Patent Filing in South Korea
South Korea is a leading market for semiconductors, displays, batteries and telecoms. KIPO examination is fast and of high quality, and its results are widely used across PPH networks.
When is your national phase deadline in South Korea?
Enter the earliest priority date of your PCT application (or the international filing date if there is no priority).
Patent filing in South Korea: key facts
The Office does not permit reinstatement of rights (PCT Rule 49.6).
Filing fee, fee for request for examination, annual fees from the 1st to the 3rd year and fee for request for scope confirmation trial are reduced by 70% where…
Request based. The request must be filed within 3 years of the international filing date.
Published by KIPO after entry.
20 years from the international filing date.
Typically 1 to 2 years after the examination request. Faster through prioritised examination or the PPH.
Years 1–3 paid at registration, then yearly.
Utility models available (10-year term).
Official fees for patent filing in South Korea
Filing in several countries? Compare fees with other countries →
Standard official fees (general)
From the WIPO PCT Applicant's Guide, updated July 24, 2026. Amounts in KRW. Your exact fees depend on your application: use the calculator above.
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Patents - Filing fee (when a translation of the application has been furnished), in electronic form | KRW 46,000 | Based on total number of sheets of description, drawings (if any) and abstract. |
| Patents - Filing fee (when a translation of the application has been furnished), on paper | KRW 66,000 | Based on total number of sheets of description, drawings (if any) and abstract. |
| Patents - Filing fee, per sheet in excess of 20 | KRW 1,000 | On paper; per sheet. |
| Patents - Fee for request for examination | KRW 166,000 | Plus 51,000 for each claim. Reductions apply (see reductions). |
| Patents - Fee for request for examination, for each claim | KRW 51,000 | |
| Patents - Annual fees from the 1st to the 3rd year, per year | KRW 13,000 | Plus 12,000 for each claim. Reductions apply (see reductions). |
| Patents - Annual fees from the 1st to the 3rd year, for each claim | KRW 12,000 | |
| Utility models - Filing fee (when a translation of the application has been furnished), in electronic form | KRW 20,000 | Based on total number of sheets of description, drawings (if any) and abstract. |
| Utility models - Filing fee (when a translation of the application has been furnished), on paper | KRW 30,000 | Based on total number of sheets of description, drawings (if any) and abstract. |
| Utility models - Filing fee, per sheet in excess of 20 | KRW 1,000 | On paper; per sheet. |
| Utility models - Fee for request for examination | KRW 71,000 | Plus 19,000 for each claim. Reductions apply (see reductions). |
| Utility models - Fee for request for examination, for each claim | KRW 19,000 | |
| Utility models - Annual fees from the 1st to the 3rd year, per year | KRW 12,000 | Plus 4,000 for each claim. Reductions apply (see reductions). |
| Utility models - Annual fees from the 1st to the 3rd year, for each claim | KRW 4,000 |
Fee reductions: Filing fee, fee for request for examination, annual fees from the 1st to the 3rd year and fee for request for scope confirmation trial are reduced by 70% where the applicant is a natural person and is also the inventor; however, if the number of applications per year by the applicant exceeds 20, the application fee is reduced by 30% only. The fee for request for examination is reduced by 70% where the international search report and/or the international preliminary examination report has been established by MOIP.
National phase entry requirements
Time limit
Under PCT Article 22(3): 31 months from the priority date. Under PCT Article 39(1)(b): 31 months from the priority date.
Translation
Under PCT Article 22: request, description, claims (if amended, as originally filed or as amended, together with any statement under PCT Article 19, at applicant's option), any text matter of drawings, and abstract. Under PCT Article 39(1): request, description, claims, any text matter of drawings, and abstract (if amended, both as originally filed and as amended by the annexes to the IPER). The request does not need to be translated when Form No. 57 is used. Must be furnished within the time limit under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
Late entry and reinstatement
The Office does not permit reinstatement of rights (PCT Rule 49.6). It does not accept the effect of restoration of the right of priority by the receiving Office (PCT Rule 49ter.1) or requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 49ter.2). The Office does not excuse failure to comply with any time limits during the national phase.
Agent and power of attorney
Required if the applicant is a non-resident of the Republic of Korea; not required for residents. Any registered patent attorney or legal representative may act. An agent is appointed by filing a power of attorney (Korean translation required if in another language), within two months from the expiration of the time limit under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
Special requirements of the office
- Name and address of the inventor, if not furnished in the request part of the international application. The Office will invite compliance within a time limit of not less than two months. May be satisfied by a declaration made under PCT Rule 4.17.
