History of the TLD

The .bh domain is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) assigned to the Kingdom of Bahrain and was first introduced on 1 February 1994. Initially managed by the University of Bahrain Computer Center, it was later delegated to the Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco). In 2008 the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) was designated as the official manager of .bh. The TRA redelegation was approved by ICANN in 2012, reinforcing government regulatory oversight. An internationalized Arabic-script variant, البحرين, was approved and made available following modernisation initiatives. .bh serves as Bahrain’s primary national domain and signifies Bahraini connection for entities online. 

Main Use and Industry Position

.bh is intended for entities with ties to Bahrain including businesses, organisations, individuals and institutions. It functions as the national digital identity for Bahrain online. Use cases include commercial services, educational platforms, professional service sites, government representation and personal branding. The ccTLD supports both second‑level and restricted third‑level registrations beneath designated labels such as .com.bh, .net.bh, .edu.bh and others. .bh occupies a position similar to other country code TLDs that align internet presence with geographic identity. 

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to generic TLDs such as .com and .net, .bh explicitly signals Bahrain affiliation, which can enhance local trust and relevance in Bahraini and regional markets. Unlike unrestricted generic TLDs, .bh implements eligibility rules and registration requirements for third‑level domains. It differs from other Middle East ccTLDs by offering both second and third level structures, with expanded availability for international registrants since 2022. Its use of an Arabic IDN variant also reflects regional linguistic inclusivity.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Strong national identity and branding for Bahraini presence online

• Supports local search relevance in Bahrain

• Structured options for specific sectors through third‑level labels

• International registration available for second‑level domains

Cons

• Restrictions and documentation requirements for certain third‑level domains

• No universal privacy protection in WHOIS

• May be more costly than generic TLDs

• Less global recognition outside Bahrain compared to major gTLDs

Registration Criteria

Registration is available at the second level and under specific third‑level labels. Second‑level .bh registrations are open to international entities. Third‑level domain registrations (e.g., .edu.bh, .org.bh) generally require documentary proof of eligibility, such as business registration, institutional licence or personal identification, and may require local presence conditions for some categories. Domain names must comply with naming rules established by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, including character and format restrictions. 

Summary

.bh is the official ccTLD for the Kingdom of Bahrain, managed by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority. It has been active since 1994 and offers both second and third‑level registrations with structured eligibility requirements. The extension is used broadly to represent Bahraini entities and interests online, supports a range of sectors through structured third‑level labels, and provides a national identity distinct from generic TLDs.