The five-bank shortlist for foreigners in Almaty in 2026.
Halyk, Kaspi, Forte, BCC, Jusan — what each will and won't do for foreign nationals, what documents to bring, and the unwritten rules nobody puts in their FAQ.
If you're moving to Almaty in 2026, the question isn't which bank is best — it's which bank will actually open you an account this month. The answer depends on your passport, your patience, and whether you can show up in person before Friday.
We've opened roughly 180 accounts for foreign clients over the last three years. The shortlist below is what's actually working in March 2026 — not what the websites say should work.
The short version
If you only read this far: open Kaspi for daily life and Halyk for serious money. Skip BCC unless you're starting an LLP. Forte is fine if neither of the first two work for your passport.
Halyk Bank — for serious money
Halyk is the closest thing to a "real" international-grade bank in KZ. Their branch staff are trained on foreign clients, you can run business and personal accounts side by side, and their wire infrastructure is the most reliable in the country.
The catch: branch visit is mandatory, you'll wait, and unless you bring a translator they'll find a reason to hand you a form to take home. Plan for two visits.
"Three banks said no in February. By Friday at Halyk we had the account, the card, and the international wire approved."
— Marcus W., crypto fund founder, Singapore → Almaty
Kaspi — for daily life
If Halyk is the bank, Kaspi is the lifestyle. The Kaspi app is how Almaty pays for everything — utilities, taxis, restaurants, dentists, parking. Get one even if you also have Halyk. Especially if you have Halyk.
What to bring
- Passport. Original. Photocopies are not enough.
- IIN (tax number). If you don't have one yet, that's the first thing we sort.
- Registered address. Either your apartment registration or a notarised letter from your landlord.
- KZ phone number. Beeline or Activ. Not your home country roaming.
The unwritten rules
Mornings are easier than afternoons. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are easier than Mondays and Fridays. The same branch can give you different answers depending on which manager is on shift.
If you want help running this in parallel rather than learning it yourself, that's literally what we do.