WIPO - PCT Applicant's Guide SA - Saudi Arabia
Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP)

Applicable as from 22 August 2024
(published on 22 August 2024)

Summary of latest changes in this version
GENERAL INFO: Contact details
Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase: Reinstatement of rights
The procedure in the national Phase: Various

Consult the full list of the changes

Previous version(s): You can consult previous versions of the document. The only applicable version is the current version.
15 Sep 2023, 1 Nov 2023, 1 Jan 2024, 1 Mar 2024, 25 Apr 2024, 1 Jul 2024, Current Version
Advance notice: The Office has notified the IB of changes entering into force soon; you can already consult the changes that will be effective from 1 Dec 2024, and from 15 Dec 2024.

Useful information

The PCT Applicant’s Guide is updated almost every week with information received by the International Bureau.
In case of question, please contact the Office or the International Bureau: pct.guide@wipo.int.
List of abbreviations used in this document:
Office: Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP)
Law: Law of July 16, 2004 on Patents, Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits, Plant Varieties, and Industrial Designs
Regulations: Implementing Regulations of the Law of July 16, 2004
List of currencies used in this document:
SAR (Saudi Riyal), USD (US dollar)
Countries and Offices information:
The list of acronyms used for Offices is no longer shown as it has been integrated in the mouseover functionality for each ST.3 code shown in this document.
Refer to List of WIPO Standards, Recommendations and Guidelines formerly Annex K, List of country names and two-letter codes. It includes a list of short names and two-letter codes accepted for use in indicating States, other entities and intergovernmental organizations and their Offices in documents relating to international applications under the PCT. The list is as set out in WIPO Standard ST.3.
Also refer to PCT Contracting States formerly Annex A.
Office profile
For more technical information about the Office, refer to ePCT Office profile.
PCT Reservations, Declarations, Notifications and Incompatibilities
The Office does not have any reservations, declarations, notifications or incompatibilities.
Refer to the full list.
Office Closed dates
The Office is closed weekly on Friday and Saturday
Additional closed dates can be consulted on the Office Closed dates page

International Phase

Annex B - Information on Contracting States or Intergovernmental Organization

Contracting State:
Saudi Arabia
Two-letter code:
SA
Saudi Arabia - Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP)
Name of Office:
Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP)
Location:
As Sahafah
Olaya St. 6531
3059
Riyadh 13321
Saudi Arabia
Mailing address:
Same as above
Telephone:
(966-11) 280 59 76
(966-11) 280 59 84
(966-11) 280 63 22
E-mail:
pct@saip.gov.sa
Website:
Facsimile:
None
Does the Office accept the filing of documents by facsimile or the like means (PCT Rule 92.4)?
Yes, by e-mail
Which kinds of documents may be so transmitted?
All kinds of documents
Must the original of the document be furnished in all cases?
Yes, 
within 14 days from the date of the invitation
Does the Office send notifications via e-mail in respect of international applications?
Yes
Would the Office accept evidence of mailing a document, in case of loss or delay, where a delivery service other than the postal authorities is used (PCT Rule 82.1)?
Yes
provided that the delivery service is:
Aramex, 
DHL, 
Federal Express, 
TNT, 
UPS, 
Another registered delivery service
Is the Office prepared to allow applicants to make applications available to the WIPO Digital Access Service for Priority Documents (DAS) (PCT Rule 17.1(b-bis)?
No
Competent receiving Office(s) for international applications filed by nationals or residents of this State:
IB
International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) - International Bureau of WIPO
, 
SA
Saudi Arabia - Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP)
Does national legislation restrict the filing of international applications with foreign Offices?
Refer to the Office
Competent designated (or elected) Office(s) for this State:
Refer to corresponding National Phase.
SA
Saudi Arabia - Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP)
Types of protection available via the PCT:
Patents
Payment methods accepted by the Office:
The payment of fees should be effected in Saudi riyal. All payments must indicate the application number (national, if already known; international, if the national application number is not yet known), the name of the applicant and the type of fee being paid
Payments should be made by bank transfer to the following bank:
ALINMA BANK
Riyadh
Saudi Arabia
IBAN
SA8105000068224248888000
Availability under the national law for an international-type search (PCT Article 15):
None
Provisional protection after international publication:
None
Information of interest if this Contracting State is designated (or elected)
Time when the name and address of the inventor must be given:
May be in the request or may be furnished later. If the indications concerning the inventor are missing at the expiration of the time limit under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit of 90 days from the date of the invitation.
Are there special provisions concerning the deposit of microorganisms and other biological material?
No

