Patent
Who needs a patent, how to apply within 30 days, what to bring, which date the deadlines count from and how to pay so the patent doesn't lapse.
Who is exempt, why there are only three attempts, how long the certificate is valid and why it pays to take the exam at home before you fly.
The exam tests three things: your command of Russian, your knowledge of Russian history and the basics of the law. You have to pass it before applying for a patent unless you are exempt.
Who doesn't need to take it
- A school certificate or diploma issued in the USSR before 1991.
- A Russian Federation school certificate or diploma from an accredited programme.
- Graduation from a Russian school.
A diploma from a foreign university does not exempt you for a patent.
How it works
A computer-based test of about 80 minutes.
The certificate
By law it is valid for 3 years. In practice it is often retaken every year — check with your testing centre what validity is printed on your certificate. If it has expired, you'll have to take the exam again when applying for a new patent.
Where it is cheaper
In Moscow the certificate costs about 3,800 ₽. In your home country — 800–1,200 ₽, a retake about 1,000 ₽. If you can, take it at home before you fly. It is the simplest saving on the whole route.
In practice
The number of attempts, the certificate validity and the prices are based on information from the project's migration lawyers.
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