4. New internet domain name extensions
What are new gTLDs?
A gTLD is a top-level Internet domain managed by ICANN. A first round of new Internet domain name extensions was created and these new gTLDs went live on 23 October 2013. A list is available on the ICANN website:
List of gTLDs delegated by ICANN in the first round
General information about the new gTLDs of 2013, as well as detailed information about the conditions imposed by ICANN on new registries, can be found on the ICANN website.
ICANN: new gTLDs 2013
A second round of new gTLDs is currently underway. The submission period is scheduled to run from April 30th 2026 to August 12th 2026, and the new domains are expected to be published by the end of 2026. This new round aims to allow the introduction of additional new extensions, further expanding the possibilities for institutional and community stakeholders wishing to operate their own top-level domain.
Further information can be found on our dedicated page or on the ICANN website.
New internet domain name extensions
The New gTLD Program | New gTLD Program
Who is responsible for creating new gTLDs? What is OFCOM's role?
The creation of new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) is the responsibility of ICANN. Applications must be submitted to this California-based company during the specified periods. Switzerland and its administration are not directly involved in the application process. However, they may oppose an application or even submit a competing application when the public interest of the country is at stake. This is the origin of the ‘.swiss’ TLD, which is now operated by OFCOM. Once any objections have been dealt with, it is ultimately ICANN that decides whether the gTLD is awarded to the applicant.
OFCOM is responsible for informing the relevant parties about developments relating to domain names. This is done through various channels, including a dedicated page on the OFCOM website.
New internet domain name extensions
The New gTLD Program | New gTLD Program
As a Swiss private company, is it a good idea to apply for a gTLD domain from ICANN?
Every company should analyse the opportunities, risks and costs (explained in the next question) of the new gTLDs for its business, its own reputation and that of its products or services.
In particular, it is important to consider the potential creation of thematic or generic designations (e.g. .bank, .finance, .watches, .shop, etc.) and the possible use by a third party of designations that are identical or similar to a company's product or brand name.
The costs of implementing and operating registry services must also be considered, as well as the skills and resources required to do so.
What costs must the candidate registry bear?
The creation of a new domain involves the following costs:
- the costs of preparing the application file, which may require external advice
- the evaluation fee payable to ICANN when submitting the application (estimated at US$ 227,000)
- project implementation costs
- annual fees collected by ICANN from the registry service provider
- recurring costs for operating registry services. Companies providing registry services are able to provide precise information on this subject.
Module 1 The Applicant Journey – 1.2 Fees
What are the general obligations of a registry?
The registry must implement registry services in accordance with the conditions imposed by ICANN. Module 2 of the Applicant Guidebook and its appendix provide detailed information on the obligations of the registry.
Module 2 General Information – 10 Fundamental Obligations of Registry Operators in relation to Registrars
Who can apply for a new gTLD?
Only legal entities such as companies, organisations and institutions, as well as governmental, non-governmental and intergovernmental entities, may apply for a new gTLD. Applications from individuals or sole traders will not be considered. In addition, applications from entities that have not yet been established or that involve the future establishment of a legal entity (such as a joint venture in the process of being formed) will not be accepted.
Module 1 The Applicant Journey – 1.1 Eligibility
When can I apply for a domain?
The application period is expected to begin no later than April 30th 2026 at 23:59 UTC and remain open for 105 days, ending on August 12th 2026 at 23:59 UTC. To be eligible, all applications must be submitted before the end of the application period, as the system does not allow late submissions. Applicants are encouraged to submit their completed applications as soon as possible after the application period opens. Waiting until the end of the period to begin the process will not allow sufficient time to complete all the necessary steps and submit a complete application within the deadline.
Module 1 The Applicant Journey – 2.1.2 Application Submission Period
Is it possible to submit multiple applications?
In principle, yes. However, each application will be subject to a separate evaluation process by ICANN. In addition, the evaluation fee must be paid for each application.
Submitting multiple applications may also have an impact on the financial and operational evaluation criteria.
Module 6 Applicant Evaluation Procedures – 2.2 Financial and Operational Evaluation Criteria & 2.5 Financial and Operational Evaluation Instructions
This should not be confused with the option to submit replacement strings at the same time as the desired string (the desired TLD name). This is encouraged in order to simplify the resolution of conflicting applications.
Module 5 Contention Set Resolution – 1 Replacement Strings
What types of names may be required for a new gTLD?
