Business entities in Kazakhstan in 2023

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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 partnershipJoint stock companyBranch officeRepresentative office
Also known asLLPJSCBranchRepresentative office
How long to set the company up?3 weeks8 weeks4 weeks4 weeks
How long to open company bank account?4 weeks4 weeks5 weeks5 weeks
Legal liability?LimitedLimitedLimitedUnlimited
Wholly foreign owned?YesYesYesYes
Minimum paid - up share capital?US$1US$483,000US$1US$1
File annual tax return?YesYesYesNo
Tax registration certificate required?YesYesYesNo
Recommended corporate bank account?Halyk BankAltyn BankCitibankSberbank
Does our Client need to travel?NoNoNoNo
Resident director required?NoNoNoNo
Resident shareholder required?NoNoNoNo
Minimum directors allowed?1111
Minimum shareholders?1111
Tax identification code needed?YesYesYesNo
Corporate agent required?NoNoYesNo
Corporate shareholders allowed?YesYesYesYes
Corporate director(s) allowed?NoNoNoYes
Statutory audit required?NoYesNoNo
Kazakhstan corporate tax rate?20%20%20%0%
Annual financial statements required?YesYesYesNo
Regulated by?Ministry of JusticeMinistry of JusticeMinistry of JusticeMinistry of Justice
Allowed to issue sales invoices?YesYesYesNo
Allowed to sign contracts?YesYesYesNo
Allowed to import and export goods?YesYesYesNo
Can rent an office space in Kazakhstan?YesYesYesYes
Can buy Kazakhstan property?YesYesYesNo
Total Kazakhstan business setup costs in yr. 1?US$13,220US$14,550US$14,700US$13,550
Subsequent annual costs (incl. accounting and tax fee)?US$3,400US$3,400US$3,400US$3,400
Sample engagement invoiceView invoice PDFView invoice PDFView invoice PDFView invoice PDF

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