Qatar – Patent annuity payments (Update)

We reported in July 2024 that the Qatari Patent Office had changed their policy on the requirement to pay annuities in respect of patent applications, to the effect that only the 2nd and 3rd annuities were being collected for pending applications and that the 4th and subsequent annuities could not be paid until the issuance of the grant decision.

On 15 September 2025, the Patent Office issued an update to this policy, such that the payment of all annuities has been reinstated for pending applications.  As a result, applicants are required to ensure that all outstanding annuity fees are paid on each anniversary of the effective filing date of their patent applications (which, for PCT national phase applications, is deemed to be the international filing date), from the 2nd annuity onwards, regardless of whether a grant decision has been issued. 

Applicants should promptly pay all outstanding fees to avoid any potential issues.  Whilst the Qatar Patent Office has not specified a deadline for settling any patent annuities that became due during the interim period when payments were not accepted, we would recommend that such payments be regularised as soon as possible so as to safeguard applicants’ rights.

We would be pleased to assist you with your patent annuities in Qatar.  For further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.