Investor Visa C9 and AIFC Residency in 2026: What Counts as Investment and Which Path Fits

• 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.

• 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).

• 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.

• Investor visa C9
• AIFC residency