Generally, after a Chinese individual or unit makes an invention, they can first file a national application with the China Patent Office. Then, file an international application within the 12-month priority period and claim priority. In this way, the applicant has 12 months to consider whether it is necessary to apply for a patent in a foreign country, how to file the application, and make necessary preparations for filing the application. According to relevant regulations, Chinese individuals or entities may directly file an international application after making an invention. However, the application must specify China as well as the foreign country. Applying for a patent in a foreign country requires paying considerable fees to foreign patent offices and patent attorneys, which are settled in U.S. dollars. Applicants filing international applications must entrust a prescribed patent agency. The patent agency will help applicants fill in various forms, modify application documents, and submit application documents to the China Patent Office, pay fees and handle various procedures.