On approval of the Rules of Operation of international and foreign educational institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan and (or) their branches and the forms of their cooperation
Order of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated April 16, 2026 No. 191. Registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan on April 20, 2026 No. 38479
In accordance with subparagraph 17-1) of Article 5-3 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Education", I ORDER:
1. To approve the attached Rules of Operation of international and foreign educational institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan and (or) their branches and the forms of their cooperation.
2. The Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan should ensure:
1) the state registration of this order in the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
2) posting of this order on the Internet resource of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
3. Control over the execution of this order is entrusted to the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
4. This order shall enter into force upon the expiration of ten calendar days after the date of its first official publication.
Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan
S. Nurbek
Approved by the Order of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan on April 16, 2026 No. 191
Rules of activity of international and foreign educational institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan and (or) their branches and forms of their cooperation
Chapter 1. General provisions
1. These Rules of Operation of International and Foreign educational institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan and (or) their branches and the forms of their cooperation (hereinafter referred to as the Rules) have been developed in accordance with subparagraph 17-1) of Article 5-3 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Education" (hereinafter referred to as the Law) and determine the procedure for the activities of international and foreign educational institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan and (or) their branches and the forms of their cooperation.
2. The following concepts are used in these Rules:
1) an international educational institution is an organization of higher and (or) postgraduate education, established on the initiative of the Governments of two or more states and carrying out educational activities in the field of higher and (or) postgraduate education in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan with the issuance of a document on education of its own sample, recognized in the territories of the states;
2) a branch of an international educational institution is a separate structural subdivision of an international educational institution engaged in educational activities in the field of higher and (or) postgraduate education in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan with the issuance of a document on the education of an international educational institution recognized in the territories of the states;
3) foreign educational institution – an organization of higher and (or) postgraduate education, established on the initiative of a foreign educational institution and carrying out educational activities in the field of higher and (or) postgraduate education in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan with the issuance of a document on education of a foreign educational institution recognized in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan and in the territory of a foreign state;
4) a branch of a foreign educational institution is a separate structural subdivision of a foreign educational institution that carries out educational activities in the field of higher and (or) postgraduate education in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan independently or jointly with a Kazakh organization of higher and (or) postgraduate education (hereinafter referred to as – Kazakh OVPO) with the issuance of a document on education of a foreign educational institution or two educational documents (a foreign educational institution and a Kazakh OVPO) recognized in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan and in the territory of a foreign state.
Chapter 2. The procedure for the activities of international and foreign educational institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan and (or) their branches
3. Management of international and foreign educational institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan and (or) their branches is carried out in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, unless otherwise provided by international treaties, decisions of the authorized body.
4. The procedure for organizing educational activities, admission to training and quality management of education is regulated in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and internal documents of international and foreign educational institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan and (or) their branches, ensuring the quality of education not lower than the quality of education in international and foreign educational institutions.
5. Financing of international and foreign educational institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan and (or) their branches is carried out at the expense of own funds, investment funds, funds received for students' education, charitable donations from legal entities and individuals, and other sources not prohibited by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The placement of a state educational order from the republican budget is carried out after the adoption of the draft law on the republican budget for the relevant period by the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and must comply with the norms of budget legislation.
6. International and foreign educational institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan and (or) their branches develop their development strategies and (or) development programs and (or) development plans and ensure their effective implementation.
7. The educational activities of international and foreign educational institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan and (or) their branches are an integral part of the educational process and are aimed at the formation of patriotism, citizenship, internationalism, high morality, legal culture, interfaith tolerance, as well as the development of diverse interests and abilities of students.
8. International and foreign educational institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan and (or) their branches, in accordance with the specifics of their work, have the right to establish direct links with foreign educational, scientific and cultural organizations, international organizations and foundations, and conclude bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements.
9. The activities of international and foreign educational institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan and (or) their branches are terminated by a decision of the authorized body in the following cases::
1) entry into force of the decision of the authorized body on revocation and revocation of the license and (or) the appendix to the license to engage in educational activities for violation of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of education and on permits and notifications;
2) the absence of a valid certificate of international accreditation, including for educational programs;
3) violations of the conditions stipulated by international treaties or agreements on the basis of which their creation was carried out;
4) on the initiative of their founder(s).
The decision to terminate the activities of international or foreign educational institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan and (or) their branches is made by the authorized body, taking into account the obligations of international or foreign educational institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan and (or) their branches to ensure the rights and interests of students, including their transfer to other educational organizations.
Chapter 3. Forms of cooperation between international and foreign educational institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan and (or) their branches
10. International and foreign educational institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan and (or) their branches carry out their activities on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the forms of a joint educational program, a double degree program and a strategic partnership.
The implementation of dual degree programs implies the compliance of educational programs of the organization of higher and (or) postgraduate education partners with the issuance of two educational documents.
A joint educational program is being developed by the Kazakh OVPO together with a foreign educational institution with the issuance of one document of education.
Dual degree programs and joint educational programs are characterized by the acceptance by the parties of common obligations to define the goals and content of the programs, organize the educational process, award degrees or confer qualifications.
The strategic partnership implies improving the quality of higher education by sending qualified teaching staff to a foreign educational institution, introducing teaching methods of a foreign educational institution, training local teachers through advanced training courses, internships, seminars, conducting joint research taking into account regional needs and ensuring the development of interdisciplinary, joint and double-degree educational programs.
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