Annex C - Receiving Office

Competent receiving Office for nationals and residents of:
Saudi Arabia
Language in which international applications may be filed:
Depending on the applicant’s choice of competent International Searching Authority, a translation into a corresponding language (refer to Annex D) may have to be furnished by the applicant (PCT Rule 12.3)
Arabic, 
English
Language accepted for language-dependent free text in the sequence listing:
Same language as the international application (Arabic or English)
Language in which the request may be filed:
Arabic, 
English
Number of copies required by the receiving Office if application filed on paper:
1
Does the receiving Office accept the filing of international applications in electronic form?
For the relevant notifications by the Office, refer to Official Notices (PCT Gazette) dated 22 January 2015, pages 13 et seq. and 4 August 2022, page 209.
Where the international application is filed in electronic form in accordance with and to the extent provided for in Part 7 and Annex F of the Administrative Instructions, the total amount of the international filing fee is reduced (refer to “Fees payable to the RO”).
Where the international application contains a sequence listing as a separate part of the description, this must be furnished in accordance with Annex C of the Administrative Instructions, that is, in compliance with WIPO Standard ST.26 XML format; no fees are due for sequence listings filed in this format.
Yes, the Office accepts electronic filing via ePCT-Filing
Does the receiving Office accept the submission of pre-conversion documents and, if yes, in which format (Section 706 of the PCT Administrative Instructions)?
Yes, any format
Does the receiving Office accept incorporation by reference (PCT Rule 20.6)?
Yes
Does the receiving Office accept the submission of color drawings on an informal basis and transmit them to the International Bureau?
No
Does the receiving Office accept requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 26bis.3)?
Yes, the Office applies both the “due care” and the “unintentional” criteria to such requests
Competent International Searching Authority:
CA
Canada - Canadian Intellectual Property Office
, 
CN
China - China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA)
, 
EG
Egypt - Egyptian Patent Office
, 
EP
European Patent Organisation - European Patent Office (EPO)
, 
JP
Japan - Japan Patent Office (JPO)
, 
KR
Republic of Korea - Korean Intellectual Property Office
, 
RU
Russian Federation - Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) (Russian Federation)
, 
SG
Singapore - Intellectual Property Office of Singapore
, 
US
United States of America - United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Competent International Preliminary Examining Authority:
EG
Egypt - Egyptian Patent Office
, 
KR
Republic of Korea - Korean Intellectual Property Office
, 
RU
Russian Federation - Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) (Russian Federation)

CA
Canada - Canadian Intellectual Property Office
, 
CN
China - China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA)
, 
EP
European Patent Organisation - European Patent Office (EPO)
, 
JP
Japan - Japan Patent Office (JPO)
, 
SG
Singapore - Intellectual Property Office of Singapore
, 
US
United States of America - United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

The Office is competent only if the international search is or has been carried out by that Office.
Fees payable to the RO:
Transmittal fee:
100 USD
International filing fee:
This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
1,457 USD
Fee per sheet in excess of 30:
16 USD
Reductions (under Schedule of Fees, item 4):
Electronic filing (the request in character coded format):
219 USD
Electronic filing (the request, description, claims and abstract in character coded format):
329 USD
Search fee:
Refer to
Annex D(CA)
Annex D(EG)
Annex D(EP)
Annex D(JP)
Annex D(KR)
Annex D(RU)
Annex D(SG)
Annex D(US)
Fee for priority document (PCT Rule 17.1(b)):
100 USD
Fee for requesting restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 26bis.3(d)):
534 USD
— applicable in case of filing by an individual
276 USD
Is an agent required by the receiving Office?
No, if the applicant resides in Saudi Arabia
Yes, if the applicant is a non-resident
Who can act as agent?
Any attorney or lawyer registered in Saudi Arabia
Waiver of power of attorney:
Waivers of powers of attorney do not apply (PCT Rule 90.4(e) and 90.5(d)) where the agent or common representative submits any notice of withdrawal during the international phase (PCT Rule 90bis.1 to 90bis.4, also refer to International Phase, paragraph 11.048).
Has the Office waived the requirement that a separate power of attorney be submitted?
No
Particular instances in which a separate power of attorney is required:
Not applicable
Has the Office waived the requirement that a copy of a general power of attorney be submitted?
No
Particular instances in which a copy of a general power of attorney is required:
Not applicable

