As an international investor, you see opportunity where others see borders. Kazakhstan, with its strategic location and burgeoning economy, is a market ripe with potential. But unlocking that potential requires a key: the right to enter, operate, and grow your business legally. At Secure Immigration, we’ve guided countless entrepreneurs through the intricacies of Kazakhstani immigration law. The pathway we navigate most often for active business founders is the C5 Business Immigrant Visa.

This isn’t just another document; it’s your license to build. However, the path to obtaining it is layered with specific legal and procedural requirements that can easily trip up the unprepared. This guide is built from our direct experience. We’re not just going to list the steps; we’re going to walk you through them, pointing out the critical junctures and potential pitfalls we’ve seen clients face, and explaining how we ensure a smooth process.

The Gateway to Business in Kazakhstan: Understanding the C5 Visa

First, let’s clarify what the C5 visa is and, just as importantly, what it isn’t. The C5 category is specifically designed for “business immigrants”—foreigners who are coming to Kazakhstan to actively conduct entrepreneurial activities. This means you plan to either register a new commercial entity, like a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), or purchase a share in an existing company. It’s the visa for the hands-on founder, the entrepreneur ready to get to work.

C5 vs. A5 vs. the New “Golden Visa”: Choosing the Right Path

It’s easy to get lost in the alphabet soup of visa categories. Kazakhstan’s immigration landscape has evolved, so it’s crucial to select the correct route.

• C5 Visa (Business Immigrant): This is our focus. It’s for active entrepreneurs. It involves a two-stage process and requires you to establish and operate a business.

• A5 Visa (Investor): This is a distinct category, typically for senior managers of companies that have a direct investment agreement with the Government of Kazakhstan.

• The “Golden Visa” (Investor Residence): Introduced in 2025, this program offers a 10-year residence permit for a significant passive investment, often cited at a minimum of $300,000. This is for high-net-worth individuals seeking residency through capital investment rather than active business creation.

For the vast majority of entrepreneurs looking to start a new venture from the ground up, the C5 is the designated and most practical pathway.

Are You Eligible? Key Requirements for the C5 Business Immigrant

Before embarking on the application, you need to meet the foundational criteria. The Kazakhstani authorities are looking for genuine business people. You must:

• Be of legal adult age.

• Possess a clean criminal record, confirmed by an official certificate from your country of citizenship or residence.

• Have valid medical insurance for your stay.

• Provide a medical certificate confirming you have no diseases that would prohibit entry into Kazakhstan.

• Crucially, you must have a clear intention and a plan to conduct business, which you will need to formalize later in the process.

The C5 Visa Journey: Our Step-by-Step Process

The C5 visa application is a tale of two parts: a preparatory phase completed outside Kazakhstan, and an execution and extension phase completed once you arrive. Understanding this sequence is the single most important factor for success.

Stage 1: The Initial 90-Day Single-Entry Visa (The External Phase)

Think of this as your entry ticket. You must secure this initial, single-entry C5 visa, valid for up to 90 days, at a Kazakhstani Embassy or Consulate abroad before you travel.

Step 1: Securing the Letter of Invitation (LOI)

You cannot simply walk into an embassy and ask for a C5 visa. You must first be invited. This invitation, which receives a visa support number from the Migration Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, is the cornerstone of your application.

This presents a classic “chicken-and-egg” problem we solve for our clients daily: you need a visa to start your company, but you need an invitation from a Kazakhstani company to get the visa. This is where we step in. As an established legal entity, Secure Immigration can issue the initial Letter of Invitation on your behalf, acting as your sponsoring party to get the process started. This service bridges the gap and allows you to enter the country legally with the explicit purpose of establishing your own firm.

Step 2: Compiling Your Document Dossier

With the visa support number in hand, we help you prepare a meticulous application package. While specific requirements can vary slightly by consulate, the core documents always include:

• Your valid passport with at least two blank pages.

• A completed visa application form.

• A recent passport-sized photograph.

• The Letter of Invitation (with the visa support number).

• Proof of payment for the consular fee.

• The medical certificate and proof of medical insurance.

• The certificate of no criminal record.

Step 3: The Consular Application

You will submit this package to the designated Embassy or Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The standard processing time is around 5-7 business days, but an insider tip we always share is to build a buffer of at least two extra weeks into your timeline. On occasion, applications are flagged for additional review by the National Security Committee, which can extend the wait time to 30 days. Patience and planning are paramount.

Stage 2: The Multiple-Entry Visa Extension (The In-Country Phase)

You’ve received your 90-day visa and arrived in Kazakhstan. The clock is now ticking. This is the most critical phase, where you transform your temporary entry permit into a long-term visa.

Step 4: Arrival and Essential First Steps

Within three working days of your arrival, you must be registered with the migration authorities. Then, your main objective for the next two months is to fulfill your business immigrant obligations. This means you must:

1. Officially register your commercial organization (e.g., an LLP).

2. Deposit the required funds into a bank to form the company’s authorized capital.

Step 5: The Akimat Petition – Your Business Plan on Trial

Once your company is legally established, you cannot directly apply for a visa extension. First, you must obtain a formal petition, or letter of consent, from the local executive body (the “Akimat”) in the region where your business is registered.

