Summary

  • For new applicants, the gTLD evaluation fee covers the primary gTLD and up to four variant strings.
  • Each additional allocatable variant beyond the fourth carries another USD 227,000 evaluation fee.
  • A separate one-time waiver covers up to four variants for eligible 2012 Round existing gTLD operators; it is not a general waiver.

The fee curve changes at the fifth allocatable variant. Up to four variants sit inside the stated allowance. The next allocatable variant does not merely add a small supplement: it triggers another full evaluation fee, and the same rule applies to every additional allocatable variant beyond the fourth.

The 2026 Round gives eligible existing gTLD operators from the 2012 Round a one-time application-fee waiver for up to four variants of their existing gTLD. Above that threshold, they too pay the full fee for each additional allocatable variant. Conditional evaluation fees may still apply.

Analysis

A budget should therefore freeze the primary string, the set of applied-for allocatable variants, the first four included positions, and every chargeable position after the fourth. Classify every string as calculated, blocked, or allocatable before applying the fee rule; only allocatable strings after the fourth are chargeable. This marginal-fee register is BTW governance guidance, not an ICANN-required format. It should not count blocked variants or infer that payment secures a successful evaluation, contract or delegation.

Sources