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The round of new top-level domains is coming, should we apply for .est?

Back in 2012, a big change happened on the internet. Over 1,200 new and unique domain names were added, like .pizza and .futbol. Some of them were even in different languages and alphabets, like Arabic or Chinese. These are called Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs).

Today, a new round of top-level domain (TLD) applications is coming. This gives businesses, communities, and other groups the chance to create domain names that match their language, culture, or brand. The possibilities are huge! These new names can help companies stand out online—whether they’re from a specific country, industry, or niche market.

The new round is also a great step toward a more multilingual internet for the billions of people who read and write in different scripts and languages.

So, how much does it cost to apply?

The fee will cover all program costs so that ICANN (the organization in charge of domain names) doesn’t need extra funding. The estimated cost is $227,000 USD. The exact amount will be shared in the official applicant guide.

Who can apply?

Any legal entity or organization from anywhere in the world can apply to run a new top-level domain.

What are the rules?

The rules are described in the Applicant Guidebook (AG), which is still being updated. The final version is expected in December 2025. The main principles likely won’t change. If there's no agreement on something, the 2012 rules will still apply.

You can already read the draft version of the guide. It answers many questions, like:

• What kinds of domain names can you apply for?

• What are the rules for brand names or geographic names?

• How are applications judged?

• What happens if two people apply for the same name?

The guide is available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. But applications must be submitted in English.

What if you need help applying?

There’s a program called the Applicant Support Program (ASP). It helps groups who may not be able to afford the full cost. ICANN created this program to make the process more fair and accessible.

If you think you might qualify, you should check out the ASP Handbook. It explains how to apply for support, what the deadlines are, and what the requirements are.

What’s the Registry Service Provider Evaluation Program?

This time, there’s also a new system for checking the technical side of domain applications. It’s called the Registry Service Provider (RSP) Evaluation Program. The idea is to make the process faster and cheaper by evaluating each RSP only once, even if they help with many domain applications.

If you apply for a new domain, you’ll have to choose an RSP from a pre-approved list, which will be published before the application period starts.

So, can we apply for .est?

Sadly, no. Current rules don’t allow three-letter country codes (like .est) to be used. Even though Estonia took part in discussions and tried to change this rule, the opinions were too different around the world. Fun fact: back in 2012, even Google showed interest in .est! So three-letter country codes were left out again.

Author: Heiki Sibul,
Board Member, Estonian Internet Foundation (EIS)