Halyk Bank is Kazakhstan's largest bank and its main universal player: retail, corporate, investment products. For a non-resident Halyk is more conservative than Kaspi at onboarding, but it offers what Kaspi deliberately does not — a full premium tier: Halyk Premium and Halyk Private. Data as of July 2026.
Onboarding for non-residents
An account and card are opened in person only; opening via power of attorney is expressly excluded. The document set: passport, IIN (the Kazakh tax number) and an application form stating the purpose of the account. The IIN is issued in person at a public service center — remote issuance ended in 2024.
The practical cap: a non-resident gets no more than one card, valid 12 months — a reflection of ARDFM Resolution No. 96, which limits non-resident cards to one year. The account keeps working after the plastic expires; funds are not frozen.
Halyk Premium and Halyk Private
Halyk Premium brings a dedicated manager, safe deposit boxes and investment products; Halyk Private sits above it for larger capital. Under the tariffs in effect in 2024–2025 (Digital Business review):
| Product | Fee | Waiver condition |
|---|---|---|
| Premium debit cards | — | deposit from KZT 10 mln |
| Visa Signature | KZT 3,500/mo | spend from KZT 530k/mo or KZT 45 mln balance |
| Mastercard World Elite | KZT 5,000/mo | spend from KZT 500k/mo or KZT 45 mln balance |
Thresholds get revised — worth re-checking on the Premium page before a visit. For comparison, ForteBank's Solo package starts at a KZT 4 million deposit — a lower bar with a simpler proposition.
Sanctions aspect
Halyk is among the banks running enhanced compliance on Russia-related flows: SWIFT from sanctioned Russian banks mostly does not arrive, large amounts trigger source of funds checks, crediting takes 3–5 days or longer. It is a filter, not a ban: the National Bank of Kazakhstan confirmed publicly that non-resident funds are not being blocked and the only restriction is the card term. Funding routes from Russia are mapped in the Kazakhstan payment route piece.
Who it is for
Halyk is the anchor bank for a client settling in Kazakhstan long-term: with a residence permit, a deposit and a need for a personal manager. For daily payments a Kaspi card will still be needed — the country's payment rails run through it. It is not for remote openers or anyone needing a multi-card setup: one card per non-resident.
FAQ
Can a Halyk account be opened via power of attorney?
No — the bank expressly excludes it for non-residents. Personal visit with passport and IIN only.
How many cards does a non-resident get?
One, valid 12 months; the plastic is then reissued while the account continues uninterrupted.
What does Halyk Premium include?
A personal manager, safe deposit boxes, investment products and premium cards — free from a KZT 10 million deposit (2024–2025 tariffs; verify on the bank's site).
Do transfers from Russian banks arrive?
From sanctioned ones — generally no; from others — yes, with source-of-funds checks and 3–5 day crediting.