# Domain life cycle for .com and other international domains

> What happens to a .com, .net or .org domain from registration to expiry, grace period, redemption and deletion.

Source: https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/domains/guides/domain-life-cycle-for-com-and-other-international-domains/

International domains such as `.com`, `.net`, `.org`, `.info` and `.biz` follow the same life cycle, set by ICANN and each registry. Here's what happens at each stage. For Nigerian domains, see the [.ng domain name life cycle](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/domains/guides/ng-domain-name-life-cycle/) instead.

## 1. Registered

You can register or renew an international domain for 1 to 10 years at a time. While it's active, your website and email work normally, and you can renew it at any time.

## 2. Expired: grace period (days 1–30)

On the expiry date, the domain stops working. Your website and email go offline. You have **30 days** to renew it at the **normal renewal price**. As soon as you renew, everything comes back.

## 3. Redemption (days 31–60)

If you don't renew during the grace period, the domain enters a **30-day redemption period**. It can still be restored, but only through support, and a restoration fee applies on top of the renewal. See [Renewing an expired domain](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/domains/guides/renewing-an-expired-domain/).

## 4. Pending delete (about 5 days)

After redemption, the registry schedules the domain for deletion. **It can't be renewed or restored at this stage**, by you or by us.

## 5. Released

The domain is deleted and becomes available to the public. Anyone can register it, including people who watch for expiring domains.

> **Avoid losing your domain:**
Turn on **auto-renew** in **Domains → My Domains**, keep your contact email up to date, and renew for several years at a time.

## Related articles

- [Renewing a domain purchased from Ruachost](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/getting-started/guides/renewing-a-domain-purchased-from-ruachost-com/)
- [All about .ng domains](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/domains/guides/ng-domains/)