Kazakhstan is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents notarised in Kazakhstan and apostilled by the competent ministry are generally accepted in India without embassy attestation. Indian citizens can also sign before the consular officer at the Embassy of India in Astana. Kazakh companies can usually invest in India under the automatic route. Kazakhstan is not a reciprocating territory, and India and Kazakhstan have a tax treaty.
- Document route
- Kazakh notary and apostille, or Indian Embassy attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 30 minutes ahead of Kazakhstan all year
- Foreign judgments in India
- Not reciprocating: fresh suit
- Apostille with India
- In force: apostille accepted
Indians in Kazakhstan and Kazakh business with India
Indian students form one of the largest groups of foreign students in Kazakhstan, studying medicine at universities across the country. Indian pharmaceutical companies are major suppliers to the Kazakh market, Indian IT and engineering firms work on energy and infrastructure projects, and Kazakhstan supplies uranium for India's nuclear programme under long-term contracts. Indian traders and restaurateurs live in Almaty and Astana, and marriages between Indian and Kazakh partners are growing.
We help with apostilles for students and professionals, powers of attorney, buying and selling property in India, contracts with Indian companies, marriage registration and recovering money from Indian parties.
Signing documents in Kazakhstan for use in India
Kazakhstan has been a party to the Hague Apostille Convention since 2001, so documents can be apostilled rather than legalised. The usual chain is:
- Sign before a notary in Kazakhstan with your passport, usually with a Russian or Kazakh translation attached.
- Obtain the apostille from the competent authority, which for notarial documents is usually the Ministry of Justice, often through the Government for Citizens service centres.
- Courier the signed original to us; in India it is stamped within three months before use.
Indian citizens can also sign before the consular officer at the Embassy of India in Astana. Russian and Kazakh documents need a certified English translation.
Most requested services from Kazakhstan
These six services cover most of what Indians and businesses in Kazakhstan need from an Indian lawyer. Each page explains the route from Kazakhstan, including the apostille, and what then happens in India.
Power of Attorney
An apostilled power, or one signed at the Embassy in Astana, lets someone act for you in India.
Apostille & Attestation
Indian documents apostilled for Kazakhstan, and Kazakh degrees for use in India.
Buying & Selling Property
NRIs in Kazakhstan buy and sell Indian homes through an attorney holder.
Commercial Contracts
Pharmaceutical, energy, food and machinery contracts with Indian companies.
Marriage Registration
Indian and Kazakh couples register their marriage for visas, OCI and property.
Money Recovery from India
Kazakh businesses recover unpaid dues and advances from Indian parties.
Documents for Indian medical students
Before leaving India, students need school certificates, birth certificates and sometimes police clearance apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs after state or board verification. On return, Kazakh degrees, transcripts and internship certificates must be apostilled in Kazakhstan for the National Medical Commission and the foreign medical graduate screening process. Name mismatches between passports and university records cause many problems, so we check them early.
Tax treaty and property
India and Kazakhstan have a double taxation avoidance agreement in force since 1997. Kazakh tax residents can claim treaty rates on Indian income with a tax residence certificate and Form 10F. NRIs in Kazakhstan can buy and sell Indian property, other than agricultural land and farmhouses, freely, and repatriate up to USD 1 million per financial year from an NRO account after tax. Kazakh citizens without OCI status generally cannot buy property in India.
Kazakh judgments and family matters
Kazakhstan has not been notified as a reciprocating territory under section 44A of the Code of Civil Procedure, so a Kazakh judgment can only found a fresh suit in India. Kazakhstan is a party to the New York Convention, and the Astana International Financial Centre has its own arbitration centre whose awards can generally be enforced in India. A marriage registered in Kazakhstan is recognised in India if valid there, and a Kazakh spouse can usually apply for OCI after two years of a registered marriage.
All services for clients in Kazakhstan
NRI Property Law
- Property Disputes
- Encroachment & Illegal Possession
- Partition of Family Property
- Buying & Selling Property
- Title Search & Due Diligence
- Tenant Eviction
- Builder Delay & RERA
Inheritance & Documents
Cross-Border Family Law
- Divorce for NRIs
- International Child Custody
- Maintenance & Alimony
- Marriage Registration
- 498A & Dowry Case Defence
- OCI Card Issues
Doing Business in India
- Company Setup for Foreigners
- Indian Subsidiary Setup
- Branch & Liaison Office
- FDI & FEMA Compliance
- Trademark Protection in India
- Commercial Contracts
- Employment Law for Foreign Employers
- GST for Foreign Businesses
- Investing in Indian Startups
- Legal Advisory for NRI Investors
Disputes & Enforcement
- International Arbitration
- Enforcing Foreign Judgments
- Money Recovery from India
- Shareholder Disputes & NCLT
- Accident Compensation Claims
- Cyber & Investment Fraud
- Criminal Defence & Look Out Circulars
Cross-Border Tax & Money
Indian missions in Kazakhstan
The Embassy in Astana provides passport, OCI, consular and attestation services for Indian nationals in Kazakhstan, including students.
- Embassy of India, Astana
Frequently asked questions
Does India accept Kazakh apostilles?
Yes. Generally yes, since both are Apostille Convention members.
How do I apostille my Kazakh medical degree for India?
In Kazakhstan, through the competent ministry, before you return if possible.
Can I sign a power of attorney at the Embassy in Astana?
Yes, if you hold an Indian passport, before the consular officer.
Can a Kazakh company invest in India?
Generally yes, through the automatic route.
Can a Kazakh judgment be enforced in India?
Not directly. A fresh suit is needed.
Is there a tax treaty between India and Kazakhstan?
Yes, in force since 1997.
Can my Kazakh spouse get OCI?
In most cases, after the marriage has been registered for two years.
How do we communicate?
Over video calls, email and WhatsApp messages. Kazakhstan is 30 minutes behind India.