Astana Hub: 0% Tax for IT Companies in Kazakhstan (2026)

Astana Hub International Technopark offers registered IT companies 0% corporate income tax, 0% VAT, and reduced individual income tax until January 1, 2029. According to Astana Hub’s official data, 1,700+ companies (350+ foreign from 20+ countries) are registered, generating $1.6 billion in collective revenue. Foreign companies can register extraterritorially without being physically present in Kazakhstan. Registration is free, online, and takes 15 business days. The main requirement: at least 90% of your revenue must come from priority IT activities (software development, AI, big data, cybersecurity, automation, fintech, edtech).

Astana Hub is Kazakhstan’s answer to Dubai Internet City, Estonia’s e-Residency, and Georgia’s IT visa, but with one major advantage: genuinely zero taxes across all major categories, not just corporate income. While Dubai charges 0% in free zones but has high operating costs ($4,400+/month), and Estonia charges 20% CIT on distributed profits, Astana Hub offers 0% CIT and 0% VAT in a country where a single person lives comfortably on $1,000-1,500/month. According to FExpert tax analysis, the combination of zero taxes and low cost of living makes Kazakhstan one of the most financially efficient jurisdictions for IT companies globally.

Tax Benefits: What Exactly Is 0%

Astana Hub participants pay 0% corporate income tax on IT revenue, 0% VAT on domestic sales, 0% social tax for foreign employees, and reduced individual income tax. According to Astana Hub’s 2026 tax guide, these benefits apply until January 1, 2029, giving companies approximately 3 years of tax-free operation from today.

Tax Category	Standard Kazakhstan Rate	Astana Hub Rate	Savings
Corporate income tax (CIT)	20%	0%	20% of profits
Value added tax (VAT)	12%	0%	12% of domestic revenue
Social tax (foreign employees)	9.5%	0%	9.5% of payroll
Individual income tax (IIT)	10%	Reduced	Varies

What “0%” Really Means in Practice

The tax exemptions apply specifically to revenue from priority IT activities. If your company earns revenue from non-IT services (consulting, marketing, physical product sales), those portions are taxed at standard rates.

The 90% rule (NEW for 2026): According to Astana Hub’s updated requirements, at least 90% of your company’s total revenue must come from priority IT activities. Companies that fall below this threshold risk losing all tax benefits, not just the portion exceeding the limit.

How Companies Lose Their Tax Benefits

According to FExpert, the most common reasons for losing Astana Hub status:

1. Revenue mix violation: Less than 90% of income from IT activities
2. Reporting errors: Incorrect classification of revenue streams in tax filings
3. Missing documentation: Failure to maintain contracts and invoices that prove IT activity
4. Activity mismatch: Performing work that does not match the 19 approved IT categories
5. Compliance failures: Late submissions or incomplete annual reports

Who Can Register: Requirements

Any company whose primary business is IT can apply, regardless of country of origin. The key requirement is that your revenue comes from one or more of the 19 approved priority IT activities. There are no minimum revenue, employee count, or investment thresholds.

The 19 Priority IT Activities

Astana Hub accepts companies working in:

1. Software development and maintenance
2. Artificial intelligence and machine learning
3. Big data analytics
4. Cybersecurity
5. Automation and robotics
6. Internet of Things (IoT)
7. Cloud computing
8. Blockchain and distributed ledger technology
9. Financial technology (fintech)
10. Educational technology (edtech)
11. Health technology (healthtech)
12. Electronic commerce platforms
13. Digital media and content
14. Game development
15. Virtual and augmented reality
16. Telecommunications software
17. GIS and geospatial technology
18. Digital government services
19. IT consulting and system integration

Who Cannot Register

• Companies where the state owns 50%+ of shares
• Subsoil users (mining, oil, gas companies)
• Companies already participating in another special economic zone (SEZ)
• Companies whose primary revenue is from non-IT activities

Registration Process: Step by Step

Registration is free, fully online, and takes approximately 15 business days. You do not need to visit Kazakhstan, open a local office, or hire Kazakh employees. Foreign companies from any country can register extraterritorially.

Step	What Happens	Timeline
1	Create account on astanahub.com	10 minutes
2	Fill out the application form in your personal cabinet	30-60 minutes
3	Upload supporting documents (company registration, description of activities)	Same day
4	Application review by Astana Hub moderation team	5 business days
5	Commission review and decision	10 business days
6	Receive participant status notification	After step 5
Total		~15 business days

Required Documents

• Company registration certificate (from your country of origin)
• Description of IT activities and services
• Proof that IT activities constitute 90%+ of revenue (financial statements, contracts, portfolio)
• Company charter or articles of incorporation

After Registration

Once approved, you receive:

• Participant certificate confirming Astana Hub membership
• Tax ID for Kazakhstan tax reporting
• Access to Astana Hub ecosystem: events, mentorship, investor network, co-working space
• C3 visa sponsorship for foreign employees (up to 5 years, no limit on number of foreign workers)

Astana Hub vs Global Competitors

Astana Hub ranks first overall when comparing tax benefits, cost of living, and visa access across major IT hubs. According to Numbeo, Kazakhstan is 4.4 times cheaper than Dubai for equivalent quality of life, while offering the same 0% corporate tax in a tech zone.

