Chinese patents are divided into three types: invention, utility model, and design.
Inventions take more than 2 years, utility models 6-8 months, and designs 5-6 months to be granted.
To apply for a patent, you can submit it directly to the patent office, or you can appoint a patent agency to do it for you:
1) Submit the patent application documents, patent request (including the name of the invention, the applicant, the inventor, and his/her related information, etc.), and the patent application fee (i.e., the official fee paid to the patent office) to the patent office. This results in a filing date and an application number, which serve as a unique number for future examination by the Patent Office. The official notice of acceptance is issued within two weeks of the filing date.
2) Examination by the Patent Office, which requires the applicant to respond within a specified period of time if a Notice of Examination Opinion is issued. After the examination is finalized, the Patent Office issues a Notice of Authorization, indicating that it agrees to authorize the application.
3) After the applicant is registered for authorization, the patent authorization notice takes effect, and the patent certificate is obtained.