BOND STONE · AIFC KAZAKHSTAN
Bond Stone in the AIFC Kazakhstan
Bond Stone is an AIFC Registered Legal Adviser (RLA), Certificate No. 250 — one of the few Kazakhstan-based law firms to hold this credential. RLA status enables Bond Stone to advise on AIFC law and English common law, appear before the AIFC Court, and structure investments across both the Kazakhstani and AIFC legal frameworks on a single mandate. Ranked Legal 500 EMEA Top Tier and IFLR1000 Market Leader.
The AIFC — established by Constitutional Statute No. 1 dated 7 December 2015 and operational since 2018 — is an independent jurisdiction within Kazakhstan operating on English common law principles, with its own court system, arbitration centre, financial services regulator (AFSA), and corporate registry. It provides international investors with a familiar legal environment, tax incentives, and access to Kazakhstan’s financial market without the constraints of the Kazakhstani civil law system.
For a full market intelligence guide to the AIFC as an investment environment, see the AIFC Legal Guide 2026 →
AIFC — Key Facts 2026
2018
Operational since — English common law jurisdiction in Central Asia
4,954
Participants from 91 countries — end 2025
50 years
Tax exemptions — until 2066 for AIFC participants
No. 250
Bond Stone RLA Certificate — AIFC Registered Legal Adviser
AIFC Legal Services
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AIFC Entity Formation Private companies, holding structures, SPVs, investment firms — incorporation, constitutional documents, shareholder agreements
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AFSA Licensing Digital assets, payment services, investment management, banking, insurance, Islamic finance, capital markets
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AIFC Court & IAC Proceedings AIFC Court representation, IAC arbitration, enforcement of judgments and awards in Kazakhstan
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Investment Tax Residency (ITRP) Kazakhstan tax residency through AIFC qualifying investment — C5 investor visa, family residence permits, tax planning
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AIFC Regulatory Compliance AML/CFT policies, AFSA ongoing reporting, regulatory liaison, compliance frameworks for AFSA-licensed entities
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Cross-border M&A & AIFC Structuring AIFC holding structures for Kazakhstan M&A, SPVs, joint ventures, cross-border transaction structuring
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AIFC — Full Practice Area Guide Comprehensive guide to the AIFC legal framework, entity types, AFSA licensing categories, and AIFC Court jurisdiction
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TIFC — Tashkent Financial Centre Uzbekistan’s AIFC equivalent — established March 2026, English common law, tax exemptions until 2076
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AFSA Licensing — Categories
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Digital Assets & Crypto Exchange, custody, broker-dealer
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Payment Services Payment systems, e-money, remittance
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Investment Management Fund managers, portfolio managers
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Banking & Credit Banks, credit organisations, AIFC branches
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Insurance Insurers, reinsurers, intermediaries
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Capital Markets AIX listings, broker-dealers, underwriters
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The AIFC Legal Framework
English common law jurisdiction
The AIFC operates on the Acting Law of the Astana International Financial Centre — which incorporates English common law as its foundation. AIFC Contract Regulations, Companies Regulations, Employment Regulations, and AFSA rulebooks are all drafted in English and interpreted under English law principles. This gives international investors a familiar, predictable legal framework without the constraints of Kazakhstani civil law.
AIFC Court & IAC
The AIFC Court is an independent court staffed by judges with English common law backgrounds — former UK Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and High Court judges. It operates in English, applies AIFC law, and issues judgments enforceable across Kazakhstan. The AIFC International Arbitration Centre (IAC) provides institutional arbitration under IAC Rules, with awards enforceable under the New York Convention.
Tax incentives — until 2066
AIFC participants benefit from exemptions from Kazakhstani corporate income tax, individual income tax, land tax, property tax, and VAT on financial services — until 1 January 2066. These exemptions apply to AIFC-registered entities carrying out AIFC-authorised activities. Bond Stone advises on structuring to maximise the scope of applicable tax exemptions.
Bond Stone’s RLA status — what it means in practice
AIFC Registered Legal Adviser (RLA) status is granted by the AIFC Authority to lawyers who meet its qualification requirements. Holding RLA status enables Bond Stone to: advise on AIFC law and AIFC-governed contracts; represent clients in AIFC Court proceedings; provide legal opinions under AIFC law; and structure transactions governed by AIFC law. Bond Stone’s RLA Certificate No. 250 is held personally by the firm’s founding partner — giving clients direct access to a qualified AIFC practitioner on every mandate.
Why Bond Stone for AIFC Matters
✦ AIFC RLA Certificate No. 250 — one of the few Kazakhstan-based practitioners with this credential
✦ Dual capability — AIFC/English common law and Kazakhstan law on a single mandate; no need for separate international counsel
✦ AIFC Court and IAC representation — from initial proceedings through enforcement of judgment
✦ Active AFSA licensing track record — digital assets, payment services, investment management, brokerage
✦ TIFC dual coverage — Bond Stone advises on both AIFC (Kazakhstan) and TIFC (Uzbekistan) — unique positioning in Central Asia
✦ Ranked Legal 500 EMEA Top Tier and IFLR1000 Market Leader — Astana office adjacent to AIFC zone
Discuss your AIFC matter
Contact Bond Stone for a confidential discussion about AIFC entity formation, AFSA licensing, AIFC Court proceedings, or investment tax residency.
📧 info@bondstonelaw.com
📞 +7 702 808 11 58
Request a Confidential Consultation
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AFSA Licensing Hub →
Astana Office →