Question 1

What is eResidency?

Accepted Answer

eResidency is a digital identifier for remote access to financial and business services in Kazakhstan: opening a bank account with a Kazakhstani bank, registering a company in the AIFC, investment services, and an eSIM with a Kazakhstani number.
After online verification you receive a Digital Identity Card and an IIN for use in digital environments. eResidency is not a visa, residence permit, or citizenship — there is no need to travel to Kazakhstan.

Question 2

Who can apply?

Accepted Answer

A foreign national or stateless person aged 18 or older may apply, provided they:

are not subject to international sanctions (UN, EU, OFAC, UK HMT);
are not a resident or citizen of FATF-blacklisted jurisdictions (DPRK, Iran, Myanmar) or other restricted jurisdictions.

Russian Federation citizens not under sanctions may apply, subject to Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD).
The final decision is made by the programme operator based on KYC/AML and sanctions screening. The registration fee is non-refun

Question 3

What do I get after submitting my application?

Accepted Answer

After submitting your application, you will receive a Digital Identity Card and IIN, a Kazakhstan eSIM, the ability to open a bank account, and access to digital and business services.‍

Question 4

Who CANNOT apply?

Accepted Answer

The following cannot apply:

Persons under 18 years of age
Residents and citizens of FATF-blacklisted jurisdictions (DPRK, Iran, Myanmar)
Individuals on UN, EU Consolidated, OFAC SDN/SSI, UK HMT, Swiss SECO or AFM Kazakhstan sanctions lists
PEPs from sanctioned jurisdictions and their relatives or close associates (RCAs)
Persons engaged in activities falling under the EU's 14th and subsequent sanctions packages (Council Reg. 833/2014 as amended)
Persons previously deprived of e-residency status

Question 5

Who is the programme operator and who regulates it?

Accepted Answer

The programme operator is Verum Payments Limited, a private company registered in the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC).

Business Identification Number: 231240900271
Registered address: 55/23 Mangilik El Ave., Office 133, Astana, Kazakhstan
Regulator: Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA)

The programme is implemented as part of a state programme of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan. IINs are issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan.

Question 6

How does the programme screen applicants against sanctions lists?

Accepted Answer

Upon application, real-time screening is conducted against:

UN Security Council Consolidated List;
EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List;
OFAC SDN List and Sectoral Sanctions Identifications List (SSI);
UK HMT Consolidated List;
Swiss SECO Sanctions List;
FATF Black and Grey Lists;
AFM Kazakhstan national list;
PEPs and Adverse Media databases.

Lists are updated within 24 hours of official updates by sanctions authorities. Active e-residents are additionally re-screened daily.

Question 7

What happens if an e-resident is added to a sanctions list after obtaining status?

Accepted Answer

If an active e-resident is added to a sanctions list, the programme:

Suspends e-residency status within 24 hours.
Notifies relevant regulatory and law enforcement authorities as required by applicable law.
Notifies the e-resident, where permitted by the applicable sanctions regime.
Provides an opportunity to appeal within 30 calendar days, where applicable.
Upon confirmation of sanctions status, initiates IIN revocation through the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan.

Question 8

Does eResidency create tax residency in Kazakhstan?

Accepted Answer

No. Obtaining e-residency status, an IIN and a Digital Identity Card does not automatically create tax residency in the Republic of Kazakhstan and does not exempt you from tax obligations in your country of actual residence.
Kazakhstan tax residency is determined by the Tax Code based on actual presence criteria.
Important: Kazakhstan participates in the OECD Common Reporting Standard (CRS). Information about your transactions in Kazakhstani banks is automatically shared with the tax authorities

Question 9

What data about me is shared with my country of tax residency (CRS)?

Accepted Answer

The Republic of Kazakhstan participates in the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement (MCAA) and automatically shares financial-account information of non-residents under the OECD Common Reporting Standard (CRS).
Data shared includes:

full name;
date of birth;
taxpayer identification number in the country of tax residency;
account balance at year-end;
gross interest, dividends and other income.

Data is transmitted through the State Revenue Committee of Kazakhstan (KGD) once per year.

Question 10

Can eResidency be used to circumvent sanctions?

Accepted Answer

No. The eResidency programme has built-in sanctions screening and jurisdiction restrictions.
Every application is screened against: UN Consolidated List, EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List, OFAC SDN/SSI, UK HMT Consolidated List, Swiss SECO, FATF Black/Grey lists, and AFM Kazakhstan lists.
The programme does not accept applications from residents and citizens of sanctioned jurisdictions or from sanctioned individuals. If an active e-resident is added to a sanctions list after obtaining sta

Question 11

Can I open a bank account?

Accepted Answer

Yes. eResident status allows you to remotely open personal and corporate accounts in Kazakhstan’s second-tier banks.‍

Question 12

Does the cost of obtaining e-resident status in Kazakhstan include issuing a payment card at a partner bank?

Accepted Answer

No The cost of obtaining e-Resident status under the state eResidency program does not include opening a bank account and issuing a payment card.The conditions and costs for opening a bank account and issuing payment cards are set by partner banks independently. Some banks offer cards free of charge, others according to their own rates.‍

Question 13

Is opening a bank account with a partner bank guaranteed after obtaining eResidency status and issuing an IIN?

