Accreditation for Foreign Employees and Businesses for Russia

More and more migrant workers from around the world are considering Russia as a place to move to and further their careers. As a culturally rich nation, Russia has a great deal to offer prospective migrant workers and their families. Not only does it have a wide range of established and thriving traditional industry sectors, including oil and gas, mining, aircraft manufacturing, aerospace, electrical engineering, automotive, transport, road and agriculture machinery production, it also has a growing service sector, especially in the areas of finance and technology. Applying for a Standard Work visa in Russia can be a lengthy and complex process, involving several steps for both employer and employee. Part of this involves the employee gaining personal accreditation in order to receive an accreditation card. In addition, overseas businesses wishing to establish themselves in Russia, either as a branch or representative office, also need to apply for accreditation. In this article, we will explain the purpose of accreditation for foreign employees and also for overseas businesses establishing a representative office in Russia and how to apply.

What is an employee accreditation card for Russia?

Under Russian law, all foreign employees in Russia, whether working for a Russian company or an overseas organisation with a branch or subsidiary in the country, must complete the accreditation process and receive an accreditation card. The accreditation process is handled by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation.

Accreditation involves a series of checks to ensure the employee is permitted to work in Russia. Without an accreditation card, there is a risk of serious penalties for the employer and employee.

Before a foreign company can initiate the process of applying for a work permit for a prospective foreign worker, they must first apply for a personal accreditation card on behalf of the employee. Even if a personal accreditation card is issued, the employer still needs to apply for and a secure work permit/visa for the candidate.

Do I need to apply for an accreditation card?

If you intend to hire a foreign national to work for your business, whether you are a Russian business or an overseas business with a branch or subsidiary representative office in Russia, you will need to secure an accreditation card on their behalf before applying for a work permit.

Personal accreditation is needed for overseas candidates who require a:

• Work visa/permit to work for a Russian employer
• Permit to work for a representative office or branch of a foreign company in Russia

How do I apply for a personal accreditation card?

Employers in Russia can apply to accredit up to five foreign employees at one time. The registration fee for an accreditation card is set to a maximum of 15,000 Roubles.

The application process for an accreditation card in Russia is handled by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation. It can take up to six months to secure an accreditation card for a prospective foreign worker for your organisation, hence it is important to initiate this process as early as you can.

Accreditation of branches and representative offices of foreign companies

Another aspect of accreditation, other than the personal accreditation of foreign workers, is the accreditation of overseas businesses setting up a branch or representative office in Russia. This allows the Russian authorities to carry out the necessary checks to grant permission for the business to operate in Russia. For overseas entities, entering the Russian market in their respective industry and sector represents a significant milestone in the growth of their business, hence it is important to ensure you follow the necessary legal process to gain the permission needed. To become an accredited representative office or branch of a foreign company in Russian can be a complex process, hence it is advisable to secure the expertise of an immigration lawyer specialising in Russian immigration law.

How can a branch or representative office of a foreign company register for accreditation in Russia?

When applying for accreditation as a foreign business intending to operate in Russia, you can do so as a branch or representative office. The main difference between a branch and a representative office is that the branch is able to conduct all activities of the head office, while the representative is limited to only representing the interests of the head office. Despite the difference, the application process does not differ between accreditation of branches or representative offices. The process of securing accreditation for a foreign company as a branch or representative office in Russia is as follows:

• Submit an application and the required documents to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation. You will need to provide information such as your industry sector code and the number of foreign nationals who will work in the branch or representative office.
• Pay the overseas business registration fee to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation
• Register with the Russian Federal Tax Service for payment of state taxes

Reiss Edwards have the resources and expertise to assist with all aspects of Russian immigration. If you need assistance with accreditation for foreign employees or for overseas businesses establishing a representative office in Russia or any other immigration matter, contact our immigration solicitors on 020 3744 2797 or by email at info@reissedwards.co.uk