Security Guard Services in Kazakhstan

How to Become a Licensed Security Guard in Kazakhstan

Private security activity in Kazakhstan is regulated by Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 85-II of October 19, 2000 “On Security Activity” (Ob okhrannoy deyatelnosti). Only legal entities holding a license issued under the Law “On Permits and Notifications” may provide security services.

Competent authority: The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan oversees security activity and supervises the training centers that prepare security guards and managers of private security organizations. gov.kz

Requirements for Security Guards

• Citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Art. 10)
• At least 19 years old (Art. 10)
• Completion of special security guard training at a specialized training center designated by the competent authority (Arts. 10 and 10-1); the law does not state the number of training hours
• No criminal record (Art. 10)
• Not registered with a mental health care organization for mental and behavioral disorders, including those related to the use of psychoactive substances (Art. 10)
• No conviction for a criminal misdemeanor and no administrative penalties under the listed articles of the Code of Administrative Offenses within the last year (Art. 10)
• No dismissal on negative grounds from state or military service, law enforcement agencies, courts or justice bodies within the last three years (Art. 10)
• Managers of private security organizations must meet the same requirements as security guards (Art. 10)

Application Steps

1. Complete special security guard training at a specialized training center designated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs
2. Confirm that the requirements are met: Kazakh citizenship, age 19 or older, and no disqualifying record of convictions, administrative penalties or mental health registration
3. Take employment with a licensed private security organization
4. For armed posts, the organization must hold a permit for the storage, possession and carrying of weapons, and the guard must undergo periodic checks of fitness to use weapons

Agency Licensing

Security activity requires a license issued under the Law “On Permits and Notifications”; legal entities without a license may not provide security services (Art. 5). Security organizations of foreign states may not operate in Kazakhstan, and foreign legal entities, legal entities with foreign participation, foreign nationals and stateless persons may not carry out security activity, found or cofound a private security organization or take one into trust management (Art. 5). The competent authority maintains a single register of security activity providers and training centers, including information on suspended and revoked licenses (Art. 21). The 2026 amendments require organizations to notify territorial police units of the suspension, termination or resumption of activity, as well as of work outside their place of registration, and to submit activity reports to the competent authority.

Private security organizations may acquire smoothbore long-barreled and short-barreled service weapons and other listed types; rifled service weapons are prohibited, except for organizations linked to certain national companies (Art. 18). Acquired weapons must be registered within one week, and the permit for storage, possession and carrying is valid for five years (Art. 18). Weapons and special equipment may not be used for purposes not provided for by law, or against women, persons with obvious signs of disability or persons known to be minors, except in cases of armed or group attack; each use of a service weapon must be reported to the authorities within 24 hours (Art. 19). Security guards undergo periodic checks of fitness to use special equipment and service weapons (Art. 19). Under the 2026 amendments, organizations suspending their activity must hand over weapons and ammunition for storage to the internal affairs bodies.

The permit for the storage, possession and carrying of weapons is valid for five years (Art. 18). Security guards and managers undergo advanced training at specialized training centers (Art. 10-1) and periodic checks of fitness to use weapons (Art. 19); the text of the law reviewed does not state their frequency or the license validity period.

Sources

• Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan, Department for Control of Security Activities
• Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan: official page
• Law “On Security Activity” No. 85-II, full text (unofficial copy at pavlodar.com)
• Law “On Security Activity” No. 85-II, Article 5 (unofficial copy at pavlodar.com)
• Bes.media: Tokayev signed a law tightening rules for security organizations (February 12, 2026)

Requirements change. Confirm current rules with the official competent authority before applying. This summary is general information, not legal advice. Last reviewed November 2026.