Canada’s online market is growing fast. From small local businesses to major national brands, Canadian consumers expect to see local, recognizable domains when they shop, learn, or connect online.
That’s why the .CA domain – Canada’s official online identity – remains a top choice for anyone doing business in or with Canada.
In this article, we’ll explain what a .CA domain is, who can register it, what rules apply, and how you, as a web hoster or agency, can easily add it to your catalog to increase customer loyalty, margins, and relevance in one of the world’s most digitally mature markets.
What is the .CA domain?
The .CA domain is the country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Canada. It’s managed and operated by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), a not-for-profit organization that oversees Canada’s internet infrastructure and promotes safe, reliable access for everyone online.
CIRA’s role extends beyond managing domain registrations. It also ensures that the .CA namespace remains secure, transparent, and distinctly Canadian.
Every .CA registrant must meet CIRA’s Canadian Presence Requirements (CPR), which means that an individual or organization must have a legal presence in Canada to register the domain. This maintains the integrity of the domain space and protects it from misuse.
The .CA TLD is commonly used by:
- Canadian businesses that want to show customers they’re locally owned or operating in Canada.
- Government bodies, charities, and public institutions such as universities and municipalities.
- International brands that have a local branch, website, or customer base in Canada.
When users see a .CA domain, they immediately recognize it as local and trustworthy – a key factor in winning Canadian consumers.
Who is the .CA domain for?
The .CA TLD isn’t open to everyone – and that’s part of what makes it valuable.
CIRA’s Canadian Presence Requirements define exactly who is eligible to register a .CA domain. These rules are designed to preserve .CA as an authentic Canadian space that reflects national identity and local credibility.
You or your customers qualify to register a .CA if they can show a legitimate connection to Canada, such as one of the following:
- Canadian citizens or permanent residents living in Canada.
- Corporations that are legally registered in Canada.
- Government bodies, educational institutions, or non-profits operating in Canada.
- Trademarks registered in Canada.
Click here to see the full Canadian Presence Requirements.
If you offer .CA domains to your customers, communicating these requirements early in the buying process helps prevent failed registrations and keeps customers satisfied.
Why .CA helps with local trust and visibility
Canadian consumers are discerning and privacy-conscious.
They prefer to buy from businesses that understand their local market, and that starts with a .CA domain.
Did you know that 85% of Canadians prefer to buy from a .ca website rather than a .com when supporting local businesses?
If that’s not enough for you, here are four more ways .CA domains help increase trust and visibility for Canadian companies and individuals:
1. Local trust and identity
A .CA instantly signals to users your connection to Canada. It signals that a business is part of the local economy and adheres to Canadian laws and standards.
That credibility can make all the difference when consumers are deciding between a .com and a .CA option.
2. Better visibility in search
Search engines prioritize local relevance.That means search engines will prioritize .CA sites for visitors searching for local Canadian results.
3. Privacy and data protection
All .CA domains are subject to Canadian privacy laws – among the strongest in the world. And that shows in the numbers. Due in part to CIRA’s Canadian Presence Requirements, .CA domains are one of the least abused TLDs in the world, adding to their credibility and trust factor.
CIRA also allows individual registrants to protect their personal information from public WHOIS listings, adding another layer of security and trust.
4. Bilingual flexibility
The .CA namespace supports Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs), meaning both English and French characters can be used. This makes it ideal for bilingual or region-specific branding across Canada.
For resellers, this makes .CA an attractive, high-value domain that naturally drives retention. Customers who build their local identity around .CA are less likely to let their domain name expire, leading to consistent revenue year after year.
How registration, renewal and transfers work
The .CA registration process is straightforward but includes a few steps unique to CIRA.
Registration:
- Domains are available for 1 to 10 years.
- Domains should be between 2-50 characters.
- IDNs for French characters are supported.
- After registration, CIRA verifies the registrant’s eligibility.
- If the registrant doesn’t meet the requirements, CIRA may suspend or cancel the domain.
Renewal:
- Domains can be renewed any time before expiry.
- Expired domains enter a 40-day soft quarantine followed by a 28-day hard quarantine, allowing renewal before deletion.
Transfer:
- The average transfer takes 1-5 business days.
- The domain must be unlocked, and the registrant must approve the transfer.
Security:
- .CA fully supports DNSSEC.
- It also allows WHOIS privacy for individual users.
Knowing these steps helps resellers and hosters guide their customers confidently, minimizing support issues and increasing satisfaction.
Want to know more about how to resell this TLD profitably? Check our guide on .ca domains for resellers.
How to register .CA TLDs with Openprovider in 4 simple steps
Openprovider makes it easy to start selling .CA domains to your Canadian clients or global customers with a Canadian presence.
1. Log in to your Openprovider account
Go to the control panel and navigate to “Domains overview” → “Domain registration”.
2. Confirm eligibility
Before registration, check that you or your customer meets CIRA’s presence requirements – such as citizenship, residency, a registered company, or a valid trademark.
3. Register your domain
Choose the domain name you want and follow the steps to complete the registration. Fill in the following fields here:
- Number of years you want to register the domain
- Domain owner and contact information
- Nameserver settings
- Proof of local presence
- Optional: add other products and services to your domain (such as an SSL certificate or Whois Privacy Protection)
For more information, see the .CA entry in the Openprovider Knowledge Base.
4. Confirmation
After the registration is confirmed, CIRA will send an email informing the registrant about the terms and conditions of the .CA domain name.
Frequently asked questions
What is the .CA domain?
.CA is Canada’s country-code top-level domain, managed by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA). It’s the go-to extension for Canadian businesses, individuals, and organizations.
Who is eligible to register a .CA?
Anyone with a valid Canadian presence, such as citizens, residents, corporations, or trademark holders registered in Canada.
Can non-residents get a .CA via trademarks?
Yes. Foreign applicants with a registered Canadian trademark can register the exact trademark as a .CA domain.
How long do .CA transfers take on average?
Most transfers complete within 1–5 business days once the transfer code and approval are provided.
Does .CA support DNSSEC and IDNs?
Yes. DNSSEC adds extra protection against tampering, and IDNs support bilingual domain names in English and French.
Can I protect my contact details on .CA WHOIS?
Yes. Individual registrants can hide personal details from public WHOIS listings.
What happens if eligibility changes after registration?
If a registrant no longer meets the Canadian Presence Requirements, CIRA may suspend or delete the domain. Registrants can appeal or requalify if circumstances change.
Conclusion
The .CA domain remains one of the most trusted digital identifiers in the world – and for good reason. It connects businesses to a growing, trust-oriented market while protecting the integrity of Canada’s online space.
For resellers, hosters, and agencies, adding .CA to your catalog opens the door to stronger customer relationships, high renewal rates, and a domain that practically markets itself through local relevance.
Want to know more about reselling .CA through Openprovider – and benefiting from great prices? Click here!
