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2026 Round
Frequently Asked Questions
Application Evaluation FAQs
What is Variant String Evaluation?

What is Variant String Evaluation?

The Variant String Evaluation is a conditional review used to determine whether an applied-for variant string is necessary.

Application Evaluation FAQs Individual Questions

Application Evaluation FAQs
What is Application Evaluation?
When does Application Evaluation take place?
What are the components of Application Evaluation?
Why is Application Evaluation important?
How will Application Evaluation be conducted for an applicant with multiple applications?
What are the clarifying questions in the Application Evaluation process?
What happens if the application does not pass certain components of the Application Evaluation?
Does the Application Evaluation cost additional fees beyond the gTLD Evaluation Fee?
What is the Registry Service Provider (RSP) Review?
Why is the RSP Review important?
What information must an applicant provide with respect to RSPs?
Does an applicant need to select an ICANN-approved RSP before submitting an application?
What happens if an applicant does not select an ICANN-approved RSP in time for the RSP Review?
Can an applicant change its RSP after submitting its application?
What is the Reserved Names Review?
Why is the Reserved Names Review important?
What is verified during the Reserved Names Review?
Who verifies the documentation during the Reserved Names Review?
What happens if the documentation is incomplete or insufficient?
What is the Geographic Names Review?
Who conducts the Geographic Names Review?
When does the Geographic Names Review occur?
What does the Geographic Names Review evaluate?
Why is documentation of support or non-objection from government(s) or public authority(ies) required for Geographic Name strings?
How is documentation verified during the Geographic Names Review?
What happens if the required documentation is missing or incomplete?
What happens when multiple applicants apply for the same Geographic Name?
How much does the Geographic Names Review cost?
What is the Registry Operator Code of Conduct and its exemption?
Who may request a Registry Operator Code of Conduct Exemption?
Why would a registry operator seek the Code of Conduct Exemption?
When is the Registry Operator Code of Conduct Exemption evaluated and who conducts the evaluation?
How much does the Registry Operator Code of Conduct Exemption Evaluation cost?
What criteria must be satisfied to obtain a Registry Operator Code of Conduct Exemption?
How does the Registry Operator Code of Conduct Exemption evaluation handle variant strings?
What documentation must an applicant provide for the Registry Operator Code of Conduct Exemption Evaluation?
What are the possible outcomes of the Registry Operator Code of Conduct Exemption Evaluation?
Is there an Extended Evaluation or challenge mechanism if the Registry Operator Code of Conduct exemption is denied?
Can an applicant put forward or withdraw a Registry Operator Code of Conduct Exemption request?
Does the public have input into the Registry Operator Code of Conduct Exemption Evaluation?
What is the .Brand TLD Eligibility Evaluation?
Who conducts the .Brand TLD Eligibility Evaluation?
When does the .Brand TLD Eligibility Evaluation occur?
What criteria must an application meet to pass the .Brand TLD Eligibility Evaluation?
How much does the .Brand TLD Eligibility Evaluation cost?
What happens during the .Brand TLD Eligibility Evaluation?
What are the possible outcomes of the .Brand TLD Eligibility Evaluation?
Can an applicant challenge the evaluation result if its application does not pass the .Brand TLD Eligibility Evaluation?
What is Variant String Evaluation?
Why is Variant String Evaluation important?
Who conducts the Variant String Evaluation?
When does the Variant String Evaluation occur?
What criteria must an application meet to pass the Variant String Evaluation?
What happens if an applied-for variant string does not pass the Variant String Evaluation?
What is a Name Collision High-Risk Mitigation Plan?
Why is the Name Collision High-Risk Mitigation Plan needed?
Who may submit a Name Collision High-Risk Mitigation Plan?
When and how must the Name Collision High-Risk Mitigation Plan be submitted?
What must be included in a Name Collision High-Risk Mitigation Plan?
How is the Name Collision High-Risk Mitigation Plan evaluated?
How much does the Name Collision High-Risk Mitigation Plan Evaluation cost?
Can the Name Collision High-Risk Mitigation Plan be revised?
Will the public be able to see the Name Collision High-Risk Mitigation Plan?
What happens if mitigation actions for name collision must occur before delegation of the applied-for string?
What happens if mitigation actions for name collision occur after delegation of the applied-for string?
What happens if the Name Collision High-Risk Mitigation Plan fails evaluation?
Can an applicant challenge the result of the Name Collision High-Risk Mitigation Plan Evaluation?
What are the possible outcomes of a challenge of the Name Collision High-Risk Mitigation Plan Evaluation?
How do variant strings affect Name Collision High-Risk Mitigation Plan Evaluation?
What is the Registry Commitments Evaluation?
What are Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs)?
Why would an applicant propose a Registry Voluntary Commitment (RVC)?
Who conducts the Registry Commitments Evaluation?
When does the Registry Commitments Evaluation take place?
How much does the Registry Commitments Evaluation cost?
What criteria are used to evaluate Registry Voluntary Commitments and Community Registration Policies?
What should applicants expect during the Registry Commitments Evaluation?
How does the Registry Commitments Evaluation handle variant strings?
How does the Registry Commitments Evaluation affect an application?
What does it mean when an application passes the Registry Commitments Evaluation?
Is there an Extended Evaluation or challenge mechanism if a proposed Registry Voluntary Commitment or Community Registration Policy is not approved?
Can approved Registry Voluntary Commitments be changed or removed later?
How are approved Registry Voluntary Commitments and Community Registration Policies enforced after delegation?

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