What is .dubai?
.dubai entered the DNS root zone on January 7, 2016, 10 years ago. It came out of ICANN's New gTLD Program, the 2012 application round that grew the root from 22 generic TLDs to well over a thousand.
On the technical side, .dubai is served by 4 authoritative name servers, every one of them reachable over IPv6. It is also DNSSEC-signed: the root zone carries a DS record for .dubai, which lets validating resolvers check its answers cryptographically. Registration data is published over RDAP and WHOIS (the WHOIS server is whois.nic.dubai).
.dubai FAQ
What does .dubai mean?
.dubai is a generic top-level domain named for the word "dubai", and it's aimed at cities & regions. It doesn't belong to any country.
What is .dubai used for?
.dubai is mostly used for cities & regions. Like most gTLDs, it's a label of intent rather than a guarantee — check the site, not just the ending.
What country is .dubai?
None. .dubai is a generic top-level domain, so it isn't tied to any country.
Who owns the .dubai domain extension?
Dubai Smart Government Department operates .dubai as its registry, under a registry agreement with ICANN.
When was .dubai created?
.dubai was delegated to the DNS root zone on January 7, 2016.
Is .dubai a valid domain?
Yes. .dubai is an active top-level domain in the DNS root zone, delegated in 2016, so .dubai addresses work in every browser.
Can I buy a .dubai domain?
.dubai names are sold through ICANN-accredited registrars. Some gTLDs restrict who can register, so read Dubai Smart Government Department's policy if you're unsure.
Is .dubai DNSSEC-signed?
Yes, the root zone holds a DS record for .dubai.
Sources
Data from IANA root zone version 2026102000. Last changed May 21, 2020. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
