How to apply for a C5 business visa for a foreign citizen?
30.05.2023
A foreigner who wants to open a company in Kazakhstan or join an existing LLP as a member needs a C5 business immigrant visa. Without it, or without a business immigrant temporary residence permit (TRP), a foreigner may not set up a legal entity or become a member of one (Article 40(2) of the Law “On Population Migration”). The exception is foreigners with a residence permit and stateless persons with a stateless person’s certificate. Below: how to get a C5 visa step by step — who takes part, where to apply and what to do after entry.
C5 visa or TRP
A C5 visa is issued to foreigners who need a visa to enter Kazakhstan and to those who enter visa-free unilaterally. Citizens of states that have ratified visa-free entry and stay agreements with Kazakhstan, such as Russia and other EAEU countries, receive a business immigrant TRP instead of a visa (Article 39(2) of the Law). Which option fits whom and how a TRP is issued — see “C5 visa and business immigrant TRP in Kazakhstan”.
Who takes part
- The business immigrant provides the details for the invitation, collects the documents and files them with a Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
- The inviting entity is a Kazakh company that issues the invitation. If the foreigner has no company in Kazakhstan yet, we prepare the invitation.
- The Kazakhstan embassy or consulate issues the visa. Business immigrant visas are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Kazakhstan’s foreign missions for up to two years (Article 39(2)), and for ethnic Kazakhs for up to three years (Article 39(3)).
How to get a C5 visa: step by step
- Details for the invitation. A copy of the passport, the consulate where the visa will be collected, address and employer abroad, what the company will do and where the foreigner will stay in Kazakhstan. If the LLP is already registered — its details: BIN, address, business activities, details of the director. The full list is on the service page.
- Invitation. We prepare it within 14 working days once the details and the passport copy are collected.
- Filing with the consulate. The Law (Article 39(1)) requires a business immigrant to provide a medical certificate, medical insurance and a certificate on the presence or absence of a criminal record and of a court ban on business activity. Since 17 November 2024 the Visa Rules have shortened this list, and in practice the visa is issued on the shorter list — see “Changes to the C5 visa process for business immigrants”. We check the exact list with the consulate before filing.
- Entry. From the day of entry, two months run for the next step.
- Company and charter capital. Within two months the business immigrant must register a company, depositing at least the minimum charter capital with a Kazakh bank on registration, or join an existing one as a member (Article 40(2)). Otherwise the internal affairs authorities, at the request of the local executive body (akimat), shorten the stay to the time needed to leave.
- Extension. After the company is registered, we help extend the visa.
Where to apply
The visa can be obtained not only in the country of citizenship. If a foreigner permanently lives in another country, for example in the UAE, they file the documents with the Kazakhstan mission in that country and add a copy of their residence permit to the details for the invitation.
Key points
- A tourist or other visa does not allow registering an LLP or joining one as a member: a business immigrant visa or TRP is required (Article 40(2)).
- Doing business is a mandatory condition of a business immigrant’s stay in Kazakhstan (Article 40(1)).
- A business immigrant may apply for family members to enter Kazakhstan for family reunification (Article 27 of the Law).
How we help
We prepare the invitation, check the documents before filing with the consulate, carry out the registration of an LLP with foreign participation and help extend the visa. Fees for the invitation, the business immigrant TRP and the C3 visa are on the “C5 visa and business immigrant TRP in Kazakhstan” page.
The first consultation is free. Call us: +7 700 500 05 53 or write on WhatsApp.