Translating a PCT Application for Saudi National-Phase Entry
This content is limited to translating an international Patent Cooperation Treaty application when it enters the Saudi national phase; it does not establish one rule for every patent document or every item of correspondence. The PCT is a filing system that proceeds through filing, international search, publication, and national phase. It does not itself grant an international patent, because grant remains with the relevant national or regional office. Saudi citizens and residents, whether individuals or companies, may file an international application with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property in Arabic or English. For Saudi national-phase entry, the patent application is filed within 30 months from the first filing or priority date, and an Arabic translation of the application is submitted. Filing may begin in English with a period to submit the translation, but a numeric length for that period should not be assumed; check the current instructions for the file. A copy of the international application is submitted when entry occurs early before publication. The 30-month national-phase period is different from the 12-month priority period for patents. The rules described here do not provide a complete schedule for translating every part of a file or every correspondence, and they do not establish a sworn-translator or translation-certification requirement in every case. For priority, prior-application data, a copy of the prior application, and an Arabic translation appear in a defined context; confirm the current requirement for the particular case. Following filing and payment, the application undergoes formal examination. A deficiency may be required to be corrected within no more than 90 days from notification; otherwise, the application is treated as if it had not been filed. Substantive examination begins after formal examination is completed. If any explanatory text conflicts with the controlling text, use the official Arabic text, applicable Regulations, and current Authority instructions, and record the verification date.
- International Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application
- Description of the invention
- Claims
- Abstract
- Drawings
- Filing forms
- Priority document and prior-application data
- Copy of the international application for early entry before publication
Determine whether the file is a national application or a PCT application entering the Saudi national phase, as the two routes have different requirements.
Confirm the first filing or priority date. The patent priority period is 12 months, whereas the national-phase route states a 30-month period from the first filing or priority date.
If the route is international filing with the Authority, citizens and residents may file the application in Arabic or English.
At Saudi national-phase entry, submit an Arabic translation of the application. Filing may begin in English with a period for translation, but do not assume a specific number before checking the file instructions.
Provide a copy of the international application if entry is early before publication. For priority, check whether a copy of the prior application and its Arabic translation are required for the case.
The filing guide states that protection documents and forms are submitted in Microsoft Word and gives font guidance of 14 for Arabic and 12 for English. Verify the current template before relying on it.
Complete the required payment and follow formal examination. If a deficiency must be corrected, the period may not exceed 90 days from notification; failure to correct it causes the application to be treated as if it had not been filed.
Substantive examination begins after formal examination. If a discrepancy or additional request arises, follow the official Arabic text, applicable Regulations, and current Authority instructions.
| Document type | Common use | Note |
|---|---|---|
Must a PCT application be translated into Arabic for Saudi national-phase entry?
Yes. At Saudi national-phase entry, an Arabic translation of the application is submitted. Filing may begin in English with a period to provide the translation.
Is a numeric deadline for submitting the translation published?
No detailed numeric period is published in this context; only the existence of a period to submit the translation is stated. Do not assume a specific duration, and check the current file instructions.
May the international application be filed in Arabic or English?
Yes. Citizens and residents, whether individuals or companies, may file the international application with the Authority in Arabic or English.
Does the PCT grant an international patent?
No. The PCT is a filing system, and grant remains the responsibility of the relevant national or regional office.
What is the difference between the 12-month and 30-month periods?
Twelve months is the patent priority period. Thirty months is the stated period for national-phase entry from the first filing or priority date.
Must every examination correspondence be translated?
No uniform rule here requires translation of every examination correspondence. Check the particular request or applicable instructions if an additional request arises.
Is a sworn translator required for every patent translation?
This route does not establish a sworn-translator requirement for every patent translation. Check for any specific requirement in your file.
Must the translation be certified in every case?
This route does not establish translation certification as a general requirement for every patent application. Do not assume it unless the competent authority requests it or it appears in the applicable text.
What does the Law provide about patent-application documents?
An application for a protection document is made on a form, and the Regulations determine the information and documents to be attached. This provision does not set out a complete translation schedule.
What happens when there is a formal deficiency?
The applicant may be required to correct the deficiency within no more than 90 days from notification. If it is not corrected, the application is treated as if it had not been filed.
Is a translation of the priority document required?
The filing guide addresses an Arabic translation of the priority document in a defined context, and translation may also be requested when needed in the PCT route. Do not generalize this to every case; verify the current requirement and deadline for your file.
Must a copy of the international application be submitted at national entry?
A copy of the international application is submitted if national-phase entry is early before publication.
Are the font sizes in the filing guide translation rules?
They are formatting guidance in the filing guide: 14 for Arabic and 12 for English. Verify the current template before relying on them; they are not general translation rules.
Does this guide apply to all patent documents?
No. It is limited to translating a PCT application for Saudi national-phase entry and does not establish a comprehensive rule for every national application, attachment, or correspondence.
What controls if explanatory text conflicts with the governing text?
Use the official Arabic text, applicable Regulations, and current Authority instructions, and record the verification date.
This guide is for general information and is not legal or consular advice. Always verify current requirements with the receiving authority.