Короткий ответ:
- C9 is Kazakhstan's national investor visa; AIFC residency is issued under the Astana International Financial Centre framework.
- C9 qualifying investment in 2026: ≥ 150,000 MCI (~$300k) into charter capital of a Kazakh LLP in priority sectors, or equivalent in fixed assets.
- AIFC residency: tied to being a director, employee, or investor of an AIFC-registered company; investment threshold lower but AIFC-registration costs apply.
- C9 duration: up to 10 years on renewal; AIFC residency renews per role and ties to AIFC participation.
- Real estate alone does NOT qualify for C9. Portfolio investments may qualify under specific schemes (government bonds, designated funds).
- Tax consequences differ: C9 holder becomes KZ tax resident after 183 days in-country; AIFC offers some preferential regimes for AIFC participants.
- Family: C9 includes spouse and children; AIFC residency can be extended similarly under employment-based categories.
- Qualifying investment into a Kazakh legal entity (typically an LLP) in a priority sector.
- Minimum investment threshold (see below).
- Commitment period — investment must remain in place for the duration of visa validity.
- Valid business purpose and plan.
- Charter capital contribution into a Kazakh LLP engaged in priority activities (manufacturing, agro-processing, IT/tech, logistics, tourism infrastructure, renewables, healthcare infrastructure, and other government-designated sectors).
- Fixed assets contributed to a Kazakh LLP — equipment, plant, commercial property that the business operates.
- Specific government-designated investment schemes (e.g. SEZ investor programmes, strategic project investments).
- Personal residential property purchase.
- Bank deposits alone.
- Loans to a Kazakh company.
- Purchase of public equities on KASE.
- Crypto asset holdings.
- Investors in AIFC companies.
- Directors and employees of AIFC-registered companies (AIFC participants).
- Dependants of the above.
- Certain other AIFC economic participants.
- AIFC participant status drives eligibility. Register the company as an AIFC participant → onboard individuals tied to that company.
- Residency duration: typically 3-5 years, renewable.
- No ИРС/work-permit quota requirement.
- Streamlined issuance — often 2-4 weeks.
- AIFC participant registration has its own cost (registration + annual participation fees vary by company type).
- Minimum investment thresholds for investor-class AIFC residency are lower than C9's $300k, but tied to AIFC company structure.
- Compared to C9, AIFC residency is more about being "plugged into" AIFC rather than meeting a cash-investment floor.
| Dimension | C9 investor visa | AIFC residency |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Kazakhstan Migration Service | AIFC Migration Service |
| Legal framework | Kazakh national law | AIFC law |
| Minimum investment | ~$300k charter capital / fixed assets | Lower, tied to AIFC participant economics |
| Required vehicle | Kazakh LLP in priority sectors | AIFC-registered company |
| Duration | Up to 10 years (renewable) | 3-5 years, renewable |
| Work authorisation | Implicit (investor) | Yes (no ИРС needed) |
| Tax regime | Standard KZ tax | AIFC preferential (for AIFC activities) |
| Stay requirement | Light | Light |
| Family | Spouse + children | Spouse + children |
| Path to PR | After ~5 years physical residence | Separate assessment |
| Company accounting | KZ standard | AIFC standard (English, IFRS) |
| Typical timeline | 8-16 weeks | 4-8 weeks |
| Reputational signal | National investor programme | International financial centre participant |
- Your business is a real trading/manufacturing/operating LLP in a priority sector.
- You'll run daily operations in Kazakhstan (warehouse, factory, processing site).
- You want the most favourable path to permanent residency eventually.
- You want access to government investor programmes (SEZ, strategic project benefits).
- Your business doesn't benefit from AIFC's English-law regime.
- Your business is financial services, fintech, investment management, holding, regional HQ.
- You need English-language compliance and common-law contract framework.
- You're hiring multiple foreign specialists and want to skip ИРС.
- You value speed of issuance.
- You're a single founder or small team without $300k of active charter capital but with a viable AIFC business.
- You want a regional HQ for Central Asia.
- Worldwide income potentially taxable in KZ.
