No minimum capital for small LLPs. Medium/large enterprises require 100 MCI (432,500 KZT, ~USD 870 in 2026); JSCs require 50,000 MCI. A business plan is required for visa extension.
⏱️ Duration
Initial 90-day single-entry visa, extendable to a 2-year multiple-entry visa after company registration
👪 Dependants
Yes
Spouse (married at least 1 year), children under 18, and dependent disabled parents may obtain C2 family reunification visas for up to 1 year
🛂 Citizenship Path
Yes — after 5 years
The C5 visa provides temporary residence status; after 5 years of continuous lawful residence, a foreign national may apply for permanent residence; permanent residents may apply for citizenship after a further 5 years (or 3 years if married to a Kazakhstan citizen)
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.
The visa issuance rules were updated by a Joint Order of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (No. 11-1-4/584) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (No. 749), effective 1 January 2026, which is the current governing version applicable to C5 applicants.
Requirements
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
Required Documents
Initial single-entry visa (applied at embassy abroad):
Completed visa application form with colour photograph (3.5 x 4.5 cm)
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
All applicants aged 16 and over must also complete mandatory fingerprinting (dactyloscopy), carried out at the consular post abroad or at police units when the visa is processed inside Kazakhstan. This requirement does not apply when the visa is issued in a fully electronic format.
Duration & Renewal
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, and the entire extension process can be completed without leaving Kazakhstan.
Family Members
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.
Tax Implications
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).
Capital Requirement
The business immigrant must deposit the authorised capital of the new legal entity into a Kazakh bank. For small LLPs — the most common structure for startups — there is no minimum authorised capital (0 KZT). For medium and large enterprises the minimum is 100 MCI (432,500 KZT, approximately USD 870 in 2026), and for Joint-Stock Companies it is 50,000 MCI. The 2026 Monthly Calculation Index (MCI) is 4,325 KZT.
Application Process
Secure an invitation letter with a visa support number from a Kazakhstan-registered company
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) and complete mandatory fingerprinting if aged 16+
Enter Kazakhstan and register with local migration authorities within 3 working days
Obtain an Individual Identification Number (IIN) and Electronic Digital Signature (EDS) in person at a Public Service Centre
Register a commercial organisation through the egov.kz portal, open a corporate bank account, and deposit the authorised capital
Within two months of entry, apply to the local akimat for a consent letter (approximately 15 working days)
Submit an extension application to the territorial migration service for a multiple-entry C5 visa of up to 2 years
Important Notes
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