How long does it take to apply for a patent

Legal analysis: The procedure of applying for a patent usually takes eighteen months to three years. According to relevant laws and regulations, an application for a patent for invention or utility model requires 18 months of preliminary examination and 3 years of substantive examination. The application for a patent for design requires a preliminary examination of 18 months.

Legal basis: People's Republic of China (PRC) Patent Law.

Article 34 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 after 18 months from the date of filing. The patent administration department of the State Council may publish its application at an early date upon the request of the applicant.

Article 35 Within 3 years from the date of filing, the administrative department for patent in the State Council may, upon the request of the applicant at any time, make a substantive examination of the application; If the applicant fails to request substantive examination within the time limit without justifiable reasons, the application shall be deemed to have been withdrawn. The patent administrative department of the State Council may, when it deems it necessary, examine the application for a patent for invention on its own.