Frequent Questions About Asia Domains
What is .asia?
The .ASIA top-level domain (TLD) is an ICANN-sponsored domain extension that represents the Asia-Pacific region. A .ASIA domain gives you exposure to the region as a whole, as opposed to individual countries, such as a .JP or .CN extension. This is particularly useful for companies that conduct business in different Asian countries, because securing the .ASIA domain gives you regional recognition, makes it easier to manage your Web presence, and increases your exposure to the growing number of Internet users in the Asia-Pacific region.
If you or one of your contacts lives in the Asia-Pacific region, you can register a .ASIA domain name. For more information about the countries that make up the Asia-Pacific region, see Which countries are in the Asia-Pacific region?. Registration becomes available in stages, and you must follow the guidelines, as follows:
- October 9, 2007 to October 30, 2007, Early Bird Sunrise. Registration is open for domains containing registered trademarks, where the trademark was applied for prior to March 16, 2004.<
- November 13, 2007 to January 15, 2008, General Registered Marks. Registration is open for domains containing registered trademarks, where the trademark was applied for prior to December 6, 2006.<
- November 13, 2007 to January 15, 2008, Extended Protection. Registration is open for any domains containing registered trademarks.<
- November 13, 2007 to January 15, 2008, Registered Entity Names. Registration is open for any domains containing the registered entity's name.<
- February 2008, Landrush. Pre-registration opens for individuals who have at least one contact in the Asia-Pacific region.<
- March 26, 2008, Go Live. Registration opens on a first-come-first-served basis for individuals who have at least one contact in the Asia-Pacific region.<
NOTE: Registrants are notified of successful registrations following the conclusion of the phase in which their domain was registered. For example, successful registrants whose domains were awarded during Early Bird Sunrise will be notified after October 30, 2007. If a registration was rejected, the Asia Registry may notify them earlier. We refund rejected registrations when .ASIA notifies us of the rejection.
To register a .ASIA domain during the Sunrise period, complete an application for the domain and apply for a registration length from two to 10 years. The application fee is non-refundable, even if your application is denied.
To register a .ASIA domain during and after the Landrush period, pay the .ASIA registration fee, based on the number of years for which you want to register your domain. The minimum registration is one year, and the maximum is 10 years. You do not need to complete an application or pay an application fee to register a .ASIA domain during or after the Landrush period.
There are no restrictions for the content you can place on your .ASIA Web pages.
Who can register .asia domains?
If your business, organization, or community group is located in one of the Asia-Pacific countries, you can register a .asia domain. If it is located outside of this region, your .asia registration must include at least one contact who resides in one of the Asia-Pacific countries. For more information about the countries that make up the Asia-Pacific region, see Which countries are in the Asia-Pacific region?.
Are there any restrictions on content I can place on .asia Web pages?
There are no restrictions for the content you can place on your .asia Web pages.
What is the process for registering .asia domains?
To register a .ASIA domain, at least one of your registration contacts must reside in the Asia-Pacific region. Depending on the group you're affiliated with, such as a business applying for a trademarked name, you can complete an application for your .ASIA domain and submit it during the appropriate timeframe. The process is:
- Complete your application, which includes Domain Name, Registration Term, Registered Name, Registration Number, Registration Country, Application Date, Registration Date, Form of Entity, Registered Class, and Pre-verification Number.<
- Submit your application during the appropriate timeframe. For more information, see What is .ASIA?.<
- When you apply for the domain, we charge you an application fee, if applicable, and the registration fee. If the domain is rejected, we refund the registration fee.<
- Registrants are notified of successful registrations following the conclusion of the phase in which their domain was registered. For example, successful registrants whose domains were awarded during Early Bird Sunrise will be notified after October 30, 2007.<
Domain names can be up to 63 characters, with a minimum of three characters, and can contain letters (a to z), numbers (0 to 9), and single hyphens (except at the beginning, end, or third and fourth characters in the domain name). You cannot register domain names with special characters.
Which countries are in the Asia-Pacific region?
To register a .ASIA domain, at least one contact must reside in the Asia-Pacific region, as follows:
- Afghanistan
- Antarctica
- Armenia
- Australia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Bhutan
- Brunei Darussalam
- Cambodia
- China
- Christmas Island
- Cocos (Keeling Islands)
- Cook Islands
- Cyprus
- Democratic People's Republic of Korea
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Georgia
- Heard Island and McDonald Islands
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- Israel
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kiribati
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Lao People's Democratic Republic
- Lebanon
- Macao
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Marshall Islands
- Myanmar
- Mongolia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- New Zealand
- Niue
- Norfolk Island
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Palestinian Terroitories
- Papua New Guinea
- Philippines
- Qatar
- Republic of Korea
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- Sri Lanka
- Syrian Arab Republic
- Tajikistan
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Tokelau
- Tonga
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- United Arab Emirates
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Viet Nam
- Samoa
- Yemen