When does a patent application become publicly accessible?

A patent application typically becomes publicly accessible after it is published. MPEP 106 states:

Of course, after the application has published pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 122(b), the application will be available to the public and any restriction on the inventor to access his or her application previously granted will no longer be in effect.

This publication usually occurs 18 months after the earliest filing date of the application, as per 35 U.S.C. 122(b). At this point, any previous restrictions on access, including those placed on inventors, are lifted, and the application becomes part of the public record.

For more information on public access, visit: public access.