit; founders serving as directors must hold the C5, not a C3 work visa