About .im domain
.im is a country code top-level domain (ccTLD) delegated for the Isle of Man. It was launched in September 1996 and is administered by the Isle of Man Government, with day-to-day management by the registry operator Domicilium. The extension transitioned to an open registration model in 2006, allowing global registrations directly at the second level. It is notable for permitting registrations of very short names, including one- and two-letter domains.
Who can register .im domain
Registration for .im domains is open to any individual or organization worldwide, with no geographic restrictions or residency requirements. There are no special verification or documentation processes for most domains. Certain second-level domains like .gov.im are reserved for specific entities, such as the Isle of Man Government. The registry prohibits registration of domain names containing profanity or offensive terms.
How to register .im domain
- Search for your desired .im domain name's availability using a domain registrar's search tool, noting that names can be 3 to 64 characters long and cannot begin or end with a hyphen.
- Compare pricing and terms from different accredited registrars, as retail prices can vary significantly from the registry's standard list price.
- Complete the checkout process with your chosen registrar, providing accurate registrant contact information required for all registrations.
- After purchase, verify your contact details and configure your domain's DNS settings, such as nameservers, to point to your hosting service.
Typical uses of .im domain
The .im extension sees primary use by entities connected to the Isle of Man. It has also gained significant popularity for creative domain hacks and branding, particularly among instant messaging (IM) software companies and related services, who use it to abbreviate their product names. The availability of short, memorable names has made it attractive for personal websites, tech projects, and specific European markets for real estate (Immobilien) branding.
Tips for registering .im domain
- Domains can be registered for a minimum of one year, with no stated maximum registration term in the provided source material.
- The registry offers premium pricing for one-character (£995) and two-character (£495) domains, while standard domains of three letters or more have a base price of £40 per year.
- The registry's rules explicitly prohibit domain names containing profanity, racist, or offensive words.
- Internationalized domain names (IDNs) are not currently supported by the .im registry.
Frequently asked questions about .im domain
How much does it cost to register and renew a .im domain?
As of today, .im domains start from $4.18/yr on NameBeta, with prices ranging up to $118.20/yr across 18 registrars. See the registrar comparison table on this page for live prices.Which registrars support .im domains?
NameBeta tracks 18 registrars that support .im domain registration, with the cheapest option at $4.18/yr. Full list on this page.Who operates .im domain?
The registry for .im domains is Domicilium, administered by Isle of Man Government.
Who can register a .im domain?
Registration is open globally to any person or entity without restriction. There is no requirement to prove a connection to the Isle of Man or to provide specific documentation for standard registrations. However, the registrant must adhere to the registry's acceptable use policy, which forbids certain types of offensive domain names.
Can I transfer a .im domain between registrars?
To transfer a .im domain to a new registrar, you must initiate the process with the gaining registrar and ensure the domain is unlocked at your current provider. The administrative contact email address on file will typically receive authorization requests, so it must be accessible. Transfers are subject to the registry's terms and cannot be processed within 60 days of a previous transfer or registration.
Are there any reserved or special-use second-level domains under .im?
Yes, certain second-level domains are reserved for specific purposes or structured use. For example, .gov.im is reserved for the Isle of Man Government. Other designated second-level domains like .ac.im, .co.im, .net.im, and .org.im are available for public registration, often intended for academic, commercial, network, and non-profit organizations respectively.
What is the dispute resolution policy for .im domains?
The .im registry has a specific Dispute Resolution Procedure (IM DRP) to handle conflicts over domain names. This policy is separate from the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) and is detailed in a document available from the registry. It provides a mechanism for trademark holders or other claimants to challenge registrations they believe were made in bad faith.
Can I register a one- or two-letter .im domain?
Yes, one- and two-character .im domains are available for registration. However, they are classified as premium domains by the registry and carry significantly higher prices. One-character domains are listed at £995 and two-character domains at £495, compared to the standard annual fee for longer names.
What are the technical rules for a valid .im domain name?
A .im domain name must be between 3 and 64 characters in total length, including the suffix. It can only contain letters a-z, numbers 0-9, and hyphens, but a hyphen cannot be the first or last character. The registry does not currently support internationalized domain names (IDNs), so characters outside the basic Latin alphabet are not permitted.
