AIFC Expat Centre and KAZAKH INVEST Join Forces to Support Investors and Talent
On 4 September, as part of the Astana Finance Days 2025 forum, a panel session titled “AIFC Dialogue: Strategic Investment for Global Mobility” took place, with the main theme being Kazakhstan’s growing appeal as a promising destination for foreign investors and international professionals. The speakers – Madiyar Sultanbek, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of JSC “NC Kazakh Invest”, and Yerlan Mukhan, Compliance and Financial Monitoring Expert at Legal Consulting Community Ltd. – discussed the opportunities offered by the AIFC Investment Tax Residency Programme to attract capital into Kazakhstan’s economy, as well as the importance of joint efforts by the state and business to support investors.
“The AIFC Expat Centre operates on the ‘one-stop shop’ principle, providing comprehensive support and guidance to foreign investors and professionals, as well as their family members, in obtaining the necessary public services to stay in Kazakhstan. Our centre also serves as a platform for dialogue with public authorities, the expert community, and investors. Here, proposals are discussed and projects are initiated aimed at improving the investment climate, simplifying administrative procedures, and enhancing comfortable conditions for foreign investors and talent. I believe that consolidating our front offices within the AIFC framework is a coordinated and effective approach to implementing the one-stop-shop principle for receiving foreign investors and international professionals,” said Ainur Zhumatova, Director of the AIFC Expat Centre, who moderated the session.
In turn, Madiyar Sultanbek, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of KAZAKH INVEST, outlined the company’s role in translating state strategies into tangible measures to support foreign investors. Among these, he highlighted the digitalisation of processes, the implementation of the one-stop-shop mechanism, and the provision of active support to investors at every stage of project implementation.
“Digitalisation is of key importance to us. A national digital investment platform has been introduced, the one-stop-shop mechanism is being improved, a ‘Green Corridor’ has been implemented, a unified register of investor enquiries is maintained, and regional investment programmes are being developed. In this way, a wide range of support measures based on international best practices has been implemented in Kazakhstan, making the country attractive for long-term investment,” Madiyar Sultanbek noted.
In addition, the session paid particular attention to the AIFC Investment Tax Residency Programme: its development, alignment with international standards, and expansion to meet the evolving needs of investors were discussed.
“The Investment Tax Residency Programme is an important element of the AIFC jurisdiction, as it provides attractive conditions for foreign investors to operate in Kazakhstan. In fact, based on the partnership between the government and AIFC Authority, a transparent mechanism for investing in Kazakhstan’s economy on a reciprocal basis was established in 2022. Once granted investment residency status, an investor can not only exclude foreign income from overseas taxation but also obtain a long-term visa or temporary residence permit in the country under the new status,” commented Yerlan Mukhan, Compliance and Financial Monitoring Expert at Legal Consulting Community Ltd., the agent company of the AIFC Investment Tax Residency Programme.
At present, two instruments are available to foreign investors: investment in securities of Kazakhstani issuers actively traded on the AIX exchange, and a new instrument – investment in the authorised capital of private companies registered with the AIFC. The introduction of the second instrument expands investors’ opportunities to participate in sustainable projects within the AIFC framework.
At the end of the discussion, it was announced that efforts to support investors and provide a client-oriented approach would be consolidated through the integration of front offices based at the AIFC Expat Centre. This new format of cooperation in the form of a unified front office will enable foreign investors to receive comprehensive support – from visa and administrative services to consultancy – all in one space under the one-stop-shop principle.
As a result of this innovation, the conditions of the AIFC Investment Tax Residency Programme have become even more attractive for investors, as they can now apply for a Golden Visa and residence permit (RP) with a minimum investment threshold of USD 300,000.
The session underscored that the AIFC Expat Centre provides comprehensive support to foreign investors, creating a favourable environment through the introduction of new tools, programmes, and products such as the AIFC Investment Tax Residency Programme. It actively cooperates with representatives of public authorities on improving the investment climate within the framework of national legislation, while also providing full assistance with practical matters related to staying in Kazakhstan, such as obtaining visa and migration documents and accessing public services.
Reference:
The AIFC Expat Centre is a specialised multifunctional facility aimed at creating favourable conditions for the entry and stay of foreign investors, employees of AIFC participants, and other international residents in Astana. The Centre ensures smooth integration into Kazakhstani society by offering access to a wide range of government and social integration services through a one-stop-shop system, provided in English.