National Phase

Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase

Time limits applicable for entry into the national phase:
Under PCT Article 22(1): 30 months from the priority date
Under PCT Article 39(1)(a): 30 months from the priority date
Does the Office permit reinstatement of rights (PCT Rule 49.6)?
Yes, the Office permits reinstatement under the “due care” and the “unintentional” criteria
Fee for reinstatement
The amount in parentheses is applicable in case of filing by individuals.
2,000 SAR
(1,000 SAR)
The applicant must submit a petition which includes justifications for non-compliance and payment of the fee.
Translation of international application required into (one of) the following language(s):
Must be furnished within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
Arabic
Required contents of the translation for entry into the national phase:
Must be furnished within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
Under PCT Article 22: Description, claims (if amended, both as originally filed and as amended, together with any statement under PCT Article 19), any text matter of drawings, abstract
Under PCT Article 39(1): Description, claims, any text matter of drawings, abstract (if any of those parts has been amended, both as originally filed and as amended by the annexes to the international preliminary examination report)
Is a copy of the international application required in particular circumstances?
A copy is required only if the Office has not received a copy of the international application from the International Bureau under PCT Article 20. This may be the case where the applicant expressly requests an earlier start of the national phase under PCT Article 23(2) or 40(2).
Does the Office accept color drawings under its national law?
Yes, the Office accepts color drawings under its national law. Drawings shall be clear and of high quality for duplication.
National fees:
Must be furnished within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
The amount in parentheses is applicable in case of filing by individuals.
Filing fee
800 SAR
(400) SAR
Exemptions, reductions or refunds of fees:
Reductions of the national fee are indicated under “National fee” above.
Special requirements of the Office (PCT Rule 51bis):
Name and address of the inventor if not indicated in the “Request” part of the international application
If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit of three months from the date of receipt of the invitation.
This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
Declaration as to the applicant’s entitlement to apply for and be granted a patent
If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit of three months from the date of receipt of the invitation.
This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
Declaration as to the applicant’s entitlement to claim priority of the earlier application
If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit of three months from the date of receipt of the invitation.
This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
Document evidencing a change of name of the applicant if the change occurred after the international filing date and has not been reflected in a notification from the International Bureau (Form PCT/IB/306)
If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit of three months from the date of receipt of the invitation.
Representation by an agent if the applicant is not resident in Saudi Arabia
If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit of three months from the date of receipt of the invitation.
Instrument appointing the agent (authorization or power of attorney)
If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit of three months from the date of receipt of the invitation.
Furnishing, where applicable, of a nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence listing in electronic form
Who can act as agent?
Any attorney or lawyer registered in Saudi Arabia
Does the Office accept the effect of restoration of the right of priority by the receiving Office (PCT Rule 49ter.1)?
Yes
Does the Office accept requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 49ter.2)?
Yes, the Office applies both the “unintentional” and the “due care” criteria to such requests

