Is the internet good enough for video calls and remote work?

In Almaty and Astana, internet speeds average 50–70 Mbps with fiber available in modern apartments. Video calls on Zoom and Google Meet work reliably. Mobile 4G/LTE provides a solid backup. Outside major cities, internet quality drops significantly.

Can I freelance in Kazakhstan without registering a business?

On a Neo Nomad Visa, you can freelance for foreign clients without Kazakh business registration. If you want to invoice Kazakh clients, you'll need to register as an Individual Entrepreneur (ИП) — a simple process at any PSC that gives you a 3% simplified tax rate.

What's the Astana Hub and how do I join?

Astana Hub is a government-backed technology park offering tax exemptions (0% corporate income tax, VAT, and social tax until 2028) for registered IT companies. Application is online, approval takes 2–4 weeks, and it's open to both local and international IT companies operating in Kazakhstan.

How's the startup ecosystem in Kazakhstan?

Growing rapidly. Astana Hub has over 1,400 registered startups. The AIFC provides venture capital funds and an English-language legal framework. Government grants and acceleration programs are available. The ecosystem is strongest in fintech, edtech, and logistics — but still young compared to established hubs.

Are there language barriers in professional settings?

In AIFC and Astana Hub, English is the working language. In Almaty's tech and startup scenes, English is increasingly common. However, most business outside these bubbles is conducted in Russian and Kazakh. Learning basic Russian significantly expands your professional opportunities.

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🇰🇿 Kazakhstan

Work & Business

Kazakhstan is positioning itself as Central Asia's tech and business hub, with the AIFC operating under English common law, Astana Hub offering tax-free status for IT companies, and a growing ecosystem of coworking spaces and startup accelerators. Remote workers thrive on the ultra-low cost of living, while entrepreneurs benefit from simplified company registration and a government actively courting international talent..

$100–$250/mo

Coworking (Almaty)

Hot desk

~60 Mbps

Internet Speed

Major cities

Until 2066

AIFC Tax Holiday

Corporate tax exempt

Tax-free IT

Astana Hub

Until 2028

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏔️Almaty 🏙️Astana

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Overview

Key Takeaways

Internet: 50–70 Mbps average in Almaty and Astana; fiber available in modern apartments
Almaty: SmArt.Point, Level8, City Hub, WeWork-style spaces along Dostyk Avenue
Company registration: 3–5 days via PSC (Public Service Center) or online through egov.kz
Astana Hub: regular events, demo days, and international conferences

Remote Working in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan offers an increasingly attractive environment for remote workers, with reliable internet in major cities (50–70 Mbps average), a growing number of coworking spaces, an excellent café culture for laptop work, and a cost of living that stretches any remote salary dramatically. The Neo Nomad Visa provides full legal authorization to work remotely for foreign clients.

Internet: 50–70 Mbps average in Almaty and Astana; fiber available in modern apartments
Mobile data: 4G/LTE coverage excellent in cities; ₸3,000–₸5,000/month ($6–$10) for unlimited data
Coworking: $100–$300/month in Almaty; $80–$250/month in Astana
Café culture: Almaty has excellent specialty coffee shops — most welcome laptop workers
Time zone advantage: UTC+5 overlaps with European mornings and Asian afternoons
Power: 220V/50Hz with European-style Type C and Type F plugs
Backup internet: mobile hotspot via Kcell or Beeline provides reliable backup

Coworking Spaces & Community

Almaty leads Kazakhstan's coworking scene with 15+ dedicated spaces, from budget-friendly options at $100/month to premium facilities in skyscrapers. Astana's options are growing, with IQ Coworking and Astana Hub serving as the main hubs for the international community. Most spaces offer day passes for testing before committing to monthly memberships.

Almaty: SmArt.Point, Level8, City Hub, WeWork-style spaces along Dostyk Avenue
Astana: IQ Coworking (200+ desks), ihub, Astana Hub (free for registered startups)
Day passes: $8–$25 depending on facility and location
Monthly hot desk: $80–$200 in most spaces
Private offices: $300–$800/month for 1–4 person offices
Amenities: WiFi, printing, meeting rooms, coffee — most include all basics
Community events: regular meetups, pitch nights, and networking events at major spaces

Starting a Business in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan ranks 25th globally in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index. Company registration takes 3–5 days, and the AIFC offers a unique English-language legal framework modeled on UK common law. For IT companies, the Astana Hub technology park provides comprehensive tax exemptions that make Kazakhstan one of the most tax-efficient places to run a tech business.

Company registration: 3–5 days via PSC (Public Service Center) or online through egov.kz
AIFC registration: English common law jurisdiction — ideal for international businesses
Astana Hub benefits: 0% corporate income tax, 0% VAT, 0% social tax until 2028
Minimum capital: no minimum for LLP (TOO) — Kazakhstan's most common business form
Business bank account: Halyk Bank and Forte Bank offer English-language business banking
Freelancer registration: Individual Entrepreneur (ИП) status — simplified tax at 3% of revenue
Key sectors: IT, fintech, energy, mining, agriculture, logistics

Professional Networking & Community

Kazakhstan's professional community is growing rapidly, driven by the tech ecosystem around Astana Hub and AIFC, plus a vibrant informal network in Almaty's cafés and coworking spaces. English-language professional events are becoming more common, particularly in fintech, blockchain, and startup circles.

Astana Hub: regular events, demo days, and international conferences
AIFC: professional networking events, legal seminars, and business forums
Digital Nomads Almaty (Telegram): active group for remote workers and freelancers
Startup Grind Almaty: monthly events connecting entrepreneurs and investors
InterNations: chapters in both Almaty and Astana for expat socializing
LinkedIn: increasingly used by Kazakh professionals — good for business development
Meetup.com: tech, language exchange, and business groups in both cities

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