How to Open a Bank Account in Kazakhstan for a Russian Citizen? 2024 Guide

Why Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan has become a popular destination for Russians who are emigrating, traveling, and just enjoying life around the world. After Russian Visa and Mastercard cards were blocked abroad, people faced a problem: how can you use your money there? This is where Kazakh banks and their local cards come to the rescue. But first, you'll need an IIN — it’s like their local version of the TIN, and you can’t do anything without it.

How to get this IIN?

Previously, you could get an IIN right in Russia, but in 2024 this loophole was closed. Now, you’ll have to travel to Kazakhstan and get it there, either at the TSОN (similar to an MFC) or the consulate. It’s a simple process, but expect to wait in line. Bring your international passport and a local SIM card (or at least any SIM with a +7 code).

What’s next? Opening the account

Here are a few Kazakh banks and their conditions:

• Freedom Bank — You can get a multi-currency card in tenge, dollars, euros, and rubles here. The catch is that you have to apply in person, and the card may take up to 10 days to arrive. Bring your international passport, IIN, and a local number — and you’re good to go.
• Kaspi Bank — They only open accounts in tenge, and you'll need to provide temporary registration. A direct currency account isn’t an option here, but for tenge, it works fine.
• Home Credit Bank — Their cards are also in tenge, but they automatically convert currencies during transactions. The standard set of documents is required: IIN and international passport.
• Jusan Bank — Here, you can open an account through an authorized representative. However, you’ll need to deal with a notarized power of attorney. But if you're too lazy to go yourself, it’s a solid option. They offer cards in tenge, dollars, and euros.

By the way, most banks don’t bother with online options — everything must be done in person. But as I mentioned earlier, Jusan allows an authorized representative to handle everything if you're not there.

What if you absolutely need to get a card remotely?

There’s a workaround! But you’ll need to pay for it. In Russia, there are companies that can remotely open a foreign account for you. Here are some examples:

• easypay.world — Here, the cost of issuing a foreign card starts at 19,990 rubles.
• moscow.easycrds.ru — These guys offer the most affordable Kazakh card for 24,900 rubles.
• visa-msk.ru — A Kazakhstan card with IIN remotely costs 20,000 rubles.

Important! How these companies bypass the requirement to be present for the IIN issuance is unknown. So, if you decide to use their services, proceed with caution. Scams are everywhere these days, right?

Pro tip of the day: The Waluetta service will soon start working with Kazakh banks! This means that international transfers using their cards will be fast and with minimal fees. That’s a win for anyone who frequently travels between countries or needs to send money back and forth.

Waluetta is a service that helps you find the best way to transfer money abroad. You simply enter Point A (currency, payment method, country) and Point B. The algorithm will calculate everything for you in just 5 seconds!

So, if you've been thinking about opening an account in Kazakhstan — it’s as simple as that! And with Waluetta, your transfers will be even more cost-effective.