FAQ: Canadian Presence Requirements
.CA domain names are reserved for Canadians—people and organizations that meet CIRA’s Canadian Presence Requirements. You can find the information you need about the requirements in the following Frequently Asked Questions.
What are Canadian presence requirements?
Canadian presence requirements are criteria that classify Registrants according to legal type (e.g., as a company or an individual). The legal type determines whether Registrants are eligible to register .ca domain names and ensures that Registrants have a legal connection to Canada. CIRA requires potential Registrants to establish Canadian presence requirements before granting them a .ca domain.
Why does CIRA have Canadian presence requirements?
The .ca domain space has been developed as a key public resource for the social and economic development of all Canadians. Therefore, individuals or organizations that wish to register a dot-ca domain name must meet CIRA’s Canadian presence requirements.
What is a legal type?
A legal type is a category that classifies a Registrant’s legal status in Canada as defined in the document Canadian Presence Requirements for Registrants. A .ca Registrant must conform to at least one legal type to meet CIRA’s Canadian presence requirements. The legal type categories are the following:
- Canadian citizen
- Permanent resident of Canada
- Legal representative of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Corporation (Canada or Canadian province or territory)
- Trust established in Canada
- Partnership registered in Canada
- Canadian unincorporated association
- Canadian trade union
- Canadian political party
- Canadian educational institution
- Canadian library, archive or museum
- Canadian hospital
- Her Majesty the Queen
- Indian band recognized by the Indian Act of Canada
- Aboriginal Peoples (individuals and groups) indigenous to Canada
- Government or government entity in Canada
- Trade-mark registered in Canada (by a non-Canadian owner)
- Official marks registered in Canada
Who determines whether Registrants meet CIRA’s Canadian presence requirements?
CIRA determines if Registrants meet its Canadian presence requirements as defined in Canadian Presence Requirements for Registrants.
Where can I find more information on CIRA’s Canadian presence requirements?
For further information, please refer to the document Canadian Presence Requirements for Registrants.
