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Regional patent guide · Updated

Patent applications in the GCC states (GCCPO)

Since January 2021 the GCC Patent Office (GCCPO) no longer accepts applications for GCC patents covering all six states: you file country by country or enter each country from the PCT, and the GCCPO handles applications for Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. GCC patents granted earlier stay in force, with annual fees paid to the GCCPO.

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Patent applications in the GCC states (GCCPO)
Current status: Since January 2021 the GCC Patent Office no longer accepts applications for GCC patents covering all six states. It now receives and examines patent applications for Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, with grants effective only in the states chosen. For Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman, apply in each country. GCC patents granted before 2021 remain in force.

Five questions first

Which route?No single filing covers all six states any more: file in each country within 12 months of your first filing, or enter each country from a PCT application within 30 months of the priority date.Details ↓What do I need?Description, claims, abstract and drawings, in Arabic for the GCCPO; proof of priority; applicants without a residence in the Gulf must appoint a registered agent resident in a Gulf state.Details ↓How are official fees charged?Annual fees for granted GCC patents: SAR 2,000 for individuals or SAR 4,000 for companies in the 2nd year, rising each year; new applications pay the receiving office's fees.Details ↓How long until grant?Statutory: a 12-month priority period and a 30-month PCT entry deadline. The GCCPO publishes no average examination time, so the time to grant varies case by case.Details ↓What are the main risks?Following outdated "one filing, six states" advice means missed deadlines; new patents cover only the states chosen; a GCC patent lapses once its annual fee is 6 months overdue.Details ↓
Key facts

Patents at the GCC Patent Office: key facts

OfficePatent Office of the Secretariat General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCCPO), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Website and search links: IP Toolbox.
Member statesSaudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait
LawGCC Patent Regulation (1999 amended version) and its Implementing Regulations; amended by the Supreme Council at its 41st session on 5 January 2021, published in Official Gazette No. 22 of the Secretariat General (11 April 2021)
Current statusSince January 2021 applications are no longer accepted under the former system, and GCC patents covering all six states are no longer granted
States that use the GCCPOBahrain, Kuwait (from 1 January 2023) and Qatar (from 1 July 2023) have entrusted the GCCPO with receiving applications and carrying out formal and substantive examination; grant needs the consent of the states chosen and has effect only in them
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, OmanHave not entrusted the GCCPO; apply to each national authority (in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, SAIP)
GCC patents already grantedRemain in force in all member states until their statutory term expires (Article 4 of the amending law)
Term (statutory)20 years from the filing date (Article 15)
Annual fees (statutory)From the year after filing, due within 3 months of the start of each year; a further 3-month grace period with a surcharge, and the patent lapses if still unpaid after 6 months (Article 16)
Priority (statutory)12 months (Article 7)
PCTAll six states are PCT members, each with a national phase entry deadline of 30 months from the priority date; there is no regional "Gulf patent" under the PCT
Foreign applicantsApplicants without a residence in a Gulf state must appoint a registered agent resident in a Gulf state (Article 6)
Language of filingGCCPO guidelines require the application and all attachments in Arabic

Checked on 2026-10-07; general information only — the office's published rules and fees prevail.

Member states

How to apply for a patent in each of the six member states now

CountryNew patent applicationsPCT in force since
Saudi ArabiaApply to the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP); see Trademark registration in Saudi Arabia3 August 2013
United Arab EmiratesApply to the UAE's national authority; see Trademark registration in the United Arab Emirates10 March 1999
QatarReceived and examined by the GCCPO since 1 July 2023; see Trademark registration in Qatar3 August 2011
KuwaitReceived and examined by the GCCPO since 1 January 20239 September 2016
BahrainReceived and examined by the GCCPO since 1 January 202318 March 2007
OmanApply to Oman's national authority26 October 2001

The states using the GCCPO are as stated in its announcements; as of its latest announcement, from October 2025, the same three states had entrusted it. Granted GCC patents remain in force in all six states.

Which route

Country-by-country filing or PCT national phase entry

The GCCPO no longer grants patents covering all six states, so two approaches remain in the Gulf: file in each country within 12 months of your first filing and claim its priority, or file a PCT international application first and then enter the national phase in each country. Either way you end up with national patents, each paid for and maintained separately.

ItemDirect filing in each country (claiming priority)PCT national phase in each country
Filing deadline (statutory)Within 12 months of your first filingWithin 30 months of the priority date, the same in all six states
Where to fileSaudi Arabia: SAIP; Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar: through the GCCPO; the UAE and Oman: the national authorityComplete the national phase formalities in each country you need
When you choose the countriesWithin 12 months, when fees also startAs late as 30 months, after seeing the international search report
Best forClear target countries, only one or two of themThree or more countries, or markets you are still assessing

For Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, the GCCPO receives the application and carries out formal and substantive examination; grant needs the consent of the states chosen and has effect only in them. The GCCPO's public materials do not say whether one application can choose several of these states at once, or whether fees are charged per state; the agent confirms this in the GCCPO system before filing.

