In short: Suits those who are ready to visit a branch with a passport and want a Visa or Mastercard in soms, dollars or euros from a large bank with clear shareholders. The bank publishes no separate terms for Russian citizens.
Terms for non-residents
- Non-residents
- Yes
- Remote account opening
- No
- Visa / Mastercard
- Yes
- Russian-language support
- Yes
- Full name
- Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank (KICB)
- Founded
- 2001; the bank marks its 25th anniversary in October 2026
- Owner
- Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) 72%, Habib Bank Ltd. (HBL) 18%, State Property Management Agency 10% (official Shareholders page)
- Size
- KGS 94.9 billion (about USD 1.08 billion) in assets as of 30 September 2026 per the bank's report
- License
- National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic license No. 046 (also 046/1)
- Network
- 53 branches, more than 200 ATMs and more than 319 payment terminals across Kyrgyzstan
- Capital adequacy
- 18.3% as of 30 September 2026 against a 12% requirement
- Ruble correspondent account
- at MBA-MOSCOW bank; details published on the website
- Visa Gold
- free issue, free servicing in the first year, 3% a year on a balance of KGS 10,000 or more on a som card
- Visa Signature and Infinite
- Signature servicing KGS 6,000 or USD 60 a year, Infinite KGS 15,000 or USD 170 a year; free issue
- Ruble cash deposit in Bishkek
- 5% fee for amounts above 10,000 rubles for outgoing payments
Pros
- A large network: 53 branches, more than 200 ATMs and more than 319 payment terminals
- Principal member of Visa, Mastercard and UnionPay International
- Transparent shareholders (AKFED, HBL, the state) and capital adequacy of 18.3% against a 12% requirement
- Cards in soms, dollars and euros, including premium ones with business lounges and travel insurance
- Accounts are opened with a passport, and cash withdrawals in soms on cards are free
Cons and limits
- Mastercard Standard has not been available for issue since 10 September 2026
- There is no separate document list for Russian citizens on the website, and foreigners may need additional papers
- Visa and Mastercard cards of Kyrgyz banks work in Russia only under heavy restrictions
- Ruble transfers with a number of sanctioned Russian banks are restricted (bank statement, August 2024)
## About the bank
Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank (the KICB brand) was founded in 2001 and marks its 25th anniversary in October 2026. The controlling stake of 72% belongs to the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), another 18% to Habib Bank (HBL) and 10% to the state property management agency. The bank operates under its original name; it is not on the US, EU and UK sanctions lists that Keremet Bank, Capital Bank and EcoIslamicBank joined in 2025 and 2026.
According to the bank's report, assets at 30 September 2026 were KGS 94.9 billion. KICB is among the five largest banks in the country. Capital adequacy at 30 September was 18.3% against a 12% requirement.
## Account for non-residents
An account is opened at any branch: a passport and a form, which the bank provides. Under Kyrgyz law foreign citizens may need additional documents, as noted in a footnote on the official account page. The bank publishes no separate list for Russian citizens and introduces no special restrictions for them: the general procedure for foreigners applies.
## Cards and payments
The catalogue includes Visa and Mastercard cards in soms, dollars and euros, as well as Elkart+ for payments inside the country (free in the first year, then KGS 210).
| Card | Currencies | Servicing |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Gold | som, dollar | free in the first year |
| Visa Signature | som, dollar | KGS 6,000 or USD 60 a year |
| Visa Infinite | som, dollar | KGS 15,000 or USD 170 a year |
| Mastercard Gold | som, euro, dollar | free in the first year |
The bank no longer issues Mastercard Standard: the card has been unavailable since 10 September 2026. Premium cards include travel insurance and business lounge visits under the DragonPass program.
Mir has not worked in Kyrgyzstan since April 2024, and the bank does not report accepting the Faster Payments System (SBP). The bank is a principal member of UnionPay International, but there are no UnionPay cards in the catalogue.
## Transfers from Russia and fees
The bank has a ruble correspondent account at MBA-MOSCOW bank (details on the website). In August 2024 the bank said it did not work with a number of sanctioned Russian banks. Depositing cash rubles for outgoing payments in Bishkek costs 5% for amounts above 10,000 rubles.
## Who it suits
- Those who need an account at a large bank with a transparent shareholder structure and a wide network.
- Holders who need a premium card with business lounges and travel insurance.
- Those who are ready to visit a branch: foreigners do not open accounts remotely.
If you need a published tariff for foreigners, compare with Bakai Bank and MBANK.
Frequently asked questions
Does KICB open accounts for Russian citizens?
Yes, the general procedure for foreigners applies: visit a branch with a passport and fill in a form. There are no separate terms for Russians on the website, and the bank may request additional documents.
Can I open an account remotely?
The bank does not state that remote opening is available to foreign citizens. A card can be ordered on the website or in the app, but the account is opened at a branch.
How much does a card cost?
Issuing the main cards is free. Visa Gold and Mastercard Gold are serviced free in the first year. Signature costs KGS 6,000 or USD 60 a year, Infinite KGS 15,000 or USD 170 a year.
Does Mir work at KICB?
No. Mir cards have not been serviced in Kyrgyzstan since April 2024. The bank is a member of UnionPay International, but there are no UnionPay cards in its catalogue.
Is KICB on a list of sanctioned banks?
KICB is not on the lists that Keremet Bank, Capital Bank and EcoIslamicBank were added to.