What is a gTLD?
A generic top-level domain, or gTLD, is an Internet extension—the characters that come after the dot in a URL, such as icann.org. While individuals and organizations can register a domain name, the process of applying for a gTLD is much more complex. In fact, when you apply for a top-level domain, you are applying to operate an Internet registry business that supports the Domain Name System (DNS).
Who can apply for a new gTLD?
Any established entity located anywhere in the world can apply to form and operate a new gTLD registry.
When will I be able to apply?
The application submission period for new gTLDs is expected to open in Q2 2026. A crucial driver of this timeline is the Policy Implementation work, which will culminate in completion of a new Applicant Guidebook (AGB). The guidebook serves as a critical resource for the program and is estimated to conclude in May 2025. Once that work has been completed, ICANN estimates it will take approximately one year to operationalize the application evaluation process and open the application submission period.
What are some of the opportunities associated with the program?
The New gTLD Program: Next Round will give businesses, communities, and others the opportunity to apply for new top-level domains tailored to their community, culture, language, business, and customers. A TLD can be a branding opportunity for a business, but the commercial opportunities are endless, allowing businesses in countries, entire sectors, or niche markets to develop a unique label on the Internet. The next round of new gTLDs will also offer opportunities to create a more multilingual and inclusive Internet for the billions of people who speak and write in different languages and scripts and are yet to come online.
Will I be able to apply for a new gTLD in any script?
ICANN requires the definition of rules to evaluate applied-for gTLD strings. The rules are defined by the community that uses the script by forming a panel to develop proposals. Many script communities have already organized and developed these rules which have been integrated into Root Zone Label Generation Rules (RZ-LGR).
ICANN will accept applications for new gTLDs in the 26 scripts that are currently supported by RZ-LGR: Arabic, Armenian, Bangla, Chinese (Han), Cyrillic, Devanagari, Ethiopic, Georgian, Greek, Gujarati, Gurmukhi, Hebrew, Japanese (Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji [Han]), Kannada, Khmer, Korean (Hangul and Hanja [Han]), Lao, Latin, Malayalam, Myanmar, Oriya, Sinhala, Tamil, Telugu, and Thai.
No new gTLD applications will be accepted for any scripts that are not integrated into the RZ-LGR.
If your organization intends to apply for a new gTLD in a script that is not yet supported but has common and widespread use, you should work with the community using the script to formulate a panel and develop a proposal for the RZ-LGR. The proposal will then be considered and integrated into the RZ-LGR using the RZ-LGR Procedure.
How much will it cost to apply for a new gTLD?
The evaluation fee will be set on a cost recovery basis to ensure that the New gTLD Program: Next Round is fully funded and does not require funds from ICANN's operating budget. The evaluation fee is expected to be USD 227,000. The final fees will be provided in the New gTLD Program: Next Round Applicant Guidebook. Read the fee FAQs and blog for more information.
What is a registry? What does a gTLD registry operator do?
A registry is a database of all the domains registered under a specific TLD. Registry operators (ROs) maintain the master list or registry of all those domains. ROs have contracts with registrars that enable them to sell a gTLD. ROs also add, delete, or modify domain names and make other changes as requested by registrars.
What do I need to know about being a registry operator?
There are many aspects – technical, financial, regulatory – to running a registry. Reviewing the Applicant Guidebook from the 2012 application round is a good starting point. ICANN is currently updating the Applicant Guidebook and while certain details will change, it provides a comprehensive and current overview of what you'll need to know to apply for a new gTLD. You are invited to follow the work of the team that's developing the new Applicant Guidebook here.
For more information on the Applicant Support Program, please go here
For more information on the Registry Service Provider Evaluation Program, please go here
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