Buying SIM cards in Kazakhstan: new rules take effect from January 3
Tengrinews.kz – The Ministry of Digital Development and Artificial Intelligence has explained new rules for purchasing SIM cards in Kazakhstan, which came into force on January 3, 2026.
The ministry reminded that from this year, SIM cards in Kazakhstan can only be issued after biometric identification. The measure is aimed at combating mobile and online fraud.
“Unfortunately, we face cases of online fraud that require investigations, and this becomes much more difficult when a phone number is not properly registered to a specific individual. In order to clearly understand that a number belongs to a particular citizen and is not being used in malicious schemes, the rules were changed and biometric identification was introduced when purchasing SIM cards,” First Vice Minister Rostislav Konyashkin said at a government briefing.
Background: Biometrics refers to technologies used to recognize and identify individuals based on unique biological or behavioral characteristics, such as fingerprints, iris patterns, facial features, palm geometry, DNA or vein patterns. Biometrics is considered one of the most reliable authentication methods, as these traits are difficult to forge or steal, unlike passwords or cards.
As explained by Damir Seisembekov, Chairman of the Telecommunications Committee under the ministry, the new rules took effect at the beginning of the year.
“When purchasing SIM cards online, biometric identification is required. However, buying SIM cards in operators’ customer service offices is also possible through an in-person visit. Since January 3, the rules have been in effect, and all operations related to mobile operators’ applications are already carried out using biometric verification,” Seisembekov said.
If a SIM card is purchased in a regular retail store, users will receive an SMS during activation, allowing them to confirm their identity before starting to use the new card.
“In my opinion, there is little sense now in buying SIM cards in regular shops. You can easily do this through mobile operators’ applications. If biometric identification is difficult for you or you do not have a smartphone, you can visit official sales offices of mobile operators,” Seisembekov explained.
He also reminded that Kazakhstan has introduced a limit of 10 SIM cards per person.