When transferring money to a card or account, an IBAN number (also referred to as Iban, Ayban, or IBAN Number) is often required. IBAN stands for International Bank Account Number, and it complies with the ISO 13616 standard, which was developed to standardize interbank settlements worldwide.
The internet is full of anonymous quotes like “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer” or “If travel were free, you’d never see me again.” They reflect one unpleasant truth: traveling costs money — often a lot. But it’s entirely possible to see the world for much less than what tour operators typically offer.
How do you travel on a budget without sacrificing comfort and experience?
If you’re buying a used car, it’s important to make sure it’s “clean” — meaning it has no legal restrictions (encumbrances). What is a lien on a vehicle? It refers to a situation where the owner cannot fully dispose of the car — for example, sell or gift it. A typical example is when the vehicle is pledged as collateral for a loan. Other forms of encumbrance include the car being stolen (under investigation) or seized due to debts.
Let’s say you’ve purchased a used car. While the excitement is natural, don’t forget that a few procedures are still ahead — you can’t just get in and drive. One of these steps is vehicle re-registration, which legally transfers ownership to the new owner. From that moment on, all responsibility for the vehicle lies with the buyer.
According to paragraph 1 of Article 207 of the Social Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, men retire at the age of 63 and women at 61. Many retirees do not continue working: they are entitled to pension payments. Previously, these payments could only be received once the retirement age was reached. However, in 2023, a law was adopted allowing for early withdrawal of pension savings from the UAPF — the Unified Accumulative Pension Fund. However, there are nuances. First, only the funds received from mandatory pension contributions (MPC) can be withdrawn. Second, the withdrawal is allowed only if the funds are planned to be spent for specific purposes.
Most companies in Kazakhstan that sell goods and provide services, in addition to regular taxes, must also pay Value Added Tax (VAT). This tax is applied to the difference between the purchase price and the selling price. To compensate the seller or producer’s expenses, the VAT amount is included in the final price. The collected tax goes to the state budget and is used for current public needs.
When purchasing goods (from household appliances and electronics to clothing and shoes), different payment options are offered — including installment plans and loans. The essence of both methods is simple: you borrow the required amount from the bank and repay it in parts over a set period. But what exactly distinguishes an installment plan from a loan?
The coffee business is one of the most popular in Kazakhstan because it's a great way to start your own venture. At the same time, competition in this niche is high, but with a solid business plan, a quality product, and a true passion for coffee, you can generate good profits. However, any food service business is never simple: you’ll only attract clients with high-quality service. Also, don’t set expectations for profit too high — a profitability rate of 30–35% is considered excellent for a coffee shop.
As of July 1, 2024, Kazakhstan has registered 532,980 legal entities and 1,753,485 individual entrepreneurs. Additionally, over 2.2 million people are self-employed. The number of business representatives in each segment is steadily growing. This is due to favorable conditions created in the country: a lenient tax regime, the ability to work officially without a visa, and actively developing digitalization that simplifies most business processes.
What holds back proactive individuals from registering a business? Many face the problem: wanting to start their own business but not knowing what kind. What businesses are currently relevant in Kazakhstan? Let's explore the top business ideas for 2025.
When a person is employed, they receive a salary to cover food, housing, and other needs. But how can one meet their needs after being laid off? In case of job loss, Kazakhstan provides social benefits, regulated by the Social Code. These payments come from a fund formed through monthly contributions. Employers make these contributions, while individual entrepreneurs pay them independently.
A client applying for a loan at a bank may face a rejection. Why is a loan not approved? One of the key reasons is a poor credit history. This term refers to all records about how a borrower fulfilled previous loan obligations: how many loans they took out and for what amounts, whether they made payments on time, and if they had any debts. Based on this information, the bank decides whether the client is trustworthy and can be expected to repay the loan.