ICANN evaluates domain names according to the following five criteria
- String similarity
The aim is to avoid confusion among users between visually similar strings - Name collision
Certain strings are already used extensively in a role other than that of TLD. This is the case for names such as ‘mail’, ‘home’, etc. - Protective measures
This aims to determine whether a requested string should be subject to specific protective measures relating to consumer protection, sensitive strings and regulated markets. - Geographical names
To acquire a geographical name, it must be accompanied by supporting documentation or a letter of no objection from the relevant governments or public authorities. - Singular/plural forms
It is generally not possible to acquire a string that is the singular or plural form of a delegated gTLD.
Module 1 The Applicant Journey – 2.4 String Evaluation
What characters can be included in the names/designations of new gTLDs?
Strings must begin with a letter, end with a letter or number, and contain only letters, numbers and hyphens. ASCII standard letters are generally permitted.
Furthermore, internationalised domain names (IDNs) allow domain names to be represented using characters other than those in the traditional ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) standard. Label generation rules are now available for the following 27 scripts: Arabic, Armenian, Bengali, Chinese (Han), Cyrillic, Devanagari, Ethiopian, Georgian, Greek, Gujarati, Gurmukhi, Hebrew, Japanese (Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji [Han]), Kannada, Khmer, Korean (Hangeul and Hanja [Han]), Lao, Latin, Malayalam, Burmese, Oriya, Sinhala, Tamil, Telugu, Thaana, and Thai.
Module 3 Application Submission – 1.8.3 DNS Stability Review
Module 3 Application Submission – 1.9 Internationalized Domain Names
What are the length requirements for new gTLD names?
New gTLD names can be between 3 and 63 characters long.
Can I apply for a geographic domain name that has a close connection to a country?
Applications for geographic domain names must be submitted to ICANN with a document showing support from the relevant authority.
Module 7 String and Application Evaluation Procedures – 5 Geographic Names
Will the Confederation submit applications for certain geographical gTLDs (.suisse, etc.)?
The Federal Chancellery is responsible for developing a federal policy for the defence and/or registration of gTLDs and domain names whose designation is of national interest.
In 2012, the Confederation submitted an application for the ‘.swiss’ domain. This is now operated by OFCOM. The aim was to defend the country's interests and prevent third parties from monopolising or misusing this extension.
The Confederation does not currently plan to submit an application for the 2026 round.
What law applies to the relationship between the registry and ICANN, between the registry and registrars, and between registrars and their customers (domain name holders)?
These relations are governed by private law contracts between the parties mentioned. As regards relations between ICANN and the registry, Californian law applies in principle.
What protections are in place for rights holders (intellectual property)?
During the evaluation of applications, rights holders have the opportunity to object to an application by contacting the dispute resolution service provider designated by ICANN. Intellectual property rights holders can file an objection on the grounds of infringement of their rights by sending an email in English to the Arbitration and Mediation Centre of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). Further information is available on the WIPO website. For advice on conflicts between domain names and trademarks, please consult a trademark advisor. Objections are handled through a dispute resolution process.
Objections and appeals are described in the following chapter of the Applicant Guidebook.
Module 4 Community Input, Objections, and Appeals – 5 Objections and Appeals
Conflict resolution is described in the following module of the Applicant Guidebook.
Module 5 Contention Set Resolution
Links to the above-mentioned organisations.
Link to website of WIPO
Trademark advisor - IGE | IPI
In addition, new registries must implement mechanisms allowing rights holders to:
- register a domain name in the new gTLD on a priority basis during a ‘sunrise’ period
- resolve any dispute with a new registry concerning Community domains using the Post-Delegation Dispute Resolution Procedure (PDDRP) or the ‘Registration Restriction Dispute Resolution Procedure’ (RRDRP)
- defend themselves against registrations of second-level domain names deemed abusive in each new gTLD created, through a system of rapid suspension of a domain name (URS) or by resorting to the ‘classic’ UDRP procedure
- register their trademarks with a clearinghouse, which must be used by each registry in dispute resolution procedures
Can the Swiss government defend my case as a candidate or opponent of a new domain with ICANN?
The Swiss government can only act if a public interest is at stake. Individual interests must be defended by the party that considers itself directly harmed before ICANN or the dispute resolution services in accordance with the procedures defined by ICANN, or by bringing an action before a competent state court.