The procedure in the national Phase

SA.01 FORM FOR ENTERING THE NATIONAL PHASE
There is no special form for entry into the national phase. It is strongly recommended that the national phase application be filed through the Office’s electronic filing system at:
https://eservices.saip.gov.sa/
SA.02 LANGUAGE OF PROCEEDINGS
The language of proceedings is Arabic.
SA.03 TRANSLATION (CORRECTION)
Errors in the translation of the international application can be corrected with reference to the text of the international application as originally filed (refer to National Phase, paragraphs 6.002 and 6.003).
SA.04 TRANSLATION (CONTENTS)
Regulations Art. 12
Any scientific terms should be expressed in the original language of the international application together with the Arabic translation when used for the first time. Subsequently, the Arabic only should be included, except for the claims, where the term shall be indicated in both languages.
For abbreviations in foreign languages, the full name, in both Arabic and English, shall be indicated when used for the first time in the text. Subsequently, the abbreviation only shall be used.
The same Arabic term for a Latin word shall be used when the Latin term recurs in the text.
Symbols, units, names and basic physical constants approved by the International Union for Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP), the SUNAMCO Commission, published in the Union Document No. 25 shall be used.
Latin letters shall be used in accordance with the International Union for Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) System for writing structural figures and chemical formulae, symbols of chemical elements, compounds and names. If a chemical name appears in the title it shall be written in both Arabic and Latin.
References, research papers, articles and scientific books shall be written in their original language.
SA.05 FEES (MANNER OF PAYMENT)
The manner of payment of the fees indicated in the Summary and in this Chapter is outlined in Annex SA.I.
SA.06 ANNUAL FEES
Law Art. 18
Annual fees are payable at the beginning of each year starting from the year following the filing date. In case of failure to pay a fee within the required time limit, the payment may be made within an additional time limit of three months, in which case, however, the fee is doubled. If the fee is not paid within the additional time limit of three months, the application or the patent will cease to have effect and this will be published in the Gazette. The amounts of the annual fees are indicated in Annex SA.I.
SA.07 APPOINTMENT OF AN AGENT
If the applicant is not resident in Saudi Arabia, an agent shall be appointed by filing a power of attorney, signed by the applicant.
SA.08 EXAMINATION
Regulations Art. 35(2)
Substantive examination must be requested and fees must be paid within three months.
SA.09 AMENDMENT OF THE APPLICATION
Law Art. 9
The applicant may, at any time before the patent is granted, make amendments to his application, provided that the amendment does not go beyond the original disclosure. The amount of the fee for amendment is indicated in Annex SA.I.
SA.10 EXCUSE OF DELAYS IN MEETING TIME LIMITS
PCT Art. 24(2), PCT Art. 48(2), PCT Rule 82bis
Reference is made to paragraphs 6.022 to 6.027 of the National Phase.
SA.11 REVIEW UNDER ARTICLE 25 OF THE PCT
The applicable procedure is outlined in paragraphs 6.018 to 6.021 of the National Phase.
SA.12 REINSTATEMENT OF RIGHTS
PCT Rule 49.6
Reinstatement of rights may be requested where the applicant unintentionally or in spite of due care required by the circumstances having been taken, failed to perform the acts referred to in Article 22 within the applicable time limit. A request for reinstatement must be presented in writing within two months from the removal of the cause of the failure to observe the time limit or 12 months from the date of expiration of the applicable time limit, whichever time limit expires earlier. Within the said two months, the omitted action must be completed.

Annexes

Annex SA.I - Fees
The amount in parentheses is applicable in case of filing by individuals
Filing fee
800 SAR
(400 SAR)
Examination fee
Please refer to the Office
Fee for amendment
200 SAR
(100 SAR)
Grant and publication fee
1,000 SAR
(500 SAR)
Fee for reinstatement of rights
2,000 SAR
(1,000 SAR)
Fee for restoration of the right of priority
2,000 SAR
(1,000 SAR)
Annual fees:
— for the 1st year
500 SAR
(250 SAR)
— for the 2nd year
1,000 SAR
(500 SAR)
— for the 3rd year
1,500 SAR
(750 SAR)
— for the 4th year
2,000 SAR
(1,000 SAR)
— for the 5th year
2,500 SAR
(1,250 SAR)
— for the 6th year
3,000 SAR
(1,500 SAR)
— for the 7th year
3,500 SAR
(1,750 SAR)
— for the 8th year
4,000 SAR
(2,000 SAR)
— for the 9th year
4,500 SAR
(2,250 SAR)
— for the 10th year
5,000 SAR
(2,500 SAR)
— for the 11th year
5,500 SAR
(2,750 SAR)
— for the 12th year
6,000 SAR
(3,000 SAR)
— for the 13th year
6,500 SAR
(3,250 SAR)
— for the 14th year
7,000 SAR
(3,500 SAR)
— for the 15th year
7,500 SAR
(3,750 SAR)
— for the 16th year
8,000 SAR
(4,000 SAR)
— for the 17th year
8,500 SAR
(4,250 SAR)
— for the 18th year
9,000 SAR
(4,500 SAR)
— for the 19th year
9,500 SAR
(4,750 SAR)
— for the 20th year
10,000 SAR
(5,000 SAR)
How can payment of fees be effected?
The payment of fees should be effected in Saudi riyal. All payments must indicate the application number (national, if already known; international, if the national application number is not yet known), the name of the applicant and the type of fee being paid
Payments should be made by bank transfer to the following bank:
ALINMA BANK
Riyadh
Saudi Arabia
IBAN
SA8105000068224248888000
Forms
Please refer to the Office.
Current version applicable from 22 Aug 2024 , printed on 21 Nov 2024
2.0 #63 - 2024-11-04T12:26:35.870+01:00