Business entities in Kazakhstan in 2024

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Healy Consultants will assist our Clients to establish the optimal business structure in Kazakhstan. There are several ways of doing business in Kazakhstan, the most popular method being to set up a limited liability partnership. Foreign entrepreneurs may also opt to set up a joint stock company, a branch office or a representative office.

The Kazakhstan limited liability partnership (LLP)

Kazakhstan company setup services for different business entity types

  • As Kazakh company law does not provide for limited liability companies, the Kazakhstan limited liability partnership is the most common form of legal entity used by foreigners and locals alike to conduct business in the country. Unlike partnerships in most other countries, Kazakh limited partnerships partnerships do not subject their owners to unlimited liability for the partnership’s losses. Using such an entity for Kazakhstan business set-up will therefore not expose our Client’s personal assets to any risk in the event that their business runs into difficulty;
  • A Kazakhstan limited liability partnership can be set up by a single partner, who can be of any nationality. Our Client must also i) invest a minimum of US$1 in the partnership’s capital and ii) appoint one director, who must be an individual;
  • All legal documents must be translated into either Kazakh – which is the state language of Kazakhstan – or Russian, which is the 2nd official language of the country. All translations also have to be notarized before submission for incorporation.

The Kazakhstan joint stock company (JSC)

  • The Kazakhstan joint stock company (JSC) requires a minimum paid-up share capital of US$483,000, and must have at least 1 director who must be a natural person. Only one shareholder of any nationality is required to complete the incorporation process. All incorporation documents must be translated and submitted in Kazakh or Russian and notarized by the nearest Kazakh notary public;
  • A Kazakhstan JSC is legally required to submit audited financial statements annually. It also must issue shares to raise funds to support its business activities.

The Kazakhstan branch office

  • Foreign companies may establish branch offices in Kazakhstan by appointing a local representative. A branch does not require capital injection from its parent company to commence operations in Kazakhstan. The branch office must maintain a registered office in Kazakhstan.

The Kazakhstan representative office

  • While the Kazakhstan representative office can be 100% foreign owned, it is not allowed to make direct sales within Kazakhstan. Consequently, this entity can only engage in i) market research and ii) promoting the business of the parent company.

Table of comparison between Kazakhstan entities

Limited liability partnership Joint stock company Branch office Representative office
Also known as LLP JSC Branch Representative office
How long to set the company up? 3 weeks 8 weeks 4 weeks 4 weeks
How long to open company bank account? 4 weeks 4 weeks 5 weeks 5 weeks
Legal liability? Limited Limited Limited Unlimited
Wholly foreign owned? Yes Yes Yes Yes
Minimum paid - up share capital? US$1 US$483,000 US$1 US$1
File annual tax return? Yes Yes Yes No
Tax registration certificate required? Yes Yes Yes No
Recommended corporate bank account? Halyk Bank Altyn Bank Citibank Sberbank
Does our Client need to travel? No No No No
Resident director required? No No No No
Resident shareholder required? No No No No
Minimum directors allowed? 1 1 1 1
Minimum shareholders? 1 1 1 1
Tax identification code needed? Yes Yes Yes No
Corporate agent required? No No Yes No
Corporate shareholders allowed? Yes Yes Yes Yes
Corporate director(s) allowed? No No No Yes
Statutory audit required? No Yes No No
Kazakhstan corporate tax rate? 20% 20% 20% 0%
Annual financial statements required? Yes Yes Yes No
Regulated by? Ministry of Justice Ministry of Justice Ministry of Justice Ministry of Justice
Allowed to issue sales invoices? Yes Yes Yes No
Allowed to sign contracts? Yes Yes Yes No
Allowed to import and export goods? Yes Yes Yes No
Can rent an office space in Kazakhstan? Yes Yes Yes Yes
Can buy Kazakhstan property? Yes Yes Yes No
Total Kazakhstan business setup costs in yr. 1? US$13,220 US$14,550 US$14,700 US$13,550
Subsequent annual costs (incl. accounting and tax fee)? US$3,400 US$3,400 US$3,400 US$3,400
Sample engagement invoice View invoice PDF View invoice PDF View invoice PDF View invoice PDF

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Contact us

For additional information on our business setup services in Kazakhstan, please contact our in-house country expert, Mr. Simon Guidecoq, directly:
client relationship officer - Simon