Two Kazakh banks resume card issues to non-residents

ALMATY. June 10 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan's Nurbank and Home Credit Bank have resumed the issue of payment cards to non-residents.

"The bank has resumed the issue of payment cards to non-resident clients. To apply for a card or receive additional information, please visit your nearest branch," Nurbank said on its website.

Home Credit Bank's call center confirmed that foreigners may now obtain cards once more.

"Yes, non-residents of the Republic of Kazakhstan may only apply for debit cards in the physical branch," the bank told Interfax. It also said that foreign citizens must bring their passport, individual identification number (IIN) certificate and employment contract.

"This refers to either an employment contract with a Kazakh employer, a university enrollment document or a visa or temporary residence permit for Kazakhstan," the bank said.

In January, a range of Kazakh banks reported that they were to suspend card issues to non-residents, among them Halyk Bank, Kaspi Bank, Eurasian Bank, Nurbank and the Kazakh subsidiary of VTB . All of them, except Eurasian Bank and Nurbank, reinstated the service in February.

Kazakhstan's Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market previously imposed restrictions on card validity periods and the number of cards which each non-resident could take out.