What an IIN Is and Why a Foreigner Needs One
An IIN is a 12-digit individual identification number. Foreigners need it for employment and taxes, opening a bank account, buying and selling real estate, a car or land, registering a business, getting a SIM card and a digital signature, and for inheritance and marriage registration.
An IIN is assigned once. If you plan a property deal, get it first: without an IIN a notary will not process the contract and a bank will not open an account for the payment.
What Changed on January 1, 2026
Until the end of 2025 an IIN could be obtained through Kazakhstan's missions abroad under a pilot project. According to the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Russia, from January 1, 2026 IINs are no longer issued to foreigners through missions abroad — the pilot ran until December 31, 2025 inclusive.
Now an IIN is obtained in person at a Public Service Center (TsON) or a specialized TsON in Kazakhstan. For foreign entrepreneurs who need digital access to public services and remote business management, the government promotes the eResidency program (eresidency.gov.kz).
Documents and Procedure
- Original passport and a copy. The passport must be valid — an expiring passport is a common reason for refusal.
- Proof of lawful entry — a migration card or a border-crossing stamp.
- A notarized translation of the passport into Kazakh or Russian — if the passport data is not in Russian. CIS citizens with passports containing Russian usually do not need a translation.
- Application — filled in at the TsON or using the form from the eGov portal.
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Where | A TsON or specialized TsON in any city of Kazakhstan |
| Cost | Free, no state fee |
| Timing | Usually 1–3 working days, in some cases up to 5; specialized TsONs may issue it the same day |
| Result | A certificate of IIN assignment |
Based on integrokz.com (April 2026) and vitaliberta.kz (January 2026); confirm details at the TsON before your visit.
Common Reasons for Refusal
- An expiring or expired passport — apply while the document still has plenty of validity left.
- No proof of lawful stay — keep your migration card and entry stamp.
- Registration rules not followed — the host must notify the authorities of your arrival; check this in advance.
What to Do After Getting an IIN
The next step for a property buyer is an account with a Kazakh bank: without it, paying and proving the purchase price is difficult. How to pass the bank's checks: "Bank Account for Non-Residents". Remember that a foreigner can register housing to an individual only with a residence permit — details in "How a Foreigner Can Buy Property in Kazakhstan".
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an IIN at a Kazakh consulate in 2026?
No. According to the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Russia, issuing IINs to foreigners through missions abroad stopped on January 1, 2026. IINs are obtained in person at a Public Service Center in Kazakhstan.
How much does an IIN cost and how long does it take?
Assigning an IIN is free. The certificate is usually issued within 1–3 working days, sometimes up to five, and specialized TsONs may issue it the same day.
Do I need a passport translation for an IIN?
A notarized translation into Kazakh or Russian is needed if the passport data is not in Russian. CIS citizens with passports containing Russian usually do not need one.
Can I buy an apartment once I have an IIN?
An IIN is required for any deal, but it does not by itself allow you to register housing. A foreigner can buy residential property as an individual only with a residence permit.
Sources
- Yur.kz: IINs no longer issued via missions abroad from January 1, 2026 (in Russian) — yur.kz
- Integrokz: IIN for foreigners in Kazakhstan 2026 (in Russian) — integrokz.com
- Vitaliberta: IIN for foreigners in Kazakhstan, 2026 — vitaliberta.kz
- eResidency program — eresidency.gov.kz