To get this, you must submit a comprehensive business plan. This document needs to be professional and credible, outlining your company’s activities, project goals, and planned investments. The Akimat is assessing whether you are a serious entrepreneur who will contribute to the local economy. In our experience, a weak or generic business plan is a primary reason for rejection at this stage.

Step 6: Finalizing Your Long-Term Visa with the Migration Service

With the Akimat’s petition secured, we can finally apply to the local Migration Service office to extend your visa. This application will convert your 90-day, single-entry permit into a multiple-entry C5 visa, typically valid for up to two years. This long-term visa allows you to live and work in Kazakhstan as the director of your company without interruption.

The Strategic Advantages of Holding a C5 Visa

Obtaining a C5 visa is more than a bureaucratic hurdle; it’s a strategic business move. It grants you:

• Legal Standing: The authority to legally establish, own, and operate a business in Kazakhstan.

• Long-Term Presence: The ability to reside in the country for up to two years at a time, with options for renewal.

• Operational Control: The right to act as the director or founder of your company, making key decisions on the ground.

• A Pathway to Residency: A successfully run business can be a stepping stone towards applying for a more permanent residence permit in the future.

From Our Case Files: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

We’ve seen it all, and the cost of a simple mistake can be months of delays. Here are the most common errors we help our clients avoid.

Mistake #1: Leaving Kazakhstan Prematurely

This is the most critical error. The initial 90-day C5 visa is a single-entry visa. If you register your company and then leave Kazakhstan—for a business trip or to visit family—before extending your visa, it will be cancelled upon exit. You cannot apply for the extension from abroad. The entire process must be started again from scratch. We ensure our clients remain in-country until the multiple-entry visa is securely stamped in their passport.

Mistake #2: Underestimating the Business Plan

Submitting a one-page, vague business plan to the Akimat is a recipe for denial. The authorities need to see a well-researched, viable proposal. We work with clients to ensure their business plan is robust, professional, and meets the expectations of the review committee.

Mistake #3: Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation

Small errors, like a missing signature on a form or an improperly formatted document, can lead to outright rejection and significant delays. Our role is to act as your four-eyes check, ensuring every single piece of paper is in perfect order before it’s submitted to any government body.

Your Trusted Partner: How Secure Immigration Streamlines the Process

Navigating this process alone is a significant undertaking, filled with legal complexities and bureaucratic hurdles. At Secure Immigration, we manage the entire journey for you. Our service isn’t just about filling out forms; it’s about providing strategic guidance.

We handle the initial Letter of Invitation, provide precise document checklists, review your business plan, and interface directly with the Akimat and Migration Service on your behalf. For entrepreneurs who need a comprehensive solution that covers not only their C5 visa but also company registration and related legal support, we offer a seamless business visa service package. We take the administrative burden off your shoulders, allowing you to focus on what you do best: planning your business success.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the difference between a C5 visa and the new ‘Golden Visa’?
A: The C5 visa is a ‘business immigrant’ visa designed for entrepreneurs who intend to actively establish and run a business in Kazakhstan. The new ‘Golden Visa’ is a passive investment route, requiring a minimum investment of $300,000 for a 10-year residence permit, without the same active business management requirements.

Q: Can I apply for the C5 visa while I am in Kazakhstan on a tourist visa?
A: No, this is a critical point. The initial single-entry C5 visa must be obtained outside of Kazakhstan, typically at a Kazakhstani embassy or consulate in your country of citizenship or permanent residence. You cannot convert from a tourist status to a C5 visa from within the country.

Q: How long does the C5 visa process take?
A: The process is in two main stages. The initial invitation letter (visa support) takes about 5-7 business days. However, always budget for more, as it can be extended up to 30 days for security checks. Once you have the invitation, the embassy’s processing time varies. The second stage, the in-country extension, takes approximately 15 business days to get the required petition from the Akimat, plus another 5-10 days for the Migration Service to process the visa.

Q: Can my family join me on a C5 visa?
A: The C5 visa itself does not automatically cover dependents. However, once you have established your company and have your multiple-entry C5 visa, your family members (spouse and children) can typically apply for a family reunification visa (C2 category) to join you in Kazakhstan.

Q: Do I need a lot of investment capital for the C5 visa?
A: Unlike the ‘Golden Visa’, the C5 visa doesn’t have a fixed, large minimum investment threshold like $300,000. However, you must contribute to the authorized capital of your newly formed company, which has a statutory minimum. More importantly, your business plan, submitted for the visa extension, must demonstrate a credible and viable business, which implies a reasonable level of investment.

Let’s Build Your Future in Kazakhstan

The C5 visa process is detailed and demanding, but it is a clear and established path to launching your business in one of Central Asia’s most dynamic economies. With expert guidance, it is entirely manageable. If you are ready to take the next step, we invite you to contact us. Let our experience be your advantage.