Establishing a Local Presence in Russia

The first step in setting up a representative office in Russia is to decide the purpose and scope of the office. This includes listing the type of activities that the office will engage, its place, and the setup of the organization.

Once these details have been confirmed, the next step is to choose a name for the representative office that meets Russia's company registration regulations. The name must be distinct and not alike to any current Russian company.

In addition, the applicant must secure a tax identification number, known as an INN, which is a unique identifier assigned to the representative office for tax purposes. This step involves enrolling 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 unique identifier assigned to the representative office for registration purposes.

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

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

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

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

It is also essential to obtain the necessary authorizations and permissions to operate in Russia, including any permits or necessary for unique activities.

Additionally, it is strongly suggested that you partner with local professionals, such as lawyers, accountants, or other service providers, with expertise in Russian law to guide you through the registration process and make sure conformity with all applicable laws and regulations.

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