Accreditation of Rep Office of a Foreign Company in Russia

A simple notification, which is all that is required in some countries, would not be sufficient in Russia. The Russian Law provides for a formal procedure for accreditation of representative offices of foreign companies.

Under this accreditation procedure a foreign company must file necessary documents to the State Registration Chamber of the Ministry of Justice of Russia. 

The list of documents required for accreditation is as follows:

* letter confirming the authority (power of attorney) issued in the name of a representative of the foreign company in Russia;

* written application stating the general details of the company (name, location, type of business, corporate bodies, management, etc.);

* articles of association (or any similar document);

* certificate of incorporation or an extract from the Trade Register certifying the company's registration;

* the foreign company's decision on establishing a representative office in Russia;

* bank statement from the country of the company's domicile as proof of the company's solvency;

* the company's regulation regarding the representative office;

* letters of reference from the Russian business partners (at least two written in a free form);

* document confirming legal address of the representative office to be established (e.g. a lease agreement for the premises of the representative office in Russia);

* filled out registration card with the representative office data (to be issued at the Registration Chamber).

All documents of foreign origin must be translated into Russian and duly notarized by the Consular Offices of the Russian Federation abroad (the Consulate stamp or the apostille).

In case of a favourable decision the accrediting body shall within 21 business days issue a permit for establishing a representative office and the certificate confirming that the representative office is listed in the Consolidated State Register. 

This certificate shall serve as the confirmation of the official status of the representative office and will be required to open bank accounts, register with the tax authorities, issue Russian visas and undergo customs procedures. Accreditation is normally issued for the period of 1, 2, or 3 years and is extendable.