Obtaining a C5 business immigrants visa for Chinese citizens (PRC)

A foreign national from China contacted us with a request to register a legal entity in Kazakhstan. For entrepreneurial activities, it is required to obtain C5 business immigrants visa for citizens of China (PRC). A C5 visa is also required in cases of buyout of a company’s share.

Initially, a single-entry visa is issued for a period of 90 days, with the right to stay in Kazakhstan for the entire period of validity of the visa.

Features of the procedure for obtaining a C5 business immigrant visa for China nationals:

• Sponsoring entity in Kazakhstan. In our case, there was a company owned by a foreign citizen, which subsequently concluded a cooperation agreement with his legal entity. An invitation letter is being issued. Terms – 5-20 working days.
• A single-entry C5 business immigrants visa for China nationals can be obtained only in the country of citizenship in foreign institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan or in the country of permanent residence, provided there is a supporting document in the form of a residence permit, work visa or work permit.

List of documents to be presented to the Embassy for obtaining a C5 business immigrant visa for Chinese citizens:

1. Medical certificate confirming the absence of diseases that prohibit foreigners from entering the Republic of Kazakhstan.
2. Medical insurance.
3. Certificate of no criminal record issued by the authorized body.
4. Certificate of the absence of a ban on entrepreneurial activity.

Please note that certificates are issued only in the country of citizenship.

Certificates are subject to translation, notarization and apostille.

Depending on the location where the C5 business immigrant visa is obtained, Chinese citizens may be required to provide additional documents.

– For example, the Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Xi’an requires a business license. Thus, a foreign specialist must have a company in China to apply for a C5 visa to Kazakhstan.

– Also, it is required to provide a certificate of the company’s activities, where the position of the foreigner for whom the C5 visa is issued should be indicated (a mandatory requirement is the presence of a photo 3*4 size).

Stage 1 – obtaining a visa support number

Submitting an invitation letter to the Migration Service and obtaining a visa support number. A visa support number is issued within 5-7 working days after registration of the invitation letter. In rare cases, the consideration is delayed up to 30 calendar days due to the approval of the National Security Committee.

List of documents for obtaining a visa support number:

• Letter of invitation (preparation on the side of consultants).
• Power of attorney from the company for our employees (preparation on the side of consultants).
• Payment of state duty in the amount of 0.5 MCI from the company.
• A copy of the foreign citizen’s passport.
• Electronic version of the invitation letter.

It is important to know the planned date of entry into the Republic of Kazakhstan. The data is specified in the invitation letter. The visa will be issued for the specified period. If you do not apply to the embassy/consulate on time, the visa will be issued not from the date of application, but for the period specified in the invitation letter.

Stage 2 – inserting a visa at the embassy/consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan

At this stage, the foreigner applies to the embassy/consulate with a full package of documents for inserting a visa. The procedure takes 3-5 working days.

List of documents for inserting a visa:

• Original passport. There are a number of criteria for a passport of a foreign citizen. Check with consultants for details.
• Letter of invitation with visa support number.
• Visa application form.
• A medical certificate confirming the absence of a disease that prohibits foreigners from entering the Republic of Kazakhstan.
• Medical insurance.
• Certificate of no criminal record issued by an authorized body.
• Certificate of absence of a ban on entrepreneurial activity.
• Payment of state duty.

Stage 3 – entry to Kazakhstan and extension of a C5 business immigrant visa for Chinese citizens

Step-by-step action plan on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan:

1. Upon arrival on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, it is required to submit an entry notification within three working days.
2. Proceeding with IIN.
3. Receive confirmation from Aythorities.
4. Submit documents to extend a C5 business immigrant visa for China nationals.

Processing time is 15-30 working days.