Obtaining licenses is needed only for those types of activities that are directly stated in the law. Examples include health care services, notary services, telecommunications services, and juridical services.

Licensing procedures are often slow and non-transparent, though amendments are aimed at improving and simplifying the issuance of licenses such as:

• The number of activities that are subject to licensing has been reduced and includes 434 automated electronic services for 86 licenses, 296 permits and 51 notification procedures and 1 certificate requirement
• License issuance has been simplified based on a “one window” principle;
• The process of license deprivation is executed by the court;
• Operation of a license is not territorially limited; and
• Licenses must be issued within a 25-day period (for small businesses, seven days).
• Provisions for issuing a license are determined by certain government agencies in accordance with the type of license.

To simplify procedures and as part of its e-Government strategy, Kazakhstan introduced E-licensing - an electronic license application.  E-licensing allows the individual applying for a license the ability to monitor the status of the application. One can find detailed information on Kazakhstan’s electronic licensing website.

There are a number of U.S. and local legal service providers that can assist companies establish a joint venture in Kazakhstan; see the U.S. Mission’s Commercial Section’s Business Service Providers listings.