Patent basics for Saudi Arabia and the UAE are in the "Other IP rights" section at the end of Trademark registration in Saudi Arabia and Trademark registration in the United Arab Emirates.

For filing services, see Patent Application and PCT International Application.

What to prepare

Documents checklist

For filings through the GCCPO for Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, the following is usually needed; for Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman, prepare documents under each country's rules, which are broadly similar.

Applicant

  • Applicant's name, address and nationality; inventor's name
  • Power of attorney and other signed documents, as the agent instructs

Application documents

  • Description, claims, abstract and drawings
  • GCCPO guidelines require the application and all attachments in Arabic; documents drafted in English need an Arabic translation

Priority

  • Date, number and country of the earlier application
  • Proof of the earlier application; without it, priority is not recognised (Article 7)

Representation

  • Applicants without a residence in a Gulf state must appoint a registered agent resident in a Gulf state (Article 6)
How long

Process and timeline

Example: an application through the GCCPO for Bahrain, Kuwait or Qatar.

  1. Step 1

    Choose countries and route

    File in each country within 12 months of your first filing, or enter each country from the PCT within 30 months of the priority date (statutory)

  2. Step 2

    Filing and formal examination

    Once the GCCPO confirms the application meets the requirements, it records the filing date and carries out formal examination

  3. Step 3

    Substantive examination

    After the substantive examination fee is paid, the GCCPO examines the application or refers it to an approved body

  4. Step 4

    Grant

    With the consent of the states chosen, the patent is granted, with effect only in those states

  5. Step 5

    Maintenance

    Pay annual fees each year under the rules of the receiving office

The GCCPO publishes figures on applications received, examined and granted, but no average examination time, so this page gives no estimate; time limits for replying during examination are set in each communication.

How to read the periods: "statutory" = set by law; "official statistics" = averages published by the office; "estimate" = typical cases. Actual timing varies.

How much

Official fees

GCCPO fees are in Saudi riyals (SAR), with separate rates for individuals and companies. Granted GCC patents (and applications filed before 2021 that are still pending) pay annual fees to the GCCPO each year; the annual fee amounts are the same in the fee schedules before and after 2021. New applications received for Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar pay under the current schedule; filings in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman pay each country's official fees, which are not in this table.

FeeWhen to payIndividuals (SAR)Companies (SAR)
GCC patent annual feeFrom the year after filing, within 3 months of the start of each year2nd year 2,000, plus 100 each year, 3,800 in the 20th year2nd year 4,000, plus 200 each year, 7,600 in the 20th year
Surcharge for a late annual feeWhen paid in the following 3-month grace period5001,000
Recording an assignment or change of ownerWhen recorded5001,000
New application: filing fee (received for Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar)On filing1,5003,000
New application: grant and publication feeOnce grant is approved2,5005,000

Source: GCCPO website fee schedules (the current schedule and the schedule for applications filed before 5 January 2021) and Article 16 of the GCC Patent Regulation; the website does not state when the current schedule took effect; checked on 2026-10-07.

Example: a company's GCC patent filed before 2021 and already granted enters its 9th year: the annual fee of SAR 5,400 is due within 3 months of the start of that year; if paid in the following 3 months, a SAR 1,000 surcharge is added.

Where a new application chooses more than one of Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, the GCCPO has not said publicly whether these fees are charged per state; the payment notice issued by the GCCPO system on filing is what counts.

The GCCPO's current schedule does not list a separate substantive examination fee for new applications; the payment notice issued by the GCCPO system on filing is what counts.

Service fees are quoted by the agent after you submit the order; you pay only after accepting the quote.

Watch out

Rules specific to the GCC Patent Office and common examination issues

Outdated "one filing, six states" advice no longer applies

Since January 2021 the GCCPO no longer accepts applications under the former system. Many sources still say one GCCPO application covers all six states; planning on that basis means missing the priority and PCT entry deadlines for Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman.

New patents cover only the states chosen

The GCCPO examines on behalf of Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar; grant needs the consent of these states and the patent has effect only in the states chosen (Article 1 bis of the amending law). To protect Saudi Arabia, the UAE or Oman, file there separately within the same deadlines.

