About .bi domain
.bi is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) assigned to Burundi, administered by the Centre National de l'Informatique (CNI) through NIC BI. The domain was first delegated in October 1996, with a formal redelegation to CNI completed in July 2002 following a memorandum of understanding with ICANN. This redelegation marked a significant shift from out-of-country technical operation to fully in-country management. Beyond its geographic association, .bi has attracted registrations from parties drawn to its two-letter combination for branding purposes unrelated to Burundi.
Who can register .bi domain
.bi is available to both domestic and foreign registrants, making it relatively open compared to many ccTLDs. Foreign entities are not required to maintain a DNS or administrative contact within Burundi. However, certain second-level domains — including .gov.bi, .edu.bi, .com.bi, .co.bi, and others classified as "restricted" — require sponsorship from an official authority before they can be assigned. Registrations of well-known third-party brand names or trademarks without the trademark owner's consent are prohibited and subject to immediate deletion upon the owner's request.
How to register .bi domain
Search for your desired .bi domain name using a registrar's availability tool. Keep in mind that domain names must be a minimum of three characters; applications for one- or two-character names require prior arrangement with the registry.
Compare registrar offerings for .bi registrations, paying attention to registration fees, renewal pricing, and any included management features. Check whether the registrar supports the specific second-level structure you need (e.g., direct .bi vs. .com.bi or .org.bi).
Complete the checkout process by providing accurate registrant contact details. Ensure your chosen name is not a restricted category (such as "gov", "edu", or government-related terms) unless you have official sponsorship, and avoid registering generic geographic or misleading names that may be rejected by the registry.
After registration, verify your contact information and configure your DNS settings to point to your hosting provider or servers. Keep your WHOIS details accurate, as the registry's policy requires that a domain must reflect the truth about the registrant's identity and business.
Typical uses of .bi domain
.bi domains are used by a range of registrants, from Burundian businesses and organizations seeking a locally recognized web presence to international brands and startups that leverage the extension's two-letter combination for creative domain hacks. The extension has found particular appeal among companies and projects in the business intelligence space, where ".bi" serves as a memorable abbreviation, as well as communities and advocates associated with bisexuality who use it for identity and resource sites. Registrants often choose .bi over generic alternatives when the short, punchy suffix adds meaning or memorability to their brand or project name.
Tips for registering .bi domain
- Domain names registered under .bi must be at least three characters long; one- or two-character registrations are possible only with prior arrangement through the registry.
- Restricted second-level domains (such as those under .gov.bi or .edu.bi) will only be assigned if the application is sponsored by an official authority, so confirm eligibility before attempting to register in these spaces.
- The registry reserves the right to delete any domain found to infringe on a well-known trademark or brand at the trademark owner's request, so conduct a trademark clearance check before registering a name that could conflict with existing marks.
- Generic names (such as "bank", "name", "art", or geographic terms) are discouraged at the second level, as the registry may reject applications it considers misleading or undesirable.
- The registry operates a first-come, first-served allocation policy, so securing your preferred name promptly is advisable if it has branding value.