Regulatory Licensing in Kazakhstan

For general business licensing as part of company formation in Kazakhstan, see Business Licences & Permits in Kazakhstan →

Kazakhstan Licensing Framework — Key Facts 2026

Why Bond Stone for Regulatory Licensing

Full licensing lifecycle — strategy, eligibility assessment, document preparation, eGov submission, regulatory liaison, and ongoing compliance

All regulated sectors covered — financial services, pharma, energy, construction, mining, fintech, media

Green corridor fast-track structuring for qualifying investment projects

Ranked Legal 500 EMEA Top Tier and IFLR1000 Market Leader — Almaty and Astana offices

Related Industry Practices

Licensing is often the first step into Kazakhstan's most regulated sectors. See the industry guides.

FinTech & Digital Assets → Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare →

What is the primary law governing business licences and permits in Kazakhstan?

The Law on Permits and Notifications No. 202-V dated 16 May 2014 (as amended) governs the full licensing system in Kazakhstan. It separates licences (first-category permits, generally issued within 15 working days of a complete application under Art. 30) from second-category permits and notifications. The Law's annexes list regulated activities by category, issuing authority and permit class. Bond Stone advises on licence classification, application preparation, and pre-submission engagement with the issuing authority to reduce the risk of delay.

How long does it take to obtain a business licence in Kazakhstan?

The general period for a licence under Art. 30 of Law No. 202-V is 15 working days from a complete application, unless another period applies; financial licences, for example, have their own periods. Second-category permits have their own terms. For investment projects in the green corridor under the Rules for the one-stop shop for investors, state services are accelerated as the investment attraction council decides. Bond Stone advises on green corridor eligibility and manages the multi-agency coordination process for qualifying projects.

What are the consequences of operating without a required licence in Kazakhstan?

Unlicensed operation is an administrative offence under Article 463 of the Code of Administrative Offences. Fines for a large business are 150 Monthly Calculation Indices, and 500 for a repeat offence within a year; lower amounts apply to smaller businesses. It is also a ground for compulsory liquidation by court order, and serious cases can be criminal (Criminal Code, Art. 214). For regulated financial and digital asset activities, unlicensed operation additionally triggers ARDFM, National Bank of Kazakhstan or AFSA enforcement action. Bond Stone advises on regulatory risk and licence gap analysis at the outset of every market entry mandate.

What licences are required for a pharmaceutical company operating in Kazakhstan?

Pharmaceutical operations require sector-specific licensing under both Law No. 202-V and the Code on Public Health and the Healthcare System (No. 360-VI of 7 July 2020). Pharmaceutical activity, including manufacturing, wholesale and retail sale of medicines, is licensed (Code No. 360-VI, Art. 17(1)). Commercial import of medicines is open to licensed manufacturers, licensed wholesalers (and, for medical devices, wholesalers on the register by notification), research organisations and laboratories for registration work, and healthcare organisations for their own medical activity (Art. 252), and the products must be registered, nationally or under the EAEU rules. Each stage of the pharmaceutical supply chain has its own regulatory authorisation requirement. Bond Stone advises pharmaceutical clients on the full set of licences and the interaction between Kazakhstani requirements and international GMP standards recognised under Eurasian Economic Union harmonisation.

Do fintech and digital asset companies need a Kazakhstani government licence or an AFSA licence?

The applicable regulatory regime depends on where the entity is incorporated and operating. AIFC entities carrying on regulated activities need an AFSA licence — the AIFC has its own regulatory framework. Kazakhstani-incorporated companies providing payment services need a banking licence from the ARDFM or authorisation from the National Bank of Kazakhstan as a payment organisation, under the Law on Payments and Payment Systems (No. 11-VI of 26 July 2016). Since Law No. 352-VIII of 23 July 2026 there are two categories. A first category organisation (LLP or JSC) holds an NBK licence and can offer the wider range, including electronic money issuance and money transfers. A second category organisation (LLP) is registered with the NBK and offers a narrower range, such as accepting cash for payments, distributing electronic money and processing payments (Arts. 12, 13). The NBK is to reclassify organisations already on its register as second category. Since 1 May 2026, digital asset service providers outside the AIFC are licensed or registered by the National Bank. An AIFC entity actively soliciting Kazakhstani customers outside the AIFC perimeter may require additional notification or registration with Kazakhstani authorities. Bond Stone advises on the regulatory perimeter analysis and the optimal structure — AIFC or Kazakhstani entity — based on the business model and target market.