Where the search division notes that a translation of the previous application is required, the invitation to provide it according to Rule 53(3) may be sent at the same time as either item (i) or item (ii) below:

In this case, the time limit for providing the translation is the same as that for filing the request for examination, namely six months from the date of mention of the publication of the European search report according to Rule 70(1).

In this case the time limit for providing the translation is the same as that for filing the confirmation of the request for examination according to Rule 70(2):

In practice the invitation according to Rule 53(3) will be sent in a separate communication to the applicant and, in some cases, might not be despatched on exactly the same date as the applicable communication indicated in (i) or (ii) above. However, this will not affect the date of expiry of the period for providing the translation, since the relevant event used in its calculation (the mention of the publication of the European search report or the notification of the communication under Rule 70(2)) is not related to the notification of the invitation according to Rule 53(3). An exception applies where the communication under Rule 53(3) is notified less than two months before expiry of the resulting period; in that case the time limit for filing the translation will be considered extended until two months after the said notification, without prejudice to its possible extension under Rule 132(2) (see E‑VIII, 1.6).