The gTLD Application Process

Phase 1: Pre-Application Preparation

The pre-application phase is perhaps the most critical stage of the entire process. Success in this phase directly impacts the quality of your application and your likelihood of approval.

Strategic Planning (Months 1-3)

Begin by establishing clear objectives for your TLD. Consider questions such as:

• What type of TLD aligns with your goals—brand, generic, geographic, or community?
• What string (the actual TLD name) best represents your objectives?
• How will you structure and manage your namespace?
• What is your business model for generic or community TLDs?

String Selection and Research

Choosing your TLD string requires careful consideration of multiple factors:

• Confusion checks: Ensure your string doesn't create user confusion with existing TLDs or applied-for strings
• Trademark clearance: Conduct thorough trademark searches in relevant jurisdictions
• Technical validation: Verify your string meets ICANN's technical requirements
• Market research: For generic TLDs, validate market demand and competitive positioning

Building Your Team

A successful application requires expertise across multiple domains:

• Application consultant: Experienced guidance through the ICANN process
• Legal counsel: Specialized in internet governance and domain name law
• Technical experts: DNS infrastructure and registry operations specialists
• Financial advisors: For business planning and ongoing viability
• Policy experts: Understanding of ICANN's complex policy environment

Documentation Preparation

Begin gathering required documentation early:

• Corporate formation documents and good standing certificates
• Financial statements and funding verification
• Technical infrastructure documentation
• Community endorsement letters (for community TLDs)
• Government support letters (for geographic TLDs)

Phase 3: ICANN Evaluation Process

Once submitted, your application undergoes a comprehensive evaluation process designed to assess your capability to operate a registry responsibly and in the public interest.

Initial Evaluation

The initial evaluation phase typically takes 5 months and includes several parallel review processes:

String Review

ICANN evaluates whether your proposed string:

• Meets technical requirements (DNS stability, ASCII compatibility)
• Does not create confusion with existing TLDs or reserved strings
• Does not violate geographic name protections
• Complies with ICANN's string similarity policies

Applicant Review

This assessment evaluates your organization's:

• Technical capability to operate a registry
• Financial resources and sustainability
• Operational procedures and policies
• Background checks on key personnel and the organization

Registry Services Review

For applications proposing novel registry services, ICANN evaluates whether these services pose risks to DNS security or stability.

Objection Period

Following initial evaluation results, there is a period during which formal objections can be filed:

• String confusion objections: From existing TLD operators
• Legal rights objections: From trademark holders
• Limited public interest objections: From governments (GAC)
• Community objections: From affected communities

Extended Evaluation

If your application does not pass initial evaluation in any area, you may request Extended Evaluation. This provides additional time (approximately 4 months) to address evaluator concerns and provide supplementary information. The Extended Evaluation fee is $75,000.

Contention Resolution

If multiple applications are submitted for the same or confusingly similar strings, ICANN facilitates contention resolution through:

• Community priority evaluation (for community TLDs)
• Auction (if other resolution methods fail)
• Private settlement between applicants

Phase 5: Delegation and Launch

The final phase brings your TLD to life, making it accessible on the global internet.

Pre-Delegation Testing

Before delegation, you must complete ICANN's pre-delegation testing (PDT) to verify that your technical infrastructure operates correctly and meets all requirements. This includes:

• DNS resolution testing
• EPP (Extensible Provisioning Protocol) testing
• WHOIS service testing
• Data escrow verification
• DNSSEC implementation validation

Registry Agreement Execution and Fees

Upon successful PDT completion, you pay:

• Registry Fixed Fee: $6,250 per quarter
• Registry Variable Fee: Based on transaction volume
• Registry Transaction Fee: $0.25 per domain-year

Delegation

ICANN coordinates with the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) to delegate your TLD in the root zone of the DNS. This makes your TLD globally resolvable. The delegation process typically takes 2-4 weeks after PDT completion.

Launch Phases

Most TLDs launch through several phases:

Sunrise Period

A mandatory minimum 30-day period during which trademark holders in the Trademark Clearinghouse have priority access to register domains matching their marks.

Claims Period

Following Sunrise, a minimum 90-day period during which trademark claims notices must be provided to registrants attempting to register domains matching marks in the Clearinghouse.

General Availability

The TLD opens for general registration on a first-come, first-served basis (for open TLDs) or according to your registration policies.

Ongoing Operations

Once delegated, you enter ongoing operations, which include:

• Maintaining technical infrastructure
• Compliance with ICANN policies and reporting requirements
• Managing registrar relationships
• Enforcing registration policies
• Participating in ICANN policy development processes