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AIFC Company Registration in Astana
A company in the Astana International Financial Centre for those who need English law, a clear court system and a convenient holding structure. We help you choose the form, prepare the documents and run the company after registration.
The AIFC is a special jurisdiction inside Kazakhstan. Its companies operate under law based on English common law, and disputes go to the AIFC Court and the International Arbitration Centre. That is why the AIFC is used for holding companies, joint projects with foreign investors and financial services. AIFC company registration for a private company is done online through the Digital Resident portal. The Registrar's fee is $500 for an online application and $1,500 for a paper one; post-registration changes are $100 when filed online. The whole process usually takes 3–6 weeks.
An important detail for IT and trading companies: AIFC tax benefits are designed for financial services. A non-financial company pays 20% corporate income tax and 16% VAT, just like a regular Kazakh LLP. If your goal is tax benefits for IT, we first compare the AIFC with Astana Hub membership.
Who it is for
- Business owners who need a holding company under English law
- Projects with foreign investors and shareholder agreements
- Companies planning to provide financial services in the AIFC
- Foreign founders: shareholders and the director can be foreigners
- Those comparing the AIFC, a Kazakh LLP and Astana Hub to see which works better
Requirements
- A registered office within the AIFC at all times
- Proof of business activity and financial standing as required by the Centre
- A Kazakhstan IIN (individual identification number) for the company's CEO
- Incorporation documents in English
- A separate license from the AIFC regulator for regulated financial activities
- Annual filings with the Registrar and tax reporting in Kazakhstan
What we do
- Review your activity and tell you up front whether the company will get a tax benefit
- Choose the structure and prepare the incorporation documents in English
- File the application with the AIFC registration authority and see it through to the certificate
- Provide a registered address within the AIFC
- Help with a bank account and tax registration
- Handle bookkeeping, annual filings and changes in the register
Key documents
- Passports of directors, shareholders and beneficial owners
- Documents of foreign corporate shareholders: register extract and details of beneficial owners
- IIN of the future CEO
- Agreement for an address within the AIFC
- Power of attorney, if we file the application
- Description of the business and proof of financial standing
How it works
- Brieffounders, director, type of activity and whether you need a Kazakh bank account
- Structure and documentswe prepare the application data and check the foreign shareholders' documents; if the CEO has no IIN, we start there
- Addresssigning the AIFC address agreement before filing
- Application via Digital Residentfiling, paying the Registrar's fee and answering questions
- After registrationBIN, certificate, bank account, bookkeeping and annual filings
Timeline
Usually 3–6 weeks from choosing a structure to the certificate.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- IT companies expect tax benefits, but the AIFC does not offer them for non-financial activity: 20% corporate income tax and 16% VAT apply
- Without an IIN for the CEO, the application cannot be filed: a regular IIN is issued in person, and a digital one through eResidency after checks, which are enhanced for citizens of Russia
- Regulated activity without a license from the regulator is a serious breach, so we check this before registration
- Late annual filings bring a $100 penalty from the Registrar, and the amount grows if it stays unpaid
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is from $2,200. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
How long does AIFC company registration take?
We plan roughly 3–6 weeks for the whole process, from the brief to the certificate. A correct online application is reviewed quickly, but time goes into the CEO's IIN, the documents of foreign shareholders and the address agreement. If the Registrar orders an additional review, it takes longer.
Can I register an AIFC company without coming to Kazakhstan?
The application is filed online, so no trip is needed for it. But the CEO must have a Kazakhstan IIN. A regular IIN is issued in person, while the digital IIN from the eResidency program is issued online, and under the program's rules it can be used to open a company only in the AIFC. Citizens of Russia can join eResidency only after enhanced checks. If you already have an IIN, the whole registration can be done remotely.
What taxes does an AIFC company pay?
If the company does not provide financial services, general taxes under Kazakhstan's 2026 Tax Code apply: 20% corporate income tax and 16% VAT. The corporate income tax exemption until January 1, 2066 covers income from financial services listed in the Constitutional Law on the AIFC, and from legal, audit, accounting and consulting services to the Centre's bodies and its financial participants. We tell you at the brief whether your activity qualifies.
Do I need an office in the AIFC?
Yes. The Centre's rules require the company to have a registered office within the AIFC at all times. We provide such an address as part of the service and sign the agreement before the application is filed.
Can a foreigner be a shareholder and director of an AIFC company?
Yes. Shareholders can be foreign individuals and companies, and the director can be a foreign citizen. Immigration documents for relocating to Kazakhstan, if you plan to live and work there, are arranged separately.
What does an AIFC company file after registration?
Once a year it submits an annual return, financial statements and an annual confirmation to the Registrar. Tax reporting goes to the Kazakh tax authorities. We put both sets of deadlines into one calendar to avoid penalties.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
Related programs
Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
