Foreign companies and organizations may open representative offices in the Russian Federation upon receipt of an appropriate permit from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation which is authorized to issue such permits by the Russian legislation.

Representative offices of foreign companies may be opened for the purpose of promoting trade and economic cooperation and enabling Russian organizations and private businessmen to gain access to foreign markets.

A foreign company wishing to open a representative office must submit the following documents to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry:
- a written application stating the name of the foreign company, the date of its establishment and its location, the purpose for which the company wishes to open a representative office, description of the company's business, information about business relations with Russian organizations and the prospects of cooperation;
- the charter (articles of association) or another document which substitutes for it by virtue of the requirements of the local legislation (an extract from the Trade Register, an extract from the Bank Register, etc.);
- the registration certificate or an extract from the Trade Register;
- a letter of recommendation from the bank or banks which service the foreign company, containing information about the company's solvency.

The aforementioned documents must be submitted in the form of notarized copies certified by Russia's consular offices abroad or with an "apostille" and a Russian translation.

If a representative office is to be opened in Russian regions, a letter of recommendation or a petition must be submitted from the regional chamber of commerce and industry.

The representative of the foreign company who conducts negotiations on the opening of a representative office in Russia on behalf of the company must produce a duly executed power of attorney to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Telephones for inquiries: (095) 929-02-60, 929-02-59

Accreditation Department of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation.