Middle East Domains – Registration Guide and Requirements

If you have clients from the Middle East, consider domains from this region. A "I'm from here" signal in your website address is crucial in marketing communications. This is where regional country code domains and their variants come into play.

When is it worth investing in Middle Eastern domains?

A domain doesn't sell itself, but it can help build customer trust, emphasize the local nature of the offer, and facilitate traffic selection. If a company operates in the region or has a branch or distributor there, the country (market) ending is a simple message about the local origin of the offer.

Middle Eastern Country Domain Map

If you're interested in domains from the Middle East, please use our map.

Middle Eastern Domain List

Middle Eastern Domain Overview

Domain registration in most Middle Eastern countries is possible without restrictions. A local agent service is required, for example. including the .om extension in Oman.

Below you will find the most popular extensions from this region and a brief description of the registration conditions:

.ae (United Arab Emirates) - can be registered today not only by entities from the United Arab Emirates, but also by individuals, companies, and organizations from abroad. The chosen name must meet certain requirements. Terms related to sexual, religious, political, gambling, discriminatory content, and the names of cities located in the UAE are prohibited.

.bh (Bahrain) - registrations are possible without additional restrictions. The offer is available to individuals, companies, and organizations from abroad.

.qa (Qatar) - available to registrants from all over the world. There is no longer a requirement to have a local representative in Qatar. It is also possible to register an address with the .com.qa extension.

.om (Oman) - Address registration in the .com.om zone is available, as well as the ability to obtain a domain directly with the .om extension.

Domain registration in Oman is intended for companies registered with the Ministry of Commerce of the Sultanate of Oman. Foreign entities can apply for domain registration through a local representative.

For companies outside of Oman, it is necessary to establish a power of attorney for a local agent (a local contact within our service), who will be authorized to register and manage the domain. The agent service is provided by us and is included in the domain registration and maintenance costs. The required power of attorney must be legalized at the Omani consulate.

A domain name should clearly refer to the company name, trademark, or specific product. Generic names (e.g., "internet") and terms that violate local laws or social norms are not permitted. The registry may request additional documents or a statement confirming the domain name's connection to the applicant. The registration procedure in Oman is complex and typically takes approximately 20 business days.

.ir (Iran) - can also be registered by companies not based in Iran. The chosen domain name must comply with applicable law and the principles and interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran. If you have any questions regarding the availability of a specific domain name, please contact our support team. We will check the actual domain status and, if possible, prepare a registration order.

.tr (Turkey) - In September 2024, open registration of domains directly with the .tr extension was launched. This means there are no restrictions; in parallel, it is still possible to register com.tr domains, which remain available to companies and individuals worldwide without additional restrictions.

.co.il (Israel) - In the Israeli .il zone, only third-level domains are available, the most common extension being .co.il. .co.il addresses can be registered by both individuals and businesses, regardless of country of origin (not just from Israel).

The registration process requires verification of the registrant's data. After submitting the order, a link is sent allowing the submission of documents confirming identity or company status (e.g., an extract from the registry). Applications containing names that do not comply with registry regulations may be rejected.

.com.kw (Kuwait) - In Kuwait, only third-level domain name registrations are possible. Available extensions are assigned to specific types of entities: .com.kw for commercial activities, org.kw for organizations, net.kw for internet operators, .gov.kw for public institutions, and .edu.kw for educational and scientific entities. Companies and organizations outside Kuwait can only obtain a domain through a local representative. Domeny.tv offers local representation. We provide a registration agent service, which is included in the domain maintenance fee and allows for compliance with formal registry requirements. The domain name must directly relate to the applicant's company name or registered trademark.

.iq (Iraq) - registration of domains with the .iq extension is currently only possible for entities with a trademark registered in Iraq. The trademark can be owned by either a company operating in Iraq or a foreign entity. For registrants from outside the country, it is necessary to appoint a local agent or representative authorized to register the domain. For entities without their own representative in Iraq, an additional paid brokerage service is available. In all cases, an Iraqi trademark remains mandatory. The .iq domain registration procedure is time-consuming and typically takes about 6 weeks.

Domain Selection Criteria for B2B Exports to the Middle East

In B2B exports, the domain acts as a filter. It's meant to filter out random traffic and attract those looking for a provider from the Middle East or one that trades in that market. Therefore, the first decision regarding the purpose of registering domain names is not only which domain name, but also which country-specific ccTLDs to consider.

Start by asking where you will sell and how you want to appear to customers. When making your choice, consider availability and registration procedures. Some domain extensions can be registered immediately and have no restrictions, while others require additional formal requirements. Remember that B2B exports value simplicity and consistency; the same name in several countries can be cheaper than "putting out a fire" after someone registers the name you want.

Step-by-step domain registration at Domeny.tv

• Enter the domain name in the Domeny.tv search engine.
• Compare availability for interesting extensions, e.g., Bahrain, Turkey, Kuwait.
• You are adding the variants you are interested in to your cart.
• If you are in a zone with the "ask about availability" mode, the Domeny.tv Customer Service Office will support the domain registration process.

Middle East Domain FAQ

Do .ir and .co.ir domains differ in availability?

Both can be registered online.

Is .bh only for Bahraini companies?

.BH Domain Registry publishes the rules and registration path for the registrar; the details of the restrictions depend on the zone rules and the domain variant selected. In practice, you start by checking availability in the Domeny.tv search engine.

Why do I see "inquire about availability" next to Oman?

These domains require an additional query, which usually goes hand in hand with the registry process, with possible additional formalities.

How can I quickly check if my brand name is available in Iran and Bahrain?

Enter the name in the Domeny.tv search engine and compare availability for .ir, .co.ir, and .bh — it's the fastest and easiest way.

Will I find all the countries in this region here?

You'll find 17 domains from this region on Domeny.tv (including Iran, Oman, and Kuwait). If you're looking for a country that's not listed here, use the "Domain Database" or the country code map.