A GCC patent lapses once its annual fee is 6 months overdue

Annual fees for granted GCC patents are due within 3 months of the start of each year, with a further 3-month grace period and a surcharge; if still unpaid after 6 months, the patent lapses (Article 16), ending protection in all six states together.

No "Gulf patent" under the PCT

The only regional patents obtainable via the PCT are ARIPO, Eurasian, European and OAPI patents. A PCT application must enter each Gulf state where you want protection, within 30 months of the priority date.

After grant

Keeping the patent in force

Granted GCC patents remain in force in all six member states until their term expires (Article 4 of the amending law); annual fees, assignments and other formalities are still handled by the GCCPO.

WhenWhat to doOfficial fee
Within 3 months of the start of each yearPay the annual fee for a granted GCC patent to the GCCPO; applications filed before 2021 and still pending pay as wellSAR 2,000–3,800 for individuals, SAR 4,000–7,600 for companies (rising from the 2nd to the 20th year)
Following 3-month grace periodPay the late annual fee with the surcharge; if it is still unpaid, the patent lapsesSurcharge: SAR 500 for individuals, SAR 1,000 for companies
Any timeRecord an assignment or change of owner with the GCCPOSAR 500 for individuals, SAR 1,000 for companies
20 years from the filing dateThe GCC patent term expires (Article 15)—
Newly granted national patentsPay annual fees to the receiving office under each country's rulesVaries by country

Article 16 says fees are paid in advance at the start of each year, from the year following the filing date, and the official fee schedule lists the 2nd to the 20th year. The GCCPO's official FAQ (in Arabic) states that the fee follows the calendar year: from the calendar year after the filing date, it falls due at the start of each year, is paid normally within the first 3 months and with a surcharge in the following 3 months; if it is still unpaid, the patent lapses. This applies to GCC patents under the old system (applications filed before 2021) and to applications still pending, not to the national patents the GCCPO has handled for member states since 2023. Before paying, rely on the due date your local agent has checked against the GCCPO's records, not on your own calculation.

FAQ

Patent applications at the GCC Patent Office

Can I still apply for a GCC patent covering all six Gulf states?

No. The GCC Supreme Council amended the Patent Regulation on 5 January 2021, and the GCCPO then stopped accepting applications under the former system. To obtain patents in the Gulf you now file in each country or enter each country from the PCT; the GCCPO receives and examines applications for Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, but a grant has effect only in the states chosen.

Are GCC patents obtained before 2021 still valid?

Yes. Under Article 4 of the amending law, patents already granted by the GCCPO remain in force in all member states until their statutory term expires, 20 years from the filing date. Annual fees are still paid to the GCCPO each year, and a patent lapses once a fee has been unpaid for 6 months.

Where do I file a patent application for Kuwait, Bahrain or Qatar?

Bahrain and Kuwait since 1 January 2023, and Qatar since 1 July 2023, have entrusted the GCCPO with receiving patent applications and carrying out formal and substantive examination; applications are filed through the GCCPO's e-filing system. The result is a patent for the states chosen, not a GCC patent covering all six states.

Can a PCT application enter a "Gulf patent"?

No. The only regional patents obtainable via the PCT are ARIPO, Eurasian, European and OAPI patents. All six Gulf states are PCT members, and a PCT application must enter each country you need within 30 months of the priority date.

The Gulf states share a trademark law: can one registration cover all six?

No, and trademarks and patents are separate systems: the GCCPO deals only with patents. Saudi Arabia and Qatar apply the GCC Trademark Law as their national law, while the UAE has its own federal trademark law; in every case trademarks are registered country by country. See Trademark registration in Saudi Arabia, Trademark registration in the United Arab Emirates and Trademark registration in Qatar.

Do the application documents have to be in Arabic?

For filings through the GCCPO, yes. GCCPO guidelines require the application and all attachments in Arabic, so a description and claims drafted in English need an Arabic translation. For Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman, file as each country requires.

Other IP rights

Trademarks: Gulf trademarks are registered country by country; there is no Gulf trademark covering all six states. Saudi Arabia and Qatar apply the GCC Trademark Law and the UAE its own federal trademark law; see Trademark registration in the United Arab Emirates and Trademark registration in Saudi Arabia.

Industrial designs: outside the GCC patent system; file in each country.

Patent applications are handled through an affiliated patent agency.

What about trademarks in the Gulf?

Trademark registration in Saudi ArabiaApply to SAIP, one class per application; Saudi Arabia can be designated through Madrid from 8 October 2026.Trademark registration in the United Arab EmiratesApply to the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, or designate the UAE through Madrid.Trademark registration in QatarApply to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry; Qatar can be designated through Madrid since 3 August 2024.

Other countries and territories in the region

European Patent Office

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