How long does it take to apply for a patent?

1. The time to apply for a patent is: the invention patent is within four and a half years; The patent for utility model and design is eighteen months. The processing time of invention patent includes eighteen months from application to publication and three years from the examination of patent substance; The utility model patent and the design patent do not need substantive examination, but only preliminary examination.

Article 34 of the Patent Law of People's Republic of China (PRC). After receiving an application for a patent for invention, the administrative department for patent in the State Council, after preliminary examination, finds that it conforms to the provisions of this Law, and shall publish it immediately after 18 months from the date of application. The patent administration department of the State Council may publish its application at an early date upon the request of the applicant.