Patent Filing in Malawi
File your PCT national phase application in Malawi with the Ministry of Justice, Department of the Registrar General (Malawi) through AnalystIP, within 30 months from the priority date. Every requirement below is taken from the WIPO PCT Applicant's Guide and kept up to date by our team.
When is your national phase deadline in Malawi?
Enter the earliest priority date of your PCT application (or the international filing date if there is no priority).
Patent filing in Malawi: key facts
Reinstatement of rights permitted (Rule 49.6); request must state reasons and be supported by an affidavit
None
20 years from the international filing date
Official fees for patent filing in Malawi
Filing in several countries? Compare fees with other countries →
Standard official fees (general)
From the WIPO PCT Applicant's Guide, updated November 13, 2025. Amounts in MWK. Your exact fees depend on your application: use the calculator above.
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fee for lodging complete specification (Form No. 6) | MWK 500 | Only fee listed in the national phase summary |
| Fee for publication of advertisement | MWK 150 | |
| Request for sealing of a patent (Form No. 15) | MWK 250 | |
| Renewal fee (Form No. 19), 4th to 6th year, per year | MWK 165 | One-half payable on patents endorsed 'Licences of Right' |
| Renewal fee (Form No. 19), 7th to 9th year, per year | MWK 180 | One-half payable on patents endorsed 'Licences of Right' |
| Renewal fee (Form No. 19), 10th year, per year | MWK 200 | One-half payable on patents endorsed 'Licences of Right' |
| Renewal fee (Form No. 19), 11th year, per year | MWK 200 | One-half payable on patents endorsed 'Licences of Right' |
| Renewal fee (Form No. 19), 12th year, per year | MWK 250 | One-half payable on patents endorsed 'Licences of Right' |
| Renewal fee (Form No. 19), 13th year, per year | MWK 250 | One-half payable on patents endorsed 'Licences of Right' |
| Renewal fee (Form No. 19), 14th year, per year | MWK 300 | One-half payable on patents endorsed 'Licences of Right' |
| Renewal fee (Form No. 19), 15th year, per year | MWK 350 | One-half payable on patents endorsed 'Licences of Right' |
| Renewal fee (Form No. 19), 16th year, per year | MWK 400 | One-half payable on patents endorsed 'Licences of Right' |
| Extension of time for payment of renewal fee (Form No. 20), up to one month | MWK 150 | |
| Extension of time for payment of renewal fee (Form No. 20), up to two months | MWK 200 | |
| Extension of time for payment of renewal fee (Form No. 20), up to six months | MWK 250 | |
| Restoration of lapsed patent (Form No. 22), within one year of lapsing | MWK 500 | |
| Restoration of lapsed patent (Form No. 22), after one year of lapsing | MWK 550 | |
| Amendment before acceptance (Form No. 30) | MWK 100 | |
| Amendment after acceptance (Form No. 31), up to sealing (by applicant) | MWK 150 | |
| Amendment after acceptance (Form No. 31), after sealing (by patentee) | MWK 180 | |
| Correction of clerical error (Form No. 42) | MWK 50 | |
| Notice of appeal to Patents Tribunal (Form P.T. No. 1) | MWK 50 |
Fee reductions: None
National phase entry requirements
Time limit
30 months from the priority date (Article 22(1) and Article 39(1)(a); same for Chapter I and II)
Also available through ARIPO (31 months).
Translation
Under Article 22: description, claims (if amended, both as originally filed and as amended, plus any Article 19 statement), text matter of drawings, abstract. Under Article 39(1): description, claims, text matter of drawings, abstract; if amended, both as originally filed and as amended by the annexes to the IPER. Due within the Article 22 or 39(1) time limit.
Late entry and reinstatement
Reinstatement of rights permitted (Rule 49.6); request must state reasons and be supported by an affidavit
Agent and power of attorney
National phase summary states the agent must be a person registered as a patent attorney or attorney at law with the Ministry of Justice of Malawi; MW.04 states an agent is not required but an address for service in Malawi is. No written authorization required unless requested.
Special requirements of the office
- Name and address of the inventor, if not given in the request (may be satisfied by a Rule 4.17 declaration)
- Declaration concerning the inventor, if the applicant is not the inventor (may be satisfied by a Rule 4.17 declaration)
- Appointment of an agent (may be satisfied by a Rule 4.17 declaration, as listed)
- Verified English translation of the priority document, if the validity of the priority claim is relevant to patentability
Other information
- ARIPO protection also available (AP)
- Office accepts restoration of priority by receiving Office (Rule 49ter.1) and requests for restoration (Rule 49ter.2), subject to Office criteria and fees
- Use of Patents Form No. 6 for national phase entry is optional
- Sealing request within 22 months of international filing date, or 32 months under Article 39(1) (Form No. 15)
- Renewal fees start after the third year from the international filing date
- Fees payable in Malawian kwacha in cash or by cheque
- Copy of the international application not required; colour drawings: refer to the Office
Source: WIPO PCT Applicant's Guide, national chapter, updated November 13, 2025.
Patent filing in Malawi: questions
What is the deadline for PCT national phase entry in Malawi?
30 months from the earliest priority date.
Can I enter the national phase in Malawi after the deadline?
Reinstatement of rights permitted (Rule 49.6); request must state reasons and be supported by an affidavit
In which language must the application be filed in Malawi?
English. Under Article 22: description, claims (if amended, both as originally filed and as amended, plus any Article 19 statement), text matter of drawings, abstract. Under Article 39(1): description, claims, text matter of drawings, abstract; if amended, both as originally filed and as amended by the annexes to the IPER.
Do I need a local patent attorney in Malawi?
National phase summary states the agent must be a person registered as a patent attorney or attorney at law with the Ministry of Justice of Malawi; MW.04 states an agent is not required but an address for service in Malawi is. No written authorization required unless requested.
Are there official fee reductions in Malawi?
None
How much does patent filing in Malawi 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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