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How to Register Patent in the UAE?

Updated 15 December 2025

Patent protection in the UAE safeguards your invention by granting exclusive rights through the UAE patent office at the Ministry of Economy. Whether you’re an inventor wanting to register a patent or a company filing a patent application in the UAE, understanding the patent registration process is essential. A patent is valid for 20 years […]

Brenda7 min read

Patent protection in the UAE safeguards your invention by granting exclusive rights through the UAE patent office at the Ministry of Economy. Whether you’re an inventor wanting to register a patent or a company filing a patent application in the UAE, understanding the patent registration process is essential. A patent is valid for 20 years from the filing date and lets you prevent others from exploiting your innovative idea.

Your application goes through substantive examination to ensure it is new, involves an inventive step, and is industrially applicable before patent rights are granted. You must also manage examination fees, annual maintenance fees, and meet novelty requirements.

RIZ&MONA Consultancy helps inventors and businesses with UAE patent registration and intellectual property services, making complex patent law and procedures easier to navigate.

Legal Framework For Patent Registration in the UAE

Patent law in the United Arab Emirates is governed by Federal Law No. 11 of 2021 on the Regulation and Protection of Industrial Property. This replaced Federal Law No. 17 of 2002, strengthening industrial property rights including patents, utility certificates, and industrial designs.​

Regulatory Authority

The UAE Ministry of Economy oversees patent registration in the UAE through the International Centre for Patent Registration (ICPR). The Ministry partnered with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) in 2014 to conduct substantive examination and ensure requirements are met.

International Treaties

The UAE is a member of key intellectual property frameworks:​

• Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) – member since 1999, enabling international patent filing​
• Paris Convention – member since 1996, allowing 12-month priority claims​
• WIPO Convention – member since 1974

Recent Updates (2024-2025)

• New fee structure (January 2024) with SME discounts​
• USPTO partnership (July 2025) for accelerated patent grant​
• Green IP Fast-Track reducing examination to 3-6 months for eco-innovations

Filing Routes and Options

Choosing the right route ensures efficient protection of your invention in the United Arab Emirates.

1

Direct National Filing

  • File directly with the UAE Ministry of Economy.

  • Timeline: Standard process (~48–52 months).

  • Cost: AED 1,000–2,000 filing fee plus examination and maintenance fees.

  • Best for UAE-only protection.

2

PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty)

  • File a single international patent application with WIPO.

  • Enter UAE national phase within 30 months from priority date.​

  • Delays national costs and provides an international search report.

  • Translation into Arabic/English required at entry.

3

Paris Convention Priority

  • Claim priority from an earlier application in any member country within 12 months.​

  • Enables an earlier filing date in the UAE.

  • Separate national filings still required.

4

GCC Patent System

GCC Patent Office currently not accepting new applications for the UAE.​

  • Monitor for future reopening; otherwise use national route.

RouteEntry DeadlineMain Benefit

Direct National Filing

Immediate

Simplest, lowest initial cost

PCT

30 months from priority date

International option, delayed costs

Paris Convention Priority

12 months from first filing

Early filing date, flexibility

GCC Patent System

N/A (suspended)

Regional protection (pending)

Selecting the optimal route depends on your budget, markets, and commercialization strategy.

Steps to Register a Patent in the UAE

The process of patent registration in the UAE involves several stages. Below is how the patent filing process works:

Step 1

Pre-Filing Preparation

Before filing a patent application, conduct a thorough prior art search to assess if your invention is truly novel. This helps determine whether your patent application meets the basic requirements.

Step 2

Document Preparation

A patent application can be submitted online through the Ministry of Economy portal. Required documents include:​

• Patent specification (Arabic and English)​
• Detailed description of the invention
• Claims defining protection scope
• Abstract (maximum 500 words)​
• Drawings or diagrams (if applicable)

Within 90 days of the date of filing, you must submit:​

• Power of Attorney (notarized)​
• Deed of Assignment (if applicant is not the inventor)​
• Extract from the commercial register (for companies)​
• Priority documents (if claiming priority)

Step 3

Filing and Fees Payment

At the time of filing, pay filing fees:

• Individuals: AED 1,000
• Companies: AED 2,000
• SMEs and Academic Institutions: AED 1,000 (50% discount)​

The date of filing establishes your priority and determines when your patent is valid for 20 years.​

Step 4

Formal Examination

The UAE patent office conducts a formal examination to verify administrative compliance. Timeline: Approximately 7 months from filing.