When a pregnancy reaches the 30th week (or 28th in case of multiple pregnancies), a woman goes on maternity leave. To provide financial support, she is entitled to several types of payments — a one-time state allowance, a social benefit for income loss, and a child care allowance paid over 1.5 years. But do these benefits apply if the woman is self-employed as an individual entrepreneur (IE)? What benefits are available to pregnant IEs in Kazakhstan? How much money is paid at childbirth?
Investing is considered one of the most popular tools for generating passive income.
However, opinions about investing vary. Some believe it’s complex and requires expertise to make profitable deals. Others argue that it’s as easy as downloading an app and buying assets. Let's break down what investing is and how to start investing money in Kazakhstan.
A letter of credit is one of the possible settlement methods between a buyer and a seller. It represents a bank’s commitment, on behalf of the buyer, to pay the seller a specified amount in an agreed currency, provided that the seller submits documents confirming the shipment of goods or delivery of services.
No matter your preferred vacation style — beach, adventure, sightseeing, or shopping — you can find a destination where Kazakh citizens do not need a visa in 2025. There are many such places: Kazakhstanis can travel visa-free to 43 countries, and in 47 more, a visa can be easily obtained upon arrival at the airport.
Let’s explore the list of popular countries you can visit without a visa as a Kazakh citizen.
From TikTok to Instagram: How to Promote Your Business Online in Kazakhstan TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram are often seen as platforms for chatting and viewing media. However, they are powerful tools for online business promotion: social networks gather a solvent audience and rely on advertising algorithms that help grow your brand, expand your customer base, and increase sales.
Where should you advertise your business online? How can you do it effectively?
Upon the birth of a child, women in Kazakhstan are entitled to maternity benefits. These include allowances for both employed women and those who were not working prior to pregnancy. A state allowance is granted, and employed women are also eligible for a social benefit due to income loss. Additionally, a monthly allowance is provided, which mothers receive until the child reaches the age of one and a half years.
Every vehicle in Kazakhstan is assigned a specific number — a state registration license plate (GRNZ) — used to identify the car. For example, if there’s a traffic accident, the car at fault can be tracked using its license plate.
Whether you're applying for state housing benefits, getting in line for public housing, requesting a mortgage, seeking subsidies, or dealing with legal disputes — in all these situations in Kazakhstan, you’ll need a certificate confirming whether or not you own real estate. This official document is issued in Form 6 (F-6) and confirms if a specific individual has any registered immovable property.
Today, there’s no need to visit a government office to obtain this certificate — it can be requested online in just a few minutes. Here are the most convenient ways to do it.
Buying precious metals is one of the oldest investment strategies. Today in Kazakhstan, you no longer need to visit a bank branch to buy gold bars — you can manage everything through an Unallocated Metal Account (UMA), which is opened directly at a bank.
Coffee culture is rapidly growing among young people, but older generations are just as fond of this energizing drink. Unsurprisingly, the coffee business remains one of the most promising sectors in Kazakhstan. However, it comes with its own specific challenges. As life gets faster and busier, many people no longer have time to sit in a cozy café — that’s where self-service coffee points come into play.
What Is a Self-Service Mini Coffee Shop?
This type of business is based on coffee vending machines that offer a wide variety of drinks — from espresso and americano to latte, cappuccino, and raf.
The customer selects a drink and pays by card. In less than a minute, they receive their freshly brewed coffee.
In 2024, over 655,000 tourists from China visited Kazakhstan. In fact, 2025 has been declared the Year of Chinese Tourism in Kazakhstan. This cooperation in the tourism sector strengthens cultural and economic ties between the two countries and creates favorable conditions for business operations.
How does WeChat Pay work? What are its advantages for buyers and sellers? How can it be used to pay for goods and services in Kazakhstan?
Оформление кредита предусматривает ежемесячные выплаты — погашение долга по частям. Сумма этих выплат складывается из двух компонентов: тело кредита, или основной долг (это те деньги, которые клиент непосредственно занял у банка), и проценты (начисляются за пользование заёмными средствами). Соотношение основного долга и процентов может быть разным, поэтому платежи делят на дифференцированные и аннуитетные.