- Appointment of an agent if the applicant is not resident in the Republic of Korea, within two months from the expiration of the time limit under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
- Furnishing, where applicable, of a nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence listing in electronic form.
Other information
- Form No. 57 is the recommended transmittal form for entering the national phase. Form No. 13 is preferably used to furnish a Korean translation of amendments made under PCT Article 19 or 34.
- A revised translation may be furnished before the time limit under PCT Article 22 or 39(1) expires, unless a request for examination has already been filed.
- Examination must be requested within three years from the international filing date, in Korean, on Form No. 22.
- Annual fees for the 1st to the 3rd year must all be paid at one time within three months after receipt of the decision to grant. Later annual fees: late payment surcharge of 18% within six months. Annual fees for the 4th year onwards are listed in Annex KR.I.
- Review under PCT Article 25: request filed with Form No. 58 within two months from the date of notification.
- Conversion between patent and utility model applications is possible after meeting national phase entry requirements, subject to a conversion fee.
- Color drawings are accepted under national law.
- Utility models: requirements are basically the same as for patents, except fees; drawings must be furnished within the PCT Article 22 or 39(1) time limit or within a time limit fixed in an invitation.
- Since 20 May 2019, MOIP retrieves a copy of the international application directly from the International Bureau where applicants wish to enter early.
Source: WIPO PCT Applicant's Guide, national chapter, updated July 24, 2026.
What you need to file in South Korea
| Document | When |
|---|---|
| Entry form | At entry |
| Korean translation | At entry |
| Power of attorney | Can be filed later |
| Assignment, if the applicant changed | If applicable |
A simple signed general power of attorney; no notarisation.
To record a change of applicant. A simple signed copy.
Decision to grant, then registration fees for the first three years.
Filing requirements in detail
| Extension of the filing deadline | No |
|---|---|
| Late translation allowed | Yes |
| Article 19 amendments | Possible |
| Chapter II / Article 34 amendments | Possible |
| Power of attorney | Yes |
From national phase entry to grant
- 1Month 31National phase entry
Korean translation and fees filed.
- 2Entry + 2–3 monthsFormalities and publication
Application published.
- 3Within 3 years of filingExamination request
Request and fee filed.
- 4About 10–14 monthsFirst office action
Preliminary rejection issued.
- 52 months (+ extension)Response
Amendments and arguments filed.
- 6On allowanceGrant
Registration fees for years 1–3 paid.
- 7Yearly from year 4Annuities
Paid to keep the patent in force.
Patent filing in South Korea: questions
What is the deadline for PCT national phase entry in South Korea?
31 months from the earliest priority date.
Can I enter the national phase in South Korea after the deadline?
The Office does not permit reinstatement of rights (PCT Rule 49.6). It does not accept the effect of restoration of the right of priority by the receiving Office (PCT Rule 49ter.1) or requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 49ter.2). The Office does not excuse failure to comply with any time limits during the national phase.
In which language must the application be filed in South Korea?
Korean. Under PCT Article 22: request, description, claims (if amended, as originally filed or as amended, together with any statement under PCT Article 19, at applicant's option), any text matter of drawings, and abstract.
Do I need a local patent attorney in South Korea?
The PCT applicant or its successor in title. Foreign applicants must appoint a Korean patent attorney.
Is a power of attorney needed, and must it be legalized?
A simple signed general power of attorney; no notarisation.
Are there official fee reductions in South Korea?
Filing fee, fee for request for examination, annual fees from the 1st to the 3rd year and fee for request for scope confirmation trial are reduced by 70% where the applicant is a natural person and is also the inventor; however, if the number of applications per year by the applicant exceeds 20, the application fee is reduced by 30% only.
How does examination work in South Korea?
Request based. The request must be filed within 3 years of the international filing date.
How long does it take to get a patent in South Korea?
Typically 1 to 2 years after the examination request. Faster through prioritised examination or the PPH.
Is utility model protection available in South Korea?
Utility models available (10-year term).
How much does patent filing in South Korea cost?
The cost is the official fees of the patent office plus professional fees. The standard official fees from WIPO are listed on this page; the calculator works out the exact official fees for your application (pages, claims, applicant type) after a quick email check, and our team sends a full quote on request.
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