Kazakhstan account for a UAE company: banks, steps, documents

Two routes: Al Safi Bank or a regular bank

Al Safi Bank is an Islamic bank in the AIFC, licensed by the AFSA, with offices in Astana and Almaty. It opens accounts for non-resident companies, including UAE companies, without a visit to Kazakhstan. This is based on our experience as of October 2026; the decision to open the account is the bank’s. At second-tier banks, a foreign company usually needs tax registration with a BIN, consular legalisation of its UAE documents and a visit from the signatory — typically two to six weeks.

How an Al Safi Bank account is opened

1. 1Reviewing the taskWhich account you need, in which currencies and who you work with: that determines the bank and the document checklist.
2. 2Scans to the bank’s checklistYou send the company and owner documents; we check the package and the spelling of names before submission.
3. 3Online applicationWe submit the application to the bank and answer its questions about the account’s purpose, turnover and source of funds.
4. 4Originals to the bankYou send the originals according to our list. No need to travel to Astana.
5. 5Review, opening and depositThe bank checks the beneficial owners and the ownership structure, opens the account and assigns a personal manager. You need to deposit around KZT 1,000,000 — we confirm the exact amount and deadline when submitting.

What the company needs

Al Safi Bank’s checklist, in our experience as of October 2026. Besides the documents, the bank will ask about the account’s purpose, main counterparties, planned turnover and source of funds.

• Certificate of registration and articles of association
• Company address or lease agreement
• Passports of the founders and shareholders
• Resolution appointing the director
• Register of shareholders no older than 6 months, and for a corporate shareholder — its ownership structure
• Licences and documents showing actual business activity
• If a representative applies — a power of attorney and their passport

What to plan for in advance

• It is an account for payments: as an Islamic bank, Al Safi Bank pays no interest on balances.
• SWIFT transfers in more than ten currencies, including AED, CNY and TRY — according to the bank as of 15 October 2026.
• The bank screens transactions against EU, US, UK and UN sanctions lists — you need transparent documents and a real deal.
• If your contract with a Kazakh company is an export or import contract worth more than USD 50,000 equivalent (or states no amount), the company registers it with its bank and receives a contract registration number, which goes on the payments. Check this before signing.
• A personal account at a regular bank requires an IIN; a foreigner applies for it in person at a Public Service Centre at their place of stay.