Factor	Astana Hub (KZ)	Dubai Internet City	Estonia e-Residency	Georgia IT	Uzbekistan IT Park
Corporate tax	0%	0% (free zone)	20% CIT	5% (or 1% small)	0% (until 2040)
VAT	0%	5%	22%	18%	0%
Cost of living/month	$1,000	$4,400	$1,800	$1,100	$800
5-year cost savings vs Dubai	$220K+	Baseline	-	-	-
Visa for employees	C3 (5 years)	2 years	Schengen	1 year	Limited
Need physical presence?	No	Yes	No (digital)	Yes	Yes
Ecosystem size	1,700+ companies	1,600+	100K+ e-residents	~200 IT firms	1,300+
Tax benefit expiry	2029	Indefinite	N/A	Indefinite	2040
Registration cost	Free	$1,000-5,000+	$100-120	Varies	Free

Why Astana Hub Beats Dubai

Dubai Internet City offers 0% corporate tax but costs 4-5 times more to operate:

• Dubai office rent: $2,000-5,000/month vs Astana: $300-800/month
• Employee housing allowance in Dubai: $2,000-4,000/month vs Kazakhstan: $400-700/month
• Dubai business license fees: $1,000-5,000+ vs Astana Hub: free

For a 5-person IT company, the total annual savings of choosing Astana Hub over Dubai exceed $200,000, primarily from cost of living and office costs.

Why Astana Hub Beats Estonia

Estonia’s e-Residency is popular for EU market access and banking, but:

• Estonia charges 20% CIT on distributed profits (Astana Hub: 0%)
• Estonian cost of living is 80% higher than Kazakhstan
• Estonia offers no special IT visa (you need Schengen separately)
• Astana Hub provides direct visa sponsorship (C3, up to 5 years)

Astana Hub’s Weakness: The 2029 Deadline

The biggest risk is the expiration of tax benefits on January 1, 2029. Unlike Uzbekistan’s IT Park (benefits until 2040) or Dubai (indefinite), Astana Hub’s tax holiday has a known endpoint. The government may extend it (they have done so before), but there is no guarantee. Plan for the possibility that after 2029, standard Kazakhstan tax rates (20% CIT, 12% VAT) will apply.

For Digital Nomads and Freelancers

Astana Hub is not just for companies. Individual IT professionals can benefit through the B9-1 Digital Nomad Residency which provides IT accreditation through Astana Hub, enabling access to reduced tax rates and the Hub’s network.

Three Ways to Use Astana Hub as an Individual

1. Register a foreign company at Astana Hub (extraterritorially, 0% tax, keep your existing entity)
2. Get B9-1 visa through Astana Hub accreditation (IT professionals, up to 10 years residence)
3. Register a Kazakh TOO (LLP) at Astana Hub (for those who want a local entity)

Note: individual entrepreneur (IP) registration is only available to EAEU citizens. Non-EAEU foreigners must use a TOO or register their foreign company, according to Alatau City Bank.

Startup Benefits

Astana Hub offers additional support for early-stage companies:

• Up to $40,000 in investment for qualifying startups
• Access to investor networks (up to $10 million in connections)
• Mentorship programs and acceleration tracks
• Free or subsidized co-working space at Astana Hub facilities
• Regular hackathons, demo days, and networking events
• Annual GO DIGITAL EURASIA conference (July 2026) connecting Central Asian and global tech communities
• Partnerships with international accelerators and venture funds

For IT professionals considering relocation, the B9-1 Digital Nomad Residency visa provides a direct path: Astana Hub handles the IT accreditation required for the visa, giving you both tax benefits and long-term residency (up to 10 years) through a single application pipeline. The Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1) is available for non-IT remote workers who want to live in Kazakhstan while their company is registered at Astana Hub remotely.

Living and Working in Kazakhstan

Most Astana Hub participants who relocate choose between Almaty (mountains, cafes, larger expat community) and Astana (capital city, newer housing, government proximity). Both cities offer fast internet (100-500 Mbps fiber), Kaspi Bank for cashless payments, and a growing IT community.