Accepted Answer

Obtaining eResidency status and IIN does not guarantee opening a bank account.Partner banks take into account the results of AML/KYC inspections conducted as part of registration with eResidency, and in accordance with internal procedures and legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, banks have the right to: • request additional information and documents from the client; • request confirmation of the source of funds and/or business purpose; • conduct your own due diligence before establishing a

Question 14

How and when will I be able to digitally sign using eResidency?

Accepted Answer

Currently, together with the state bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan, mechanisms for obtaining an electronic digital signature are being finalized, designed specifically for electronic residents of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The service is scheduled to be launched in the second quarter of 2026.‍

Question 15

How can I pay for eResidency?

Accepted Answer

Payment is accepted via:

International payment system cards: Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay.
Cryptocurrency (stablecoins): USDT (Tether), USDC (Circle) — via approved crypto providers.

All payments undergo AML checks and sanctions screening. Crypto transactions are additionally subject to KYT checks per FATF Recommendation 16 (Travel Rule). Payments from sanctioned addresses are rejected.
The registration fee is non-refundable if the application is denied based on KYC or sanctions screening.

Question 16

Which banks are currently opening accounts for e-residents under the eResidency program without physical presence?

Accepted Answer

Currently, remote account opening for e-Residents (e-Resident) is available at the following banks:Freedom BankRBK bankIn January 2026, accounts are expected to be opened and cards issued in:RBK bankBCCBereke BankWe update information regularly and recommend that you check the current status in the eResidency app on the Services tab and in this section of the site.

Question 17

What services are included in eSIM?

Accepted Answer

eSIM eResidency services when used outside the Republic of Kazakhstan include:• incoming SMS messages that are received only from numbers included in the “white-list” pre-approved by the eResidency Program Operator;• Data-only packages remain available at current rates. When physical entry eSIM users to Kazakhstan will be connected to a full range of services (including incoming/outgoing SMS, voice communication and data transmission) in accordance with current tariffs. When leaving Kazakhstan,

Question 18

How can I start a business in Kazakhstan after obtaining e-resident status?

Accepted Answer

Electronic residents can register companies exclusively on the territory of the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC).The ability to automatically submit applications for registration of legal entities at the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC) through the eResidency application is scheduled for second quarter of 2026.Registration of a company in the national jurisdiction of the Republic of Kazakhstan using the eResidency IIN is not provided.‍

Question 19

What is the expiry date of the eResidency status?

Accepted Answer

The e-Residency status is granted for a period of 12 months from the date of activation.To maintain the status and access to the program's services, you must renew eResidency annually by paying for the service for the next period.If the renewal is not completed, your eResidency status is suspended and you will lose access to certain program services, including the ability to open new accounts/products with program partners.An order is also sent to partner banks to limit the operations of account

Question 20

Who can benefit from the eResidency program?

Accepted Answer

The program is useful for entrepreneurs and startups to open companies and accounts online, investors to access stock exchanges and international opportunities, IT specialists, freelancers, and digital nomads to work with clients and services, as well as tourists and non-residents for easy access to banking services and communication. eResidency provides equal opportunities for everyone who wants to be part of Kazakhstan’s digital and financial ecosystem.‍

Question 21

Is it possible to access government services, such as eGov or eLicense, with the eResidency IIN?

Accepted Answer

No Government portals, including eGov and eLicense, are intended only for residents of the Republic of Kazakhstan who permanently reside in the Republic of Kazakhstan.The e-Residency IIN is not analogous to the IIN issued to citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan, foreigners or stateless persons located in the Republic of Kazakhstan and cannot be used in public services.The eResidency IIN is used in a separate ecosystem and provides foreign investors with access to the services of the eResidency

Question 22

Do I get the status of a tax resident in Kazakhstan when applying for an eResidency and issuing an IIN?

Accepted Answer

No. Obtaining the status of an electronic resident of the Republic of Kazakhstan does not imply obtaining the status of a tax resident.‍

Question 23

Does e-resident status make it easier to obtain a Kazakh visa or a residence permit/permanent residence permit? And vice versa?

Accepted Answer

No. The procedure for obtaining e-resident status and procedures for obtaining a visa, residence permit or permanent residence are not connected. The procedures for obtaining a Kazakh visa or a residence permit/permanent residence are regulated by separate legal regulations of the Republic of Kazakhstan.‍

Question 24

Do I need to travel to Kazakhstan?

Accepted Answer

It all takes place online. Verification takes a few minutes, followed by a quick additional check. You usually get access to services within a short time.After obtaining e-Resident status and issuing an IIN, there is no need to visit the Republic of Kazakhstan to confirm your identity and other additional procedures. All activities under the eResidency program are performed remotely.

Question 25

How long does the process take?

Accepted Answer

Everything is completed online. Verification takes just a few minutes, followed by a quick additional review. The entire process usually takes from 1 to 3 business days, after which you gain access to the services.

Question 26

How much does eResidency cost?

Accepted Answer

A fixed price — $499 per year, no hidden fees.‍