Step 5

Examination Fee Payment

After formal examination, you receive a notification to pay examination fees. Fees must be paid within 90 days of notification:​

• First examination: AED 7,000​

The date of paying examination fees is critical – you have examination fees until the date specified to avoid abandonment.

Step 6

Substantive Examination

The UAE patent office examines your application for novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. This examination occurs with KIPO assistance.​

Timeline: Approximately 42 months from the date of paying examination fees until the date of receiving the examination results. You then have 90 days to submit responses to any office actions.

Step 7

Publication

If examination is successful and the patent office examines your application favorably, it’s published in the Official Gazette. Third parties have 90 days to file oppositions.

Step 8

Patent Grant

If no opposition is filed or objections are resolved, the granted patent certificate is issued. Your patent is granted and registered in the UAE.

Step 9

Complete Timeline

• Filing to formal examination: 7 months
• Notification to examination fee payment: 90 days deadline
• Examination fee payment to receiving the examination results: 42 months
• Publication to grant: 3 months
• Total: Approximately 48-52 months from filing to grant​

Expedited options reduce this to 3-6 months for Green IP applications or 6-12 months through the USPTO partnership program

Get a Free Consultation

Need Help With Patent Registration in the UAE?

What Can Be Patented in the UAE?

For a patent to be granted in the UAE, your invention must meet three core requirements:​

Three Patentability Criteria

1. Novelty
The invention must be new and not disclosed anywhere in the world before the filing date. The UAE offers a 12-month grace period, allowing you to disclose your invention and still file afterward.​

2. Inventive Step
The invention must not be obvious to a person skilled in the relevant field. Means the invention involves non-obvious innovation beyond existing technology.​

3. Industrial Applicability
The invention must be industrially applicable – capable of being manufactured or used in any industrial field.

Non-Patentable Subject Matter

Certain innovations cannot receive patent protection:​

  • Scientific theories and mathematical methods
  • Computer programs and business methods
  • Plant or animal species (except microbiological processes)​
  • Medical treatment and diagnostic methods
  • Inventions against public order or morals​

A patent application meets these requirements only when all three criteria are satisfied and exclusions avoided.

Costs and Fees of the UAE Patent Registration

Understanding official fees associated with filing a patent in the UAE helps you budget effectively.

Patent Fee Structure (2024)

Fee TypeAmount (AED)When Due
Filing Fees1,000 (individuals) / 2,000 (companies)At time of filing
Examination Fees7,000 (first exam)Within 90 days of notification
Annual Maintenance Fees30,000-50,000 totalYearly (starting Year 2)
Filing Fees
Amount (AED)1,000 (individuals) / 2,000 (companies)
When DueAt time of filing
Examination Fees
Amount (AED)7,000 (first exam)
When DueWithin 90 days of notification
Annual Maintenance Fees
Amount (AED)30,000-50,000 total
When DueYearly (starting Year 2)

Payment Rules

Fees must be paid on time:​

Examination fees

The date of paying examination fees triggers the 42-month examination period​

Annual maintenance fees

Due January-March each year​

Late payment grace period

6 months (with surcharges)​

If fees are not paid within grace period, your patent may lapse permanently.​

Fee Reductions

  • Students under 21: Zero cost​
  • SMEs/Academic institutions: 50% discount​

Total 20-year investment: AED 60,000-110,000 (including professional services)

Frequently Asked Questions

No, foreign applicants must appoint a registered UAE patent agent or patent attorney to file and represent them before the Ministry of Economy.

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Published 16 July 2020 · Updated 15 December 2025