Important Changes in the Legislation of Kazakhstan

Source: zakon.kz

25.06.2026

Kazakhstan to Grant Electronic Entry Permits to Foreigners

The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan signed the Law dd. 24 June 2026, ‘On Amendments and Supplements to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Digitalization, Personal Data Protection, Road Traffic, and Regulation of Advanced Transport Technologies’.

The document amends and supplements the Law "On Population Migration."

A number of new definitions have been added:

• Reference database of immigrants – a digital object designed for the centralized collection, storage, processing, and updating of information on immigrants staying and residing in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan (RK);
• Immigrant registration – recording on the place and duration of the immigrant's temporary stay in a digital object information by the RK internal affairs agencies;
• Electronic entry permit for the RK – an e-document containing the decision of the authorised state bodies to grant foreign nationals and stateless persons the right to enter the territory of the RK, as well as to transit through the country’s territory;
• Fee for processing an electronic entry permit to the RK – a fee payable by foreign nationals and stateless persons when applying for an electronic entry permit to the RK;
• Digital platform for foreign nationals and stateless persons – software designed to provide public services, as well as other services in digital format, to foreign nationals and stateless persons;
• Identification and/or authentication of foreign nationals and stateless persons – the process of establishing and verifying the identity of a foreign national or stateless person, including the collection and processing of personal and biometric data to create a digital immigrant profile and enter information into the reference database of immigrants.

An amendment has been introduced stipulating that immigrants to the RK undergo a process of identification and/or authentication to create and update their digital profile in the reference database.

The general conditions for the entry, exit and stay of immigrants have also been updated.

In particular, it is stipulated that foreign nationals and stateless persons may enter the RK on the basis of an e-permit issued by the internal affairs authorities in coordination with the national security body.

A fee is charged for the processing of an e-permit, the amount and procedure for which are defined by the government.

In this regard, the funds received from fees for issuing e-permits are sent to the operator of the digital platform for foreign nationals and stateless persons, as defined by the government.

The operator of the aforementioned digital platform may be a legal entity in which more than 50% of the voting shares (or equity interests in the authorised capital) are owned by the state.

Ensuring the functioning of the digital platform for foreign nationals and stateless persons includes:

• creation and development of the platform
• provision of system and technical maintenance, and support for the platform
•  ensuring data storage on the platform.

50% of the funds received by the operator of the specified digital platform from fees for issuing electronic entry permits to the RK are allocated as follows:

• on technical support, development and modernisation of the digital system for recording entries and exits of persons across the state border of the RK, as well as the digital platform for foreign nationals and stateless persons; and on modernisation and development of the information and communications infrastructure and peripheral equipment of the aforementioned digital systems;
• to an organisation established by the government for the purpose of developing domestic and inbound tourism, for the development of tourism.

The Law comes into force 60 days after its official publication.

 

Source: zakon.kz

18.06.2026

The rules for the one-stop shop for investors have been updated

These rules have been drawn up with the aim of improving the investment climate in the RK by enhancing the efficiency and digitalisation of activities relating to attracting and supporting investors, as well as providing services to investors at the external, central and regional levels, including through the National Digital Investment Platform (NDIP).

Investor support is provided through the activities of front offices at the external, central, and regional levels, including via the NDIP.

The entities comprising the external-level front offices are the RK’s overseas institutions, foreign representatives and representative offices of the National Company.

The central-level front-office entities are the National Company, including its regional representatives and offices; the central government bodies of the RK; ‘Atameken’ (National Chamber); ‘Samruk-Kazyna’ (National Welfare Fund); and ‘Baiterek’ (National Investment Holding).

The entities comprising regional-level front offices are the local executive bodies of the RK, regional organisations and their subdivisions, representatives of central government bodies, regional chambers of commerce, as well as representatives and representative offices of organisations involved in supporting industrial and innovative activities, investment activities and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, and organisations providing public services.