- KZ PIT rate: 10% on most employment income; 10% on dividends from KZ sources (with exemptions); 15% on capital gains on some asset classes.
- Double-tax agreements between KZ and 55+ countries mitigate double taxation.
- Kazakhstan does not tax wealth, has no inheritance tax (as of 2026).
| Item | C9 route | AIFC residency route |
|---|---|---|
| Kazakh LLP setup | $500-1,800 | — |
| AIFC company registration | — | $500-2,500 |
| AIFC annual participation | — | $500-1,500 |
| Qualifying investment | $300k+ | Variable (activity-based) |
| Investment project registration | $500-2,000 | — |
| Legal support (setup + visa) | $3,000-8,000 | $2,500-6,000 |
| Visa + registration state fees | $200-500 | $200-500 |
| Total non-investment cost | ~$4,200-12,300 | ~$3,700-10,500 |
- Assess C9 vs AIFC residency fit based on business model and personal circumstances.
- Structure the investment vehicle (LLP or AIFC company).
- Handle investment project registration.
- File the visa application and supporting documentation.
- Coordinate tax residency planning across KZ and home country.
- Renewal cycle management.
Does buying an apartment in Kazakhstan qualify me for the C9 investor visa?
No. Residential real estate alone is not a qualifying investment for C9. The C9 statute specifies investments into charter capital of a Kazakh legal entity in priority sectors, or investments into fixed business assets of a Kazakh LLP, or specific government-designated schemes (some priority sector funds). Real estate can be part of a broader investment into a Kazakh business vehicle (e.g. a commercial property through an LLP carrying out a hospitality business), but not as a standalone purchase.
What's the minimum investment for C9 in 2026?
The core threshold in 2026 is 150,000 MCI (~60M KZT / ~$300k) invested into charter capital of a Kazakh LLP engaged in priority activities, held for the visa duration. Some sectoral programmes have higher or lower thresholds. In practice, investments of $300-500k into operating LLPs with documented business activity pass; smaller symbolic shareholdings don't.
How does AIFC residency work?
AIFC residency is issued through the AIFC Migration Service to individuals tied to AIFC-registered companies — investors, directors, employees, their dependants. It uses the AIFC framework rather than national visa categories. Visa/residency duration typically 3-5 years, renewable. Entry criteria: being a founder, director, employee, or specified economic participant of an AIFC company. It avoids the ИРС work-permit system entirely.
Which one is the 'golden visa' people refer to?
Kazakhstan doesn't have a classic 'golden visa' in the Portuguese/Greek sense (passive residency by real-estate purchase). C9 is the closest analogue but requires active business investment. AIFC residency is structured around business engagement. Kazakhstan also has a 'Neo-Nomad' digital visa (separate category, not an investor route). Any agent marketing a 'golden visa Kazakhstan' should be scrutinised.
Do I have to live in Kazakhstan during the visa period?
C9: physical-presence requirements are light; no minimum days in Kazakhstan. However, becoming a KZ tax resident requires 183+ days in a calendar year (which some investors want, others don't). AIFC residency: also light on stay days. Both are compatible with a mobile lifestyle, provided the underlying investment/company remains active and compliant.
What happens to the visa if the investment is withdrawn?
C9: if you exit the LLP or reduce charter capital below the threshold, C9 is typically revoked at renewal or under anti-abuse review. There's no immediate auto-revocation, but at the next renewal cycle (or audit) the basis must still be present. Some investors exit gradually over 3-5 years; we recommend planning both entry and exit in the structuring phase.
Can C9 lead to permanent residency or citizenship?
Yes, but on standard timelines. After about 5 years of lawful residence in Kazakhstan (with actual physical presence), a C9 holder can apply for permanent residency (ВНЖ). Citizenship typically requires at least 5 more years of permanent residency plus language and civic knowledge tests. Kazakhstan generally does not recognise dual citizenship for naturalised citizens.
Exploring Kazakhstan residency through investment? Submit a case review and Integro KZ lawyers will walk you through C9 and AIFC residency side by side. Request a case review →
