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    5. .dubai

    Search For .dubai Domain

    Type
    Generic top-level domain
    Registry
    Dubai Smart Government Department
    Launched
    Registration term
    1–10 years
    DNSSEC
    Supported
    IDN
    Supported

    About .dubai domain

    .dubai is a geographic gTLD (geoTLD) delegated to the DNS Root Zone through ICANN's 2012 New gTLD Program, with formal delegation occurring on 7 January 2015. The registry operator is the Dubai Smart Government Department (formerly known as the Dubai eGovernment Department), a government body of the Emirate of Dubai. The extension became fully implemented on December 17, 2015. As a sponsored geographic TLD, .dubai is intended to serve as an authoritative and official online namespace, and the registry retains the right to conduct periodic eligibility audits of all registrants.

    Who can register .dubai domain

    Registration of .dubai domain names is restricted — it is not an open TLD available to the general public. Eligible registrants fall into two categories:

    • Government-affiliated entities of the Emirate of Dubai, which must provide the contact information of the entity's legal representative during registration.
    • Organisations registered in Dubai or in any of the Dubai Free Zones, which must supply their official registration number as recorded in the Department of Economic Development of Dubai's database.

    Individuals and businesses with no formal registration or government affiliation in Dubai are not eligible to register .dubai domains. The registry, in consultation with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), conducts periodic audits to verify ongoing eligibility, and domains found to be in violation of eligibility criteria may be revoked.

    How to register .dubai domain

    Because .dubai is a restricted geographic gTLD operated directly by a government registry, domain names are not freely available through standard commercial registrar channels in the way open gTLDs are. Allocation is governed by the Dubai Smart Government Department, which enforces eligibility requirements before and after registration. Eligible government entities and Dubai-registered organisations should contact the registry or an authorised registrar to initiate the registration process, providing the required documentation — either a legal representative's contact details (for government entities) or an official organisation registration number (for registered organisations). The registry reserves the right to reject applications that do not meet eligibility criteria and to revoke domains following periodic compliance audits.

    Typical uses of .dubai domain

    .dubai domains are primarily used by government departments, public institutions, and officially registered businesses operating within Dubai to establish authoritative and recognisable online identities. Organisations registered in Dubai's mainland or its many Free Zones use the extension to signal legitimacy and local relevance to their audiences. Rather than competing with generic extensions, .dubai serves as a trusted namespace for entities that want their web presence to be directly associated with the city's official commercial and governmental ecosystem, making it especially useful for service providers, trade bodies, and institutions whose work is closely tied to Dubai's economy and governance.

    Tips for registering .dubai domain

    • Eligibility documentation is mandatory. Government entities must provide legal representative contact details, and registered organisations must supply their Department of Economic Development registration number — have these ready before initiating registration.
    • Ongoing compliance audits apply. The registry conducts periodic audits after registration; if your organisation's status changes (e.g., you deregister from Dubai), your domain may be subject to revocation.
    • Domain name scope is limited. Government entities may only register names related to their executive functions, and organisations must register names that match or are substantially related to their name or the services they provide.
    • A reserved words list exists. The registry maintains a list of second-level labels that cannot be registered — including terms that violate public morality, are contrary to public order, or could deceive the public — so verify your desired name is not on this list before applying.
    • Content restrictions apply post-registration. Published content on .dubai domains must not violate public morality, must not be contrary to religious values, and must promote the registrant's legitimate Dubai-based entity or services; non-compliant use can result in domain suspension.

    Frequently asked questions about .dubai domain

    Who operates .dubai domain?The registry for .dubai domains is Dubai Smart Government Department.
    Who can register a .dubai domain?

    Eligibility is limited to two categories: government-affiliated entities of the Emirate of Dubai, and organisations formally registered in Dubai or within a Dubai Free Zone. There is no pathway for individuals, foreign companies without a Dubai registration, or entities based outside the UAE to register a .dubai domain. The registry cross-references applicant information against the Department of Economic Development's database of registered organisations to confirm eligibility before and after allocation.

    Can I transfer a .dubai domain between registrars?

    Because .dubai is a restricted, registry-controlled TLD, any inter-registrar transfer must still satisfy the underlying eligibility requirements — the receiving registrar must confirm the registrant remains an eligible entity. Standard ICANN transfer policies (including the 60-day transfer lock after a change of registrant) apply, but the registry's own audit rights mean that a transfer does not reset or waive compliance obligations. Prospective transferees should confirm with both the losing and gaining registrar that the process is supported before initiating a transfer request.

    What content restrictions apply to .dubai domains after registration?

    The registry conducts periodic audits of content published through .dubai domains to ensure it does not violate public morality, is not contrary to religious values, and actively promotes the registrant's government entity, organisation, or related services in Dubai. Content that deceives the public, is prejudicial to the interests or security of Dubai or the UAE, or conflicts with public order is prohibited. Domains found to host non-compliant content can be suspended or revoked by the registry, independent of any action by the registrar.

    Are there dispute resolution policies for .dubai domain names?

    As an ICANN-delegated gTLD, .dubai is subject to ICANN's standard rights protection mechanisms, including the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) and the Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) system for clear-cut trademark infringement cases. However, because eligibility is already restricted to verified Dubai-registered entities, the pool of potential bad-faith registrants is significantly narrower than in open gTLDs. Trademark holders who believe a .dubai domain was registered in bad faith can file a UDRP complaint with an ICANN-accredited dispute resolution provider.

    Can a registered organisation use .dubai for any purpose, or are there scope limits?

    Registered organisations are limited to domain names that match or are closely and substantially related to their registered name or the specific services they render — broad or speculative registrations unrelated to the organisation's actual business are not permitted. This scope restriction is enforced both at the point of registration and through ongoing audits. The intent is to ensure that every .dubai domain corresponds to a genuine, verifiable entity actively operating within Dubai's commercial or governmental ecosystem.