Your first month after the move sets the pace for the entire relocation. Most procedures in Kazakhstan are interlinked: without an IIN you can't open a bank account, and without an account and a digital signature public services are hard to use. Below is a sequence that helps avoid unnecessary visits and delays.
Before you arrive
- Check whether you need a visa and how long you are allowed to stay
- Get a notarised translation of your passport
- If you plan to work or do business, decide on the legal basis for your stay in advance
First days: immigration registration
Foreigners generally must be registered at their place of stay. The notification is usually filed by the host — a landlord, hotel or employer — within the set deadline. Confirm in advance who will do it and when: missing the deadline can lead to a fine.
Week 1: IIN and mobile number
The IIN is the key to everything else. You can obtain it in person or in advance, remotely under a power of attorney. At the same time, get a Kazakh phone number: you'll need it for the bank, eGov and most services.
Week 2: bank account
With an IIN and a passport you can open a personal account. Document requirements vary by bank and by your status; some banks also ask for proof of address or of your basis for staying.
Weeks 2–3: digital signature
The electronic digital signature gives access to the eGov portal and online public services. Obtaining it for the first time usually requires a visit to a Public Service Centre.
Weeks 3–4: long-term status
- Employment — a work permit or another legal basis
- Your own business — company registration and business immigration
- Long-term residence — preparing for a residence permit
Quick checklist
- Immigration registration at your place of stay
- IIN
- Kazakh phone number
- Bank account
- Digital signature and eGov access
- A plan for long-term status and document deadlines
If you're relocating with family or a team, it's easier to handle these steps as one project. We work in Astana and Almaty and can start before you arrive.
Information on this website is for reference only. Requirements change — we confirm the current rules for your case during the assessment.