Kazakhstan (KZ)

Monthly fee: Free (Gold card and account)

Requirements: Valid passport + IIN. In-person visit to any Kaspi Bank office. Account opened in approximately 15 minutes.

• + Essential for daily life — every shop, café, market, and taxi accepts Kaspi Pay (QR payments)
• + Free instant KZT transfers between Kaspi users 24/7
• + Kaspi.kz super-app covers payments, marketplace, utilities, transport tickets, government fees
• + Free Kaspi Gold debit card (Visa)
• + No monthly fees on standard account
• + Currency exchange available in-app

• - App interface primarily in Russian and Kazakh — no English version; functional Russian or Kazakh required to navigate independently
• - Limited international transfer capabilities — Kaspi is not suitable for SWIFT outbound transfers; use Halyk or Forte Bank for international wires
• - Not ideal for holding foreign currency — Kaspi accounts primarily KZT-denominated; USD/EUR accounts more limited than Halyk or Forte
• - IIN required before account opening — foreigners must obtain an Individual Identification Number (IIN) first, which requires a visit to the migration authority; allow 1–3 weeks after arrival

Monthly fee: Free for basic current account; premium packages available

Requirements: Valid passport + IIN + migration registration document or residence permit. Visit a branch — 30–60 minutes.

• + Largest and most established bank in Kazakhstan — widest branch and ATM network
• + Best for SWIFT international transfers (incoming and outgoing)
• + Foreign currency (USD, EUR) accounts available
• + Widely accepted for corporate and salary accounts
• + Homebank mobile app for daily banking

• - More conservative account-opening requirements for non-residents — migration registration document or residence permit required; tourist-visa holders face restrictions
• - App and interface primarily in Russian — no English version; navigating independently requires Russian language ability
• - Transfer fees are higher than Kaspi for domestic transactions — Halyk domestic transfer fees exceed Kaspi's free transfers; Kaspi remains better for everyday KZT payments
• - International SWIFT fees: ₸2,000–5,000 per outbound transfer plus 0.1–0.2% — significant for regular remittances; Wise is cheaper for transfers to EU, UK, or US

Monthly fee: Free for basic accounts; fees for premium services

Requirements: Valid passport + IIN. Generally more flexible for expats. Branch visit required; some online opening for IIN holders with EDS digital signature.

• + More flexible with expat documentation than some traditional banks
• + Multi-currency accounts available (USD, EUR, KZT)
• + Good mobile app with regular updates
• + International Mastercard/Visa cards accepted abroad
• + Online account opening possible with EDS digital signature

• - Smaller ATM network than Kaspi or Halyk — fewer ATMs in Almaty and Astana; less reliable cash access outside major cities
• - Russian-language interface — no English version in app or internet banking; functional Russian required for self-service banking
• - Less brand recognition than Kaspi or Halyk — fewer employers and landlords familiar with Forte Bank for payroll or rent receipt
• - International SWIFT fees: ₸2,000–5,000 per outbound transfer — Wise is cheaper for regular remittances to EU, UK, or other destinations

Monthly fee: Free for basic accounts

Requirements: Valid passport + IIN. Branch visit required.

• + Access to Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) and Astana International Exchange (AIX) investment brokerage
• + Competitive KZT deposit rates
• + Good for expats interested in Kazakhstan equity and bond investments

• - Less suited for everyday banking compared to Kaspi — no QR payment ecosystem; not accepted by many retail merchants for standard Kaspi-style payments
• - Smaller branch network — fewer locations in Almaty and Astana; less convenient for routine in-person banking
• - Russian-language interface — no English version; not suitable as primary account for non-Russian speakers without assistance
• - International SWIFT fees apply — Wise is cheaper for regular remittances outside Kazakhstan; Freedom Bank rates not competitive for personal international transfers

Monthly fee: Free for basic KZT current account; annual Visa/Mastercard card fee ₸1,500–4,000

Requirements: Valid passport, IIN, migration registration card or residence permit. Branch visit required. One of Kazakhstan's top 5 banks by assets.

• + Consistent top-5 Kazakhstani bank — good stability and branch coverage in Almaty and Astana
• + USD, EUR, and KZT multi-currency accounts
• + International Visa and Mastercard debit cards accepted outside Kazakhstan
• + BCC.kz mobile app for transfers and utility payments
• + SWIFT transfers available for international wires
• + Good for expats whose employer uses BCC for payroll

• - Russian-language interface — no English version in app or internet banking; English support limited at branch level in most locations
• - Smaller ATM network than Kaspi or Halyk — fewer ATMs across Kazakhstan; less reliable cash access outside major cities
• - Less digitally innovative than Kaspi.kz super-app ecosystem — BCC app is functional but lacks the integrated marketplace, utility payment, and QR payment features of Kaspi
• - Migration registration card or residence permit required — tourist-visa holders face restrictions; same documentation constraints as Halyk