Before arriving in the Republic of Kazakhstan, keep in mind that the individual identification numbers (IIN) are widely used throughout the country for natural persons to receive digital public services, pay taxes and other obligatory payments. Same requirements for presentation of identity cards with IIN shall be applied to foreign citizens permanently and temporarily residing in the country.
Thus, with no IIN assigned, foreign citizens cannot go through state registration of legal entities (for example, LLP) or real estate, also they cannot enter into labor relations or use bank services to open and maintain bank accounts. Therefore, for full-fledged work and doing business, foreigners need to obtain an IIN.
When the one has to obtain an IIN? Where to apply for it it and what documents to present? What is the time for issuing a processed identity card with an assigned IIN?
"Individual Identification Number" (IIN) is needed to receive any digital public services in Kazakhstan. Conventionally, this is a unique code in the database of people who have the right to receive services and public services.
To open, for example, a bank account in Kazakhstan, a foreigner needs to obtain an IIN from the State Corporation "Government for Citizens" NJSC PSC at the place of residence. This can be done personally visiting the by visiting the Public Service Centers (PSC).
What documents to be provided by the foreigner to obtain the IIN?
In order to obtain an IIN in person at the PSC , the following shall be provided:
The period for issuing an IIN certificate for foreigners is 1 business day. The IIN certificate production is totaly free for the foreigners.
After receiving the IIN at the PSC, you can immediately register with mobile citizens database (MCDB) and issue an electronic digital signature (EDS) in order to use public services in online mode.
Contact for more information:
A single contact center is 1414.
To open an account in Kazakhstan, a foreigner needs to obtain an IIN in NJSC "State Corporation "Government for Citizens" (PSC).
The Kazakhstani banks do not send bank cards by mail abroad, so the one can receive them in person. Intermediaries with a notarized power of attorney can also do this. Also, to register in the mobile banking system of Kazakhstani banks, the cardholder needs a SIM card from a local mobile operator.
To open a bank card in the Kazakhstani bank, you need to contact any branch of this bank. The exact list of documents and the rules for opening bank accounts depend on the second-tier bank you have chosen.
You must have with you:
1. A Kazakh SIM card mobile phone.
2. Passport.
3. Any of the documents confirming the presence of IIN:
- an original or a copy of tax registration certificate;
- confirmation issued by PSC – Natural person registration data;
- individual identification number registration certificate;
- document from gov.kz - Taxpayers Register of the Republic of Kazakhstan .
4. Any of the documents confirming the right to stay in Kazakhstan:
- a visa or a document replacing a visa;
- immigrant stay notice;
- notification of the foreigner arrival;
- temporary immigrant registration certificate;
- registration in the passport at the place of residence;
- stamp in the passport on crossing the border of the Republic of Kazakhstan; another document confirming the right of entry and stay of a foreigner in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The Foreign citizens who have a stamp on crossing the border of Kazakhstan can open a card within 30 days from the date of entry into the country. Other documents confirming the right to stay in Kazakhstan will not be required.
Gov. kz - a single public body internet resource platform on which you can receive public services via online (An IIN and EDS are required for that).
The country border crossing points
Kurs.kz is a list of exchange offices with addresses, exchange rates, currency calculator.
The Mobile operators to register a local Sim card with:
The air and railway tickets purchase websites:
The notification of the foreign citizen arrival is carried out in 2 ways within 3 working days from the moment of the arrival in the Republic of Kazakhstan:
The Required information/documents for filing in a notification:
Important! It is necessary to notify the migration service within 3 working days:
To obtain a residence permit in Foreigners and stateless persons temporarily staying in the Republic of Kazakhstan with a permanent residence visa, a multiple-entry investor visa issued at the request of the authorized investment body, a visa issued in accordance with the list of professions in demand for obtaining a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Kazakhstan by foreigners, or those who arrived from states that have concluded agreements with the Republic of Kazakhstan on visa-free entry and stay, or who have refugee status in the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as ethnic Kazakhs, regardless of the category of visa issued to them, personally apply to the internal affairs bodies to obtain a permanent residence permit and provide an approved list of documents.
Circumstances that can facilitate the receipt of a residence permit are previously held Kazakhstani citizenship or the birth of a foreigner in Kazakhstan, the presence of close relatives here, the presence of a profession in demand, as well as for ethnic Kazakhs.
You can read more about how to get a residence permit in the country at gov.kz.
The IIN shall be applied for the following:
The foreign citizens are required to obtain an IIN in the following cases: