Licensing in the AIFC

The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) offers companies the opportunity to operate within a special jurisdiction based on the principles of English law. The advantages of the AIFC include:

  • a high level of legal protection,
  • flexible regulation,
  • transparent procedures,
  • tax incentives.

The AIFC is primarily aimed at companies providing financial services, the so-called regulated activities. These include investment management, insurance, Islamic banking, conventional banking and other financial services. To carry out such operations, companies must obtain a licence from the AIFC financial regulator — the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA).

What should you know about the main stages of obtaining a licence (authorisation)? The lawyers of REVERA Kazakhstan have shared the key points in a memo.