Licences & permits
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Rules to know first
From the platform knowledge base; each point lists its legal basis and source. The official text prevails; this is not legal advice.
How do I set up a logistics company in Almaty and what permits are needed for freight transport?
Usually you first register an LLP (TOO): a private-business legal entity is registered within one working day of an e-application; with foreign founders lacking an IIN, no later than the working day after filing (Art. 9, Law No. 2198). The licence list of the Law on Permits and Notifications covers bus passenger transport and rail freight, not domestic road freight. International road haulage requires an admission certificate and a vehicle admission card from the competent authority (Art. 45, Law on Road Transport); dangerous goods need separate permits. As of October 2026.
Basis：Закон РК «О государственной регистрации юридических лиц и учетной регистрации филиалов и представительств» № 2198 от 17.04.1995 ст. 9；Закон РК «Об автомобильном транспорте» № 476 от 04.07.2003 ст. 45 п. 3；Закон РК «О разрешениях и уведомлениях» № 202-V от 16.05.2014 прил. 1 п. 75–76; прил. 2 п. 12–13, 34
Source：adilet.zan.kz：Закон № 2198 О государственной регистрации юридических лиц；adilet.zan.kz：Закон № 476 Об автомобильном транспорте；adilet.zan.kz：Закон № 202-V О разрешениях и уведомлениях
Does a foreign CEO need a work permit in Kazakhstan
Under the list to Government Resolution No. 1041 of 24 November 2023 (item 16), the first head and one deputy of a Kazakh legal entity with 100% foreign ownership (no more than one person per position) do not need a work permit. Other foreign employees need a permit within the employer's quota. Cross-reference: Migration Law, Art. 36-1(2)(8).
Basis：Постановление Правительства РК № 1041 от 24.11.2023 (в ред. постановления № 635 от 18.08.2025) перечень, п. 16；Закон РК «О миграции населения» № 477-IV от 22.07.2011 ст. 36-1 п. 2 пп. 8
Source：Закон РК «О миграции населения» № 477-IV (adilet)；Постановление Правительства РК № 1041 от 24.11.2023 (adilet)
Which sectors restrict foreign ownership in Kazakhstan
Restrictions on foreign investors: media 20%, backbone telecom network 49%, airlines 49%, private security activity prohibited; foreigners and companies with foreign participation may not own or lease agricultural land; border-zone land is closed; the State has pre-emption/priority review rights for large oil and gas fields, uranium and Caspian shelf deals. (From a consultancy overview; sector laws have not been checked.)
Basis：未找到一手原文（待核）：各行业专门法 —
Source：Esplora Legal: foreign ownership rules in Kazakhstan 2026
permits for building a feed plant in Kazakhstan
Under Law No. 202-V on Permits and Notifications: organisations producing, storing and selling feed and feed additives need confirmation of an accounting number (Annex 2, item 102, second-category permit); feed additives need a registration certificate (Annex 2, item 375); the start of construction and installation works requires a notification (Annex 3, item 3). Only items listed in the Law's annexes are covered; land, environmental and other procedures are not covered here. The requirements apply nationwide.
Basis：Закон РК «О разрешениях и уведомлениях» № 202-V от 16.05.2014 приложение 2, пп. 102 и 375; приложение 3, п. 3
Source：Закон РК № 202-V «О разрешениях и уведомлениях» (adilet, 俄文官方文本)
Opening a bank account in Kazakhstan for a foreign company
Opening an account usually takes 1–3 working days; banks require disclosure of the ultimate beneficial owner and, for foreign companies, often the director's personal attendance. Currency-control thresholds depend on the type of transaction — confirm with the bank and the National Bank of Kazakhstan. (Based on a legal-practice blog.)
Basis：未找到一手原文（待核）：валютное законодательство РК / Правила Национального Банка —
Source：QazLegalConsult: регистрация компании в Казахстане 2026 (юр. блог, вторичный источник)
MFCA substantial presence
AIFC participants enjoy tax benefits, but from 2026 substantial-presence requirements apply: direct income ratio of at least 0.5; personnel cost ratios (IT 0.25, consulting 0.30, crypto/funds 0.35–0.40); operating expense ratio of at least 0.15. If not met, CIT is recovered at 20%; the annual report goes to AFSA by 31 March. (From a secondary source; the constitutional statute and AFSA rules could not be opened.)
Basis：Конституционный закон РК «О Международном финансовом центре «Астана» ст. 6 — не проверено (страница не открылась)；Правила AFSA о существенном присутствии — (текст не открывался)
Source：finance.kz: правила существенного присутствия МФЦА；AIFC: налоговые льготы
C5 business immigrant visa Kazakhstan
A foreign individual establishing a company normally needs a C5 business-immigrant visa (single entry, up to 90 days, issued by missions on an invitation); C3 is the labour visa. Under Art. 40 of the Migration Law a business immigrant must register a legal entity within 2 months. Processing times are set by the competent bodies.
Basis：Совместный приказ МИД РК № 11-1-2/555 от 24.11.2016 и МВД РК № 1100 от 28.11.2016 (рег. МЮ № 14531) Правила оформления виз: категории С3, С5；Закон РК «О миграции населения» № 477-IV от 22.07.2011 ст. 40 (деловой иммигрант)
Source：Правила оформления визы РК, совместный приказ МИД/МВД (adilet)；Закон РК «О миграции населения» № 477-IV (adilet)；QazLegalConsult: регистрация компании в Казахстане 2026 (юр. блог, вторичный источник)
Do companies need to notify the regulator before processing personal data in Kazakhstan?
Owners, operators and third parties must notify the authorised body before they start and before they stop processing personal data; the details go into a register of personal data processors within 30 working days. Small and medium owners and operators may process data without notification. The notice states protection measures, start date, any cross-border transfer, the data collected and where the database or digital object is located (Art. 10-1 of Law No. 94-V, added by Law No. 326-VIII of 24 June 2026, in force 60 days after publication). As of October 2026.
Basis：Закон Республики Казахстан «О персональных данных и их защите» № 94-V от 21.05.2013 ст. 10-1 пп. 1–5；Закон Республики Казахстан № 326-VIII от 24.06.2026 «О внесении изменений и дополнений в некоторые законодательные акты РК по вопросам цифровизации, защиты персональных данных…» ст. 1 п. 37; ст. 2 п. 1 (60 календарных дней после первого официального опубликования 25.06.2026)
Source：Закон РК № 94-V о персональных данных — ИПС «Әділет» (ред. с изм. Закона № 326-VIII)；Закон РК № 326-VIII от 24.06.2026 — ИПС «Әділет» (опубл. «Казахстанская правда» № 117 от 25.06.2026)
Last checked：2026-10-24 · Reviewed by：YAO · Legal texts: the official version on adilet.zan.kz prevails.