For families relocating to Kazakhstan, Astana is particularly attractive: 82% of housing stock is modern (post-2000 construction), state kindergartens cost $40-60/month, and international schools (Miras, Haileybury) are available. See our family relocation guide for detailed costs.

For a complete overview of daily life, costs, internet, coworking, and the first-week setup process, see our Digital Nomad in Kazakhstan guide.

Kazakhstan’s IT Sector: Context and Growth

Kazakhstan’s IT sector is the fastest-growing in Central Asia. According to Forbes, the country invested $2.5 billion in digital infrastructure between 2018 and 2025, and IT exports reached $665.5 million by 2024. The government’s goal is $1 billion in digital product exports by 2026.

Astana Hub is the centerpiece of this strategy. According to Statista, Kazakhstan’s IT services market is projected to grow 8-10% annually through 2028. The combination of government investment, tax incentives, and a young tech workforce (median age 30) creates conditions that did not exist five years ago.

Key IT sector statistics:

• 58% of IT job vacancies are in Almaty according to Digital Business Kazakhstan
• Average IT salary: 360,000 KZT/month (~$835), senior positions exceed 1,000,000 KZT ($2,325)
• According to World Bank data, Kazakhstan has the highest GDP per capita in Central Asia ($13,890 in 2024)
• Internet penetration: 91% of population, with fiber reaching 85%+ of urban apartments

Registration Costs and Ongoing Obligations

Registration at Astana Hub is completely free. There are no annual membership fees, no minimum investment requirements, and no mandatory local hiring. The main ongoing obligation is annual reporting to demonstrate that 90%+ of revenue comes from IT activities.

Obligation	Frequency	Details
Annual revenue report	Yearly	Must show 90%+ IT revenue
Tax reporting	Quarterly	Standard KZ tax filing (most items are 0%)
Activity compliance	Ongoing	Must continue performing approved IT activities
Renewal	Automatic	Status continues unless compliance fails

There are no hidden costs or setup fees. Companies pay only standard Kazakhstan administrative fees for filings (minimal amounts) and any external accounting or legal services they choose to use. Many Astana Hub participants hire a local accounting firm for $100-300/month to handle all filings and compliance requirements on their behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Astana Hub and what tax benefits does it offer?

Astana Hub is Kazakhstan government-backed international technopark for IT companies. It offers 0% corporate income tax, 0% VAT, 0% social tax for foreign employees, and reduced individual income tax until January 1, 2029. Registration is free and can be done online from any country.

Can a foreign company register at Astana Hub?

Yes. Foreign companies from any country can register extraterritorially without physical presence in Kazakhstan. 350+ foreign companies from 20+ countries (US, Singapore, China, Korea, UAE, Turkey, Germany, Estonia, Georgia) are already registered. The process takes about 15 business days.

What are the requirements to join Astana Hub?

Your company must derive at least 90% of revenue from priority IT activities (19 categories including software development, AI, cybersecurity, fintech). The state cannot own 50%+ of shares, and you cannot be a subsoil user or already in another special economic zone. There are no minimum revenue or employee requirements.

How does Astana Hub compare to Dubai Internet City?

Both offer 0% corporate tax for IT. The key difference is cost: Kazakhstan is 4.4 times cheaper than Dubai for equivalent quality of life. A 5-person IT company saves approximately $200,000+ over 5 years by choosing Astana Hub over Dubai. However, Dubai tax benefits are indefinite while Astana Hub expires in 2029.

When do Astana Hub tax benefits expire?

January 1, 2029. This gives approximately 3 years from now. The government may extend benefits (they have previously), but there is no guarantee. Uzbekistan IT Park offers similar benefits until 2040. Plan for the possibility of standard rates (20% CIT, 12% VAT) applying after 2029.

Can freelancers use Astana Hub?

Yes, through three paths: (1) register your foreign company at Astana Hub extraterritorially, (2) get the B9-1 Digital Nomad Residency visa through Astana Hub IT accreditation, or (3) register a Kazakh TOO (LLP) at Astana Hub. Individual entrepreneur (IP) registration is only available to EAEU citizens.

Do I need to be physically in Kazakhstan to use Astana Hub?

No. Foreign companies can register and operate as Astana Hub participants without any physical presence in Kazakhstan. However, if you want to hire employees locally or get a C3 visa for foreign workers, some physical setup is needed.

What visa does Astana Hub provide for foreign employees?

Astana Hub sponsors C3 category visas for foreign employees of member companies, valid for up to 5 years. There is no limit on the number of foreign workers, and no separate work permit is required. This is simpler than the standard Kazakh employment visa process.

Last verified: March 2026. Tax rates and Astana Hub requirements are subject to change. Check astanahub.com for current information.