A reference guide to banks in Kazakhstan for foreigners, including Russian citizens: which banks accept non-residents, which cards are available and how to open an account without extra trips. Data as of October 2026.
Kazakhstan is one of the most convenient destinations for Russian citizens: visa-free entry for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, Russian spoken in banks and apps, and simple payments in tenge. At the same time, Visa and Mastercard cards issued by Russian banks do not work in the country, and the Mir card is effectively served only by VTB (Kazakhstan). Anyone who lives, studies or works in Kazakhstan therefore needs a local card. Domestic payments are made in tenge. The National Bank base rate has been 16.25% since 4 September 2026, with inflation at 9.8% in August, so tenge deposits bring a noticeable nominal return.
The main requirement for an account is a Kazakh individual identification number (IIN). Since 1 January 2026, Kazakh embassies no longer issue IINs: the number is obtained in person at a public service centre (CON) or online through the eResidency programme. After that, requirements depend on the bank. Freedom Bank Kazakhstan offers a remote route, Kaspi Bank requires a local phone number and a Russian tax number, and Halyk Bank more often asks for an employment contract or a residence permit. From 21 September 2026 the regulator relaxes the rules for non-residents, but each bank applies them in its own way. A Russian tax resident must notify the Russian Federal Tax Service within one month of opening an account abroad.
The ranking on this page reflects how accessible each bank is to foreigners and non-residents: whether an account can be opened in person or remotely, which payment systems are available and whether Russian-language support exists. It is not based on a sum of customer reviews but on the conditions published by the banks and on regulator news. Before choosing, compare three things: what exactly the bank requires from a foreigner, how you will receive the card and which payment systems you will be able to use. All ranked banks are listed below, and each review page covers the conditions, documents and restrictions in more detail.
Freedom Bank Kazakhstan accepts non-residents and Russian citizens, offers multi-currency accounts and a remote route through eResidency. The card costs a foreigner 20,000 KZT.
VTB (Kazakhstan) issues Mir cards to Russian citizens and non-residents, and a virtual card can be opened in internet banking. The bank is under EU sanctions and small by assets.
Kaspi Bank issues Kaspi Gold to foreigners: in a branch if you have no residence permit, with a Kazakh phone number and IIN. Russian citizens also need a tax ID and a home address in Russia.
BCC is the third-largest bank in Kazakhstan with SWIFT transfers from the app. Non-residents receive cards in person, while eResidency participants can get one remotely.
According to a 2026 review, Bank RBK opens an account and a Visa card for non-residents without an employment contract; opening costs 15,000 KZT and service 7,500 KZT a year.
Halyk Bank is the largest bank in Kazakhstan, with Visa, Mastercard and UnionPay cards. Non-residents usually need an employment contract or a residence permit, and Mir is not accepted.
ForteBank is a large private bank in Kazakhstan with premium Forte Solo cards. It publishes no official terms for non-residents, and documents showing a link to the country are usually required.
Bereke Bank is the former Sberbank Kazakhstan, now owned by Lesha Bank. It does not accept Mir, publishes no non-resident terms and opens accounts only in person.
Alatau City Bank is the former First Heartland Jysan Bank (Jusan), owned by Vyacheslav Kim, with 85+ branches. Terms for non-residents are not published.
Eurasian Bank is a large private bank in Kazakhstan with an app and Kaspi QR payments. There are no current terms for non-residents, and cards were not issued to foreigners in 2025.
Altyn Bank is controlled by China's CITIC and 40% owned by Halyk Bank. It publishes no terms for non-residents, so it is not a priority for foreigners.
KZI Bank is a subsidiary of Turkey's Ziraat Bank with eight branches. Terms for non-residents and Russian citizens are not published.
Shinhan Bank Kazakhstan is a 100% subsidiary of Korea's Shinhan Bank with Visa cards. Retail terms for non-residents are not published.
Home Credit Bank in Kazakhstan has become a subsidiary of ForteBank, with its licence reissued on 30 December 2025. It has not issued cards to non-residents.
Zaman Bank is the first Islamic digital bank in Kazakhstan and the smallest in the catalogue. It targets Kazakh citizens and publishes no terms for non-residents.
Yes, but usually in person and with a Kazakh IIN. You need a passport, an IIN, a Kazakh phone number and a document proving lawful stay; some banks also ask for an employment contract or a student certificate. The regulator's decision of 21 September 2026 eases the checks, but each bank still assesses the client on its own.
The IIN is a 12-digit individual identification number without which banks do not open accounts. A foreigner receives it in person at a public service centre (CON) with a passport, which according to bank reviews takes 1-3 working days, or remotely through eResidency. Kazakh embassies have not issued IINs since 1 January 2026.
For ordinary foreigners, as a rule, no: a visit to a branch is required. The exception is eResidency participants, who receive an IIN online and can open an account and card remotely at some banks, for example Freedom Bank Kazakhstan and Bank CenterCredit. Banks use biometrics for remote operations.
Practically only through VTB (Kazakhstan): tenge can be withdrawn at its ATMs, and payment in shops is possible only at the bank's own terminals. Halyk Bank, Bereke Bank and Bank CenterCredit no longer serve Mir. It is not advisable to travel with Mir as the only card.
No, Visa and Mastercard cards issued by Russian banks do not work in Kazakhstan. UnionPay cards of some Russian banks may go through, but individual transactions are declined. It is more reliable to carry tenge in cash or a card from a Kazakh bank.
Up to 90 calendar days in any 180-day period; leaving and re-entering does not reset the counter. A longer stay requires a temporary residence permit. The host party must notify the migration service.
Yes, a Russian tax resident must notify the Federal Tax Service of the opening, change of details and closing of a foreign account within one month. An annual report is filed by 1 June, but for accounts in EAEU countries it is not required if annual turnover or the balance does not exceed 600,000 roubles.
It depends on the task. For Mir, VTB (Kazakhstan); for a remote route, Freedom Bank Kazakhstan or Bank CenterCredit through eResidency; for everyday payments, Kaspi Bank (with caveats on the IIN and tax number); for large operations, Halyk Bank. There is no universally best bank, and conditions for non-residents keep changing.
