How a foreigner registers an LLP in Kazakhstan: founder status, documents, registration time and first steps after registration

The LLP — TOO, a limited liability partnership — is the most common business form in Kazakhstan, including for foreign founders. Registration itself is genuinely fast. But a foreigner has several mandatory steps before it, which people often discover only after a refusal.

Step 0. The right migration status

Article 40 of the Migration Law prohibits foreign citizens from founding legal entities or joining commercial organisations unless they hold a visa or RVP as a business immigrant. The exception is immigrants with a residence permit.

In practice:

• a citizen of a visa country first obtains a C5 business immigrant visa, then registers the company;
• a citizen of a visa-free country obtains a business immigrant RVP at the akimat's request;
• a residence permit holder registers an LLP without additional migration documents;
• a foreign legal entity as founder is not checked for migration status — it proves its capacity with an extract from its commercial register.

A business immigrant has two months from entry to register the company or join one and deposit capital in a Kazakhstan bank — so prepare documents before the trip.

Step 1. IIN and digital signature

Registration is electronic, so the founder needs:

1. IIN — the individual identification number, assigned to foreigners at the Government for Citizens corporation (public service centre) on a passport with a notarised translation; in some cases via a Kazakhstan consulate abroad.
2. Digital signature (EDS) of the National Certification Authority — issued against the IIN; foreigners normally attend the service centre in person.

Founders without an IIN may register under a special procedure ("no later than the next working day"), but in practice it is simpler to obtain the IIN first — it is needed anyway for the bank, taxes and the signature.

Step 2. Documents of a foreign founder

Article 6-1 of the Law on state registration additionally requires for companies with foreign participation:

• for a founder that is a foreign legal entity: a copy of a legalised extract from the commercial register or another document proving it is a legal entity under its own law, with a notarised translation into Kazakh and Russian;
• for a founder that is a foreign individual: a copy of the passport with a notarised translation into Kazakh and Russian, and a document confirming the right to register a commercial organisation under the Migration Law — the C5 visa, the business immigrant RVP or a residence permit.

Legalisation or apostille depends on the country of origin: apostille for Hague Convention states, consular legalisation for others, none for countries with mutual recognition agreements.

Constituent documents — the charter and the foundation agreement — are not submitted when registering a small business: the company may operate under a model charter. This speeds things up but does not remove the need for a well-drafted charter when there are several founders.

Step 3. Filing and timing

For a small business the application is filed electronically through the e-Government portal with the founder's digital signature. State registration is completed within one working day of filing the electronic application (Article 9 of the Law). For companies with foreign participants without an IIN — no later than the next working day.

Medium and large businesses, as well as companies whose sole or one of the founders is a foreigner or a foreign legal entity, file with the Government for Citizens corporation; constituent documents are notarised where the law requires.

No registration fee is charged for small and medium businesses. The result is a certificate of state registration with the BIN, date, and details of the head and participants.

Including the IIN, digital signature, translations and address preparation, the realistic time "from decision to certificate" is several working days with documents ready.

Legal address

The company's location is stated at registration — official correspondence, tax notices and inspections go there. Registering "at someone's address" without a lease and the owner's consent creates risks: from a refused bank account to the address being deemed unreliable. We help find premises or an office address with a full set of supporting documents.

Charter capital

The minimum charter capital of an LLP under the Partnerships Law is 100 MCI; for small businesses zero capital is allowed. For a business immigrant this does not cancel the duty under Article 40 of the Migration Law to deposit in a Kazakhstan bank an amount not less than the minimum capital set for the legal entity being registered. Set the capital with both rules and the type of activity in mind.

After registration: checklist

• Bank account. Banks check foreign founders under their own procedures: IIN, translated passport, registration certificate, address documents.
• Tax regime. Small businesses may use the simplified declaration within the limits; VAT registration is mandatory above the turnover threshold.
• Director. Appointed by the founder's decision; a foreign director is employed in line with the migration requirements for the specific case.
• Foreign staff. For citizens of visa countries — a work permit and C3 visa; for EAEU citizens — an RVP for the contract term.
• Migration records. A company hosting foreigners files the arrival notification within three working days.

Alternative: branch or representative office

If you already have an operating company abroad, you may open a branch or representative office instead of an LLP. A branch conducts business on behalf of the parent company; a representative office only represents its interests.

Visa Navigator helps foreign founders through the whole path: determining status and obtaining a C5 visa or RVP, IIN and digital signature, collecting and translating documents, finding an address and filing for registration. Registration is performed by the Ministry of Justice through the Government for Citizens corporation; we are responsible for a complete and correct package. See the LLP registration service page.

This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. Rules and practice change — verify the current requirements as of the date you apply.