Strengthening Control Over Company Registration in Kazakhstan: Ban on Fictitious Legal Addresses
In November 2025, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan presented an initiative aimed at restricting the registration of legal entities at fictitious addresses. The document proposes strengthening control and transparency in the corporate sector, as well as minimising illegal operations conducted through shell companies.
Purpose of the Changes
The primary objective of the draft is to eliminate the registration of companies at unverified addresses and prevent the use of fictitious locations for conducting business. The initiative seeks to reduce instances of legislative circumvention and increase trust in the corporate environment.
Current Registration Procedure
At present, prior to the amendments coming into force, registration of legal entities in Kazakhstan is permitted using a legal address rental agreement, even if the business does not actually have an office or premises at that address.
This has created broad opportunities for the use of 'mass addresses' and fictitious locations.
The proposed changes are designed to eliminate such practices.
How the New Verification Will Work
The draft order strengthens the role of financial monitoring entities, which will be required to:
- Conduct enhanced due diligence on clients and their representatives;
- Confirm the actual location of the legal entity;
- Prevent the registration of companies at unreliable or unverified addresses.
- Control will extend to both the registration stage and the subsequent monitoring of activities.
Expected Outcomes
The initiative is anticipated to lead to:
- A reduction in the number of companies created to circumvent legislation;
- Lower risks of financial fraud;
- Increased transparency and strengthened trust in the business environment.
What This Means for Entrepreneurs
After the adoption of the amendments, registering a company at a formal address without a physical presence will become significantly more difficult and risky.
Businesses should consider:
- The use of 'mass' legal addresses may become grounds for registration refusal;
- Failure to confirm a genuine location may lead to additional inspections;
- More stringent selection and documentary confirmation of the address will be required.
Recommendations for Companies
- Choose only verified and confirmed addresses, with a landlord's consent letter and actual business premises.
- Avoid serviced legal addresses that do not imply real physical presence.
- Prepare documents: lease agreement, premises acceptance certificate, confirmation of the landlord's ownership rights.
- Review current legal addresses, especially in cases of mass leasing.
How We Can Help
The REVERA team is ready to provide comprehensive legal support for registration and changes to the legal address, including:
- Risk analysis of the chosen address and recommendations for secure alternatives;
- Preparation of a full set of supporting documents;
- Support during registration or change of legal address;
- Consultations on financial monitoring requirements;
- Audit of corporate procedures for compliance with new requirements.
We will help structure the registration and corporate administration process to minimise risks and ensure full compliance with legislation.
Contact us via direct message or email: kazakhstan@revera.legal
Author: Alibek Slan
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