• AI Domain Generator
  • Blog
  • Docs
  • Pricing
  • Membership
  • Compare .bi domain prices

    RegistrarPriceRenew PriceWHOIS PrivacyPayment Methods
    $55.75
    $55.75
    Free
    Credit or Debit CardPayPalBank TransferCryptocurrencyLocal Payment Methods
    $53.88Cheapest
    $53.88Cheapest renewal
    Free
    Credit or Debit CardPayPalBank TransferUnionPayCryptocurrency
    $83.99
    $109.99
    Paid
    Credit or Debit CardPayPalBank Transfer
    $66.00
    $135.98
    Free
    Credit or Debit CardPayPalBank TransferCryptocurrency
    $89.08
    $91.79
    Free
    Credit or Debit Card
    $176.22
    $198.11
    Free
    Credit or Debit CardBank Transfer
    $75.00
    —
    Not offered
    Credit or Debit CardPayPalBank Transfer
    $85.00
    $85.00
    Not offered
    Credit or Debit CardPayPalGoogle PayBank TransferAlipayWeChat PayUnionPayCryptocurrencyLocal Payment Methods
    $89.95
    $91.95
    Paid
    Credit or Debit CardPayPalApple PayGoogle PayBank TransferAlipayUnionPay
    Type
    Country-code top-level domain
    Territory
    Burundi
    Registry
    Centre National de l'Informatique
    Launched
    DNSSEC
    Supported
    IDN
    Not supported

    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

    1. 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.

    2. 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).

    3. 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.

    4. 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.

    Frequently asked questions about .bi domain

    How much does it cost to register and renew a .bi domain?As of today, .bi domains start from $53.88/yr on NameBeta, with prices ranging up to $176.22/yr across 9 registrars. See the registrar comparison table on this page for live prices.
    Which registrars support .bi domains?NameBeta tracks 9 registrars that support .bi domain registration, with the cheapest option at $53.88/yr. Full list on this page.
    Who operates .bi domain?The registry for .bi domains is Centre National de l'Informatique.
    Who can register a .bi domain?

    Both residents of Burundi and foreign individuals or organizations are eligible to register .bi domains, with no requirement to maintain a local administrative or DNS contact in the country. The main practical restriction is that certain reserved or restricted labels — including those associated with government, education, or public institutions — require official sponsorship before they can be assigned. Applicants should also ensure their intended domain name genuinely reflects their business name or one of its marks, in line with the registry's core policy that a domain must represent the truth about its registrant.

    Can I transfer a .bi domain between registrars?

    Transfers of .bi domains between registrars follow standard inter-registrar transfer procedures, typically requiring an authorization code (also called an EPP or transfer auth code) from the losing registrar. It is advisable to check whether your registrar imposes a transfer lock period immediately after initial registration or after a recent transfer, as many registrars apply a 60-day lock by default. Before initiating a transfer, confirm that your domain's WHOIS contact details are accurate and up to date, as outdated information can cause transfer requests to fail or be delayed.

    What happens if my .bi domain is found to infringe on a trademark?

    The .bi registry explicitly prohibits the registration of well-known third-party brand names or trademarks without the consent of the trademark owner. If such a registration is identified, the registry will delete the domain immediately upon the owner's request, without a lengthy dispute process. Registrants should therefore conduct thorough trademark searches before registering any name that could be associated with an existing brand, as there is little recourse once a deletion order is issued. For broader international trademark disputes, the standard UDRP (Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy) process administered by ICANN may also apply.

    Are there content or usage policies enforced by the .bi registry?

    The registry defines "undesirable" domain names as those that are vulgar, misleading, or otherwise objectionable at its own discretion, and such names may be refused or revoked. Registrations intended to mislead users — for example, by exploiting the country-code suffix to create a false impression — are explicitly discouraged by the registry. While the registry describes its overall policy as relatively liberal for legitimate business-related registrations, it retains the right to reject or remove names that conflict with these standards.

    Can I register a .bi domain directly at the second level, or must I use a subdomain structure?

    Registrations are available directly at the second level (e.g., yourbrand.bi), which is the most common and straightforward option for most registrants. The registry also maintains structured second-level domains such as .com.bi, .co.bi, .org.bi, .or.bi, .edu.bi, .gov.bi, and .info.bi for registrations under those categories. Access to the restricted structured domains (particularly .gov.bi and .edu.bi) requires official sponsorship, but direct .bi registrations are generally open to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.