The regulations set out the responsibilities of front offices, as well as the procedures for their interaction with other organisations regarding the attraction of investments.

Procedure for managing investment projects under the ‘green corridor’ scheme

Investment projects that meet the ‘green corridor’ criteria receive public services under an expedited procedure, as set out in a decision of the Investment Promotion Council.

However, should any issues arise regarding investment projects in the ‘green corridor’, decisions on such projects are also taken at a meeting of the Investment Promotion Council.

A project with an investment volume starting from MCI 7.5 million, which is in the ‘green corridor’, is referred to the Task Force for further support.

Grounds for excluding an investment project from the ‘green corridor’:

• Exclusion of the investment project from the NDIP
• Provision of inaccurate information affecting the investment project’s compliance with the established ‘green corridor’ criteria;
• Significant change in the project’s parameters (investment amount, sector priority, etc.) resulting in non-compliance with the ‘green corridor’ criteria.

Depending on their strategic importance, investment projects are classified into the following categories:

• High-priority investment projects – investment projects from the national pool with a value exceeding KZT 50,000,000,000, as well as investment projects included in the ‘green corridor’ on the basis of a points-based system confirming that the indicators meet the minimum threshold;
• Medium-priority investment projects – investment projects from the national pool with a value exceeding KZT 500,000,000;
• Basic-priority investment projects – investment projects included in the regional pool, with a value of up to KZT 500,000,000.

When calculating scores, the following factors are considered: the amount of investment, whether the investor is listed in ‘The Global 2000’, the priority of the sector, and the social impact of the project.

The Order came into force on 18 June 2026.

 

Source: zakon.kz

20.05.2026

Implementation of turnkey construction projects: rules approved

The Minister for Industry and Construction, by order dd. 15 May 2026, approved the Rules for the Implementation of Turnkey Construction Projects.

Turnkey construction applies to projects falling under the first and second levels of responsibility.

Where a ‘turnkey’ construction project involves survey work and the preparation of town planning documentation, such work shall be carried out by the contractor either independently or with the involvement of third parties.

The cost of the works is determined on the basis of the estimated construction cost.

Payment for works under a ‘turnkey’ construction project shall be made in accordance with the project documentation.

However, the construction cost, as determined by the estimated cost of the ‘turnkey’ construction, must not be increased.

The relationship between the customer and the contractor, as well as their obligations and risks in the context of such a construction project, are set out in the contract.

The main terms of a ‘turnkey’ construction contract include:

• obligations of the customer and the contractor
• completion deadlines
• cost
• risks and liability
• quality control and safety
• amendments and additions to the contract
• documentation and reporting
• testing and handover of the project
• dispute resolution
• force majeure
• warranties. 

The Order came into force on 1 July 2026.

 

Source: zakon.kz

02.02.2026

Parliament adopted the Constitutional Law ‘On the President’

At a joint sitting on 20 May, members of Parliament adopted, at second reading, the draft Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan ‘On the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan’.

The document has been drawn up in accordance with the new Constitution. It enshrines the role of the President as the highest-ranking official, ensuring the coordinated and unimpeded functioning of all branches of state power.

The provisions of the law enshrine the President’s right to appoint the General Prosecutor, the Chairpersons of the Constitutional Court, the National Security Committee, the Supreme Audit Chamber, the Central Election Commission, the National Bank, the Human Rights Commissioner and the Head of the State Security Service. On the recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council, the President appoints the Chairperson of the Supreme Court. In consultation with the Kurultai, the President appoints and elects the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, 10 judges of the Constitutional Court, eight members of the Supreme Audit Office, six members of the Central Electoral Commission, and the judges of the Supreme Court.

 

Source: zakon.kz

13.05.2026

Kazakhstan has changed the rules for registering employment contracts in the Unified System of Employment Contracts (USEC)

On 30 April 2026, amendments were made to the Rules for the submission and retrieval of information on employment contracts in the USEC and a number of other orders.

