Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a Current Account at WIPO?

A Current Account at WIPO is a special financial account administered by WIPO. The account is managed in Swiss francs (CHF).

A Current Account at WIPO can be used to make payments relating to any WIPO service (patents, trademarks, industrial designs, conferences etc) billed in CHF.

For more information on Current Accounts and how to use them, please see our Terms and Conditions.

Why should I open a Current Account at WIPO?

A Current Account at WIPO can help you save money on bank transfer and credit card fees. Additionally Current Account transactions are faster and save time compared to regular bank transfers.

Current Accounts at WIPO are designed for customers who regularly carry out (or plan to carry out) financial transactions with WIPO, to simply the payment process. It works like a bank account; you authorize debits and replenish the account when necessary.

If you only have one transaction to settle, please see our other payment methods: https://www.wipo.int/finance/en/

Is a Current Account at WIPO free of charge?

The account is free of charge, however you must maintain a balance greater than 200 CHF.

Which information must I provide in the opening form?

All the fields must be filled in if possible. Some fields are compulsory:

• NAME/Address: is the holder of the Current Account. If you are employed by a firm, it will be your firm’s name and address, not your personal ones. Only indicate a personal name if you are self-employed
• Full name: please provide the first name and last name of the person that will be the contact for this account within your firm
• Email address: please provide a generic email address if available and/or the contact person’s email
• Proof of identity: please attach a copy of any official document attesting the existence of your firm and in case of an individual, a copy of an identity document.

What happens once I have submitted my opening form?

You will receive an automatic confirmation attesting we received your opening form.

Then you will receive a personal reply by email indicating if your form is complete and if you may proceed with the wiring of the initial deposit (a minimum of 2000 CHF)

When can I start using my Current Account?

As soon as your initial deposit is received, we will open your Current Account and provide you with your account number by email. We will also provide you with parameters to use your Current Account online (to access the Current Account Portal but also to authorize payments online)