Dear CERBA Members and Partners,

According to the information kindly provided by CERBA Corporate Member – Intermark Relocation, please be informed that the migration authorities of the city of Moscow and Moscow region are now extending the practice of inviting chief executives (general managers, heads of branches and representative offices) for an interview. This is now applicable to all companies for the purpose of company accreditation as an inviting company, for Moscow region also for the purpose of obtaining initial HQS work permits.

What are the changes?

As of now, state authorities request an in-person visit of a chief executive for an interview for all companies in the following cases:

1. In Moscow migration office (Pokrovka Street 42) and Moscow region migration office (Solyanka street 9A bld. 1):

- upon initial accreditation of a company (for the purpose of processing invitation letters);

- upon change of the accredited company’s chief executive.

In Moscow, an interview is also requested if the accredited company has not been applying for invitation letters for more than 1 year.

2. In Moscow region migration office (‘Greenwood’ business centre) for the purpose of filing an initial HQS work permit application.

In practice, such an interview usually takes no more than 10-15 minutes and is perfunctory in nature: the questions may deal with the area of the company’s activities, number of employed foreigners, expected number of invitation letters.

Intermark comment

Intermark recommends to account for this requirement when planning the mentioned immigration processes, especially if the chief executive’s availability is limited. In case an in-person visit is necessary for filing an application Intermark specialists will assist with arranging the visit and will accompany.

Who is affected?

Companies, which procure invitation letters from migration authorities of the city of Moscow and Moscow region or apply for initial HQS work permits in Moscow region.

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