1. It usually takes eighteen months to apply for a patent for utility model and design. Because generally only 18 months of preliminary examination is needed;
It takes eighteen months to four years and six months to apply for an invention patent. Because it needs 18 months of preliminary examination and 3 years of substantive examination.
legal ground
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.
Article 40
If the application for a patent for utility model or design is not found rejected after preliminary examination, the administrative department for patent in the State Council shall make a decision to grant the patent right for utility model or design, issue the corresponding patent certificate, and register and announce it at the same time. The patent right for utility model and the patent right for design shall take effect as of the date of announcement.