The amendments are aimed at updating the terminology and further digitising the processes for recording employment relationships following the adoption of the Digital Code.

Thus, in the document, the terms ‘information system’ and ‘objects of informatisation’ are replaced by ‘digital system’ and ‘digital objects’.

The definitions of the USEC, the ‘digital government’ web portal and the electronic digital signature have also been updated. Furthermore, the state information portal ‘Electronic Labour Exchange’ will be referred to as the unified digital employment platform.

The procedure for integrating employers’ HR systems with the USEC and for obtaining employees’ consent via digital systems using electronic digital signatures has been clarified.

In particular, it is stated that an employer submits information by integrating their digital HR system with the USEC, or via the unified digital employment platform ‘Electronic Labour Exchange’, or via other digital systems for the automated management of employment contracts that are integrated with the USEC.

Employees can view the changes made by their employer to their details in their personal account on the ‘Digital Government’ web portal.

The employer receives information on the employment history of job applicants and employees contained in the USEC with their prior consent, which is provided via the employer’s digital HR system using an EDS.

The Order came into force on 17 May, except for those provisions which come into force on 12 July.

 

Source: zakon.kz

24.04.2026

 A new Special Economic Zone, the Alatau Industrial and Logistic Complex, has been established in Kazakhstan

The Government adopted a resolution on 21 April 2026 on the establishment of the ‘Alatau Industrial, Trade and Logistics Complex’ Special Economic Zone.

The SEZ is located in the Kordai District of the Zhambyl Region. The SEZ covers an area of 165 hectares and forms an integral part of the territory of the RK.

The SEZ is being established with the following objectives:

• to accelerate the development of modern, high-performance and competitive manufacturing sectors, to attract investments, to introduce new technologies into the region’s economic sectors, and increase employment;
• to develop the manufacturing sector;
• to develop the agro-industrial complex;
• to establish modern trade, logistics and distribution centres that facilitate the development of cross-border trade;
• to develop the engineering sector and localise industrial assembly operations;
• to develop the electrical engineering and electronics sectors;
• to establish the industrial, commercial, and service infrastructure to ensure the sustainable operation of the SEZ and the implementation of investment projects.

It is stated that a special legal regime is established within the FEZ, and that the customs procedure for a free customs zone applies there. Furthermore, procedures govern the entry, exit, transit and stay of foreign nationals and stateless persons, as well as their vehicles.

The SEZ includes:

• an industrial zone – 100 ha
• a trade and logistics zone – 65 ha.

The following targets have been set for the SEZ by 2051:

• total investment: KZT 550 billion
• foreign investment: KZT 300 billion
• domestic investment: KZT 250 billion
• value of goods and services (works) produced within the SEZ: KZT 1,050 billion
• number of participants: 260 companies
• number of persons engaged in auxiliary activities: 700
• number of work places: 11,500;
• share of Kazakhstani content in the total volume of production within the SEZ – 85%

The Resolution came into force on 21 April.

 

Source: zakon.kz

10.04.2026

The National Bank has approved new rules for foreign currency transactions

The Resolution of the National Bank’s Board dd. 31 March 2026 has introduced amendments to certain resolutions concerning foreign exchange regulation and control.

Key changes:

• the currency control has been tightened: banks monitor transactions and report any breaches;
• threshold amounts have been set: from USD 10,000 for individuals and USD 50,000 for legal entities;
• a foreign currency contract reference number is mandatory for a number of transactions;
• businesses must confirm the purposes of their foreign currency purchases;
• controls on transactions posing a risk of capital flight (transfers, loans, transactions lacking economic rationale).

Benefits for individuals remain in place: transfers of up to USD 10,000 are possible without opening an account.

The new rules have the following objectives:

• to improve financial discipline
• to combat the illegal outflow of funds
• to promote the digitalisation and transparency of foreign exchange transactions.

The Resolution came into force on 19 April 2026.