In short: Suits non-residents who work or study in Kazakhstan and want a premium multi-currency package. The main limit is that the bank publishes no official terms for foreigners.
Terms for non-residents
- Non-residents
- Limited
- Remote account opening
- No
- Visa / Mastercard
- Yes
- Russian-language support
- Yes
- Founded
- 2015 (according to the finratings.kz catalogue)
- Owner
- Bulat Utemuratov, about 91.4% (Forbes Kazakhstan profile, October 2026)
- Size
- About 5.17 trillion KZT, 4th place (Forbes Kazakhstan ranking, July 2026)
- License
- No. 1.1.965.133 of 14 July 2026
- Forte Solo currencies
- KZT, USD, EUR, GBP
- Number of Solo cards
- Up to three cards a year (per the tariff page)
- Transfers outside Kazakhstan
- 1% of the amount, minimum 1,000 KZT
- ForteBlack (credit)
- Free for a year, then 2,000 KZT a year; grace period up to 90 days, limit up to 3,000,000 KZT
Pros
- A large private bank: 4th by assets in the Forbes Kazakhstan ranking of July 2026
- Premium Forte Solo cards in tenge, dollars, euros and pounds
- Owns Home Credit Bank, which widens its product range
- Website in Russian
Cons and limits
- No official published terms for non-residents
- Documents confirming a link with Kazakhstan are usually required: work, study or housing
- No Mir cards
- No remote opening for foreigners
## About the bank
ForteBank is one of the largest private banks in Kazakhstan. In the Forbes Kazakhstan ranking of July 2026 it is 4th by assets, at about 5.17 trillion KZT with capital of about 787.9 billion KZT (the finratings.kz catalogue gives about 5.47 trillion KZT). According to the catalogue the bank was founded in 2015. The main shareholder is Bulat Utemuratov, with about 91.4% per the Forbes Kazakhstan profile of October 2026.
The bank's website shows licence No. 1.1.965.133 of 14 July 2026. The website is available in Kazakh, Russian and English. At the end of 2025 ForteBank became the sole shareholder of Home Credit Bank. The deal was agreed in June 2025, the regulator approved it by early November, and the Home Credit licence was reissued on 30 December 2025.
## Account for non-residents
ForteBank publishes no official terms for non-residents. Reviews indicate that more documents are needed than at other banks: an IIN and proof of a link with Kazakhstan, such as work, study or housing. According to the Digital Business review of 8 June 2026, Halyk and Forte are stricter than Kaspi, Freedom Bank and Bank RBK, and most often ask for an employment contract with a Kazakh company.
There is no remote route for foreigners, so the order is the usual one:
- Get an IIN at a public service centre.
- Gather proof of a link with the country.
- Go to a branch and clarify the fees for non-residents.
Russian citizens go through the same checks as other foreigners. The ARDFM relaxation of rules for non-residents may affect ForteBank's requirements too, but only the bank itself can confirm that.
## Cards and payments
The flagship product for affluent clients is Forte Solo on Visa Signature and Mastercard Black Edition, with accounts in tenge, dollars, euros and pounds. According to the tariff page the bank offers up to three Solo cards a year, and transfers outside Kazakhstan cost 1% (minimum 1,000 KZT). There is also the ForteBlack credit card, but the bank does not publish the conditions for issuing credit cards to foreigners.
ForteBank does not issue Mir cards, and there is no confirmation of the Faster Payments System (SBP) working in Kazakhstan. Rely on local Visa and Mastercard cards and cash.
## Who it suits
ForteBank is worth considering if you work in Kazakhstan under an employment contract or study there, need a premium package with a multi-currency card, or want a bank belonging to a growing group that includes Home Credit. Without an employer contract, begin with Bank RBK or Freedom Bank Kazakhstan.
Frequently asked questions
Does ForteBank accept non-residents?
The bank publishes no official rules for non-residents. According to a Digital Business review of 8 June 2026, ForteBank's requirements are stricter than those of Kaspi, Freedom Bank and Bank RBK: an employment contract with a Kazakh company is usually requested. The decision is made at the branch.
Which currencies does Forte Solo support?
Forte Solo is available in tenge, US dollars, euros and pounds sterling.
How much does Forte Solo cost?
The Solo package has a monthly fee with conditions for waiving it, but amounts differ between sources. Check the current figure in the tariffs on the bank's website. Transfers outside Kazakhstan cost 1% (minimum 1,000 KZT).
What is Home Credit Bank in relation to Forte?
At the end of 2025 ForteBank became the sole shareholder of Home Credit Bank. The licence was reissued by an ARDFM order of 30 December 2025, and the bank's name now shows that it is a subsidiary of ForteBank.
Does ForteBank work with Mir?
No, the bank does not issue Mir cards. For such cards use VTB (Kazakhstan).