Establishing a Local Presence in Russia

The first step in establishing a representative office in Russia is to define the purpose and scope of the office. This includes identifying the type of activities that the office will engage, its location, and the organization of the organization.

Once these details have been determined, the next step is to choose a name for the representative office that complies with Russia's company registration regulations. The name must be unique and not identical to any current Russian company.

In addition, the applicant must obtain a tax identification number, known as an INN, which is a unique identifier assigned to the representative office for tax purposes. This step involves registering with the Russian Tax Authority, known as the Federal Tax Service.

The applicant must also secure a Unified State Register of Legal Entities (USRLE) code, which is a specific identifier assigned to the representative office for registration purposes.

Another important step is to create an agreement between the local representative and the parent company that establishes the relationship between the two organizations, outlines their responsibilities and obligations, and covers the payment of passport translation services and costs.

To enroll a representative office in Russia, the applicant must file an application to the Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography along with the required documents, including the articles of association, the agreement between the local representative and the parent company, and documentation of the parent company's registration with a foreign registry.

The Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography will verify the submitted documents, investigate the parent company's registration with foreign registries, and ensure that all required tax and registration formalities have been finished.

Once the application is accepted the representative office will be registered and the applicant will receive a state registration certificate.

It is also vital to acquire the necessary authorizations and permissions to conduct business in Russia, including any licenses or required for specific activities.

Additionally, it is highly advised that you engage with local professionals, such as lawyers, accountants, or other service providers, with expertise in Russian law to advise you through the registration process and ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

Upon completion of the registration process, the representative office will be registered and can begin conducting business in Russia.