Where the customer journey breaks down
Banks have a clear reason to demand documents. Non-residents carry an increased compliance burden: tax residency, sanctions checks, AML, stay status, and source of funds. This cannot be simplified to a single button.
But the entry into the process can be structured differently.
For example, an app could offer a “guest” scenario for a foreigner: without full registration, but with a document checklist, a readiness check, and a map of branches that accept non-residents. Another option is a preliminary questionnaire without opening an account, so the client understands what documents are missing before visiting.
Such logic does not negate KYC. It reduces frustration where the user does not yet understand local rules. For banks, this is especially important: a person might be ready to bring documents but will get lost on the first screen if the interface talks to them like a resident of Kazakhstan.
Why this matters for Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan remains one of the main destinations for “card tourism” in the region, especially for citizens of countries where international payments operate with restrictions. A bank card here is often needed not only for domestic purchases but also for travel, subscriptions, remote work, and cross-border settlements.
For banks, these are potential clients, but also an additional risk. Therefore, the question is not about opening cards for everyone who wants one. The question is how clearly the bank explains the rules to those it is ready to serve.
An important detail: strong UX for non-residents starts not with a beautiful screen, but with an honest route: what documents are needed, where to get them, and when the bank might refuse. If such a route is hidden behind registration with a local number, some clients will leave even before verification.
A comparison with Halyk, Freedom, Forte, and other banks in Kazakhstan begs to be made here, but requires a separate check of each bank’s official rules. Different players may have varying requirements for residence permits, IINs, tax numbers, branch appointments, and remote application submissions.
What’s next
Kaspi.kz in the source acts as an example of the card issuance algorithm, but the story itself is broader than one bank. The market received a useful signal: digital banks tailored for residents work worse with foreigners at the first step.
The next level of competition may not be about who issues a card faster, but who explains the path to the application more clearly to a non-resident. In Kazakhstan, this is no longer a niche scenario. For banks that want to serve visiting specialists, entrepreneurs, students, and relocants, it is becoming part of normal product design.