Welcome to ICANN85 Community Forum in Mumbai, India. The Community Forum is the first meeting in the three-meeting annual cycle, typically held in February or March. The duration of the Community Forum is six total days, running from Saturday through Thursday.
The Community Forum structure includes time for internal work of the Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees (SO/ACs), cross-community interaction, and plenary sessions on topics of community-wide interest.
ICANN85 Community Forum will be held in Mumbai, India at the Jio World Convention Centre from 7 - 12 March 2026.
This will be a hybrid meeting with both in-person and virtual participation.
All sessions will be conducted during regular working hours in Mumbai, India (India Standard Time, IST / UTC+5:30 hours).
Prep Week will be conducted on 23, 24, and 25 February 2026.
In-Person attendance registration remains open until 6 March. (On-site registration will not be available.)
To request an invitation letter for visa applications, please Register as an in-person participant for this meeting.
Indian, English
Indian Standard Time (IST) will be observed, UTC+5:30 Offset
High of 91.4°F (33°C) to a low of 69.8°F (21°C)
Indian Rupee (INR)
ICANN will provide on-site health and safety support during the event and, as appropriate, will refer travelers to local healthcare facilities and providers.
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As with all international travel, travelers have a responsibility to understand the entry and exit requirements of their travel and determine if they can meet those requirements before committing to travel.
Travelers may review specific travel requirements by visiting https://apply.joinsherpa.com/map or their local government international traveler websites.
Most foreign nationals entering India must possess a valid international travel document (a national passport) along with a valid visa or eVisa issued by the Government of India. The type of visa required generally depends on the traveler’s nationality.
As ICANN85 is an international conference, attendees should apply for a Conference e-Visa, unless otherwise advised by the local Indian Mission/Post (Embassy, Consulate, or other local Indian authority authorized to issue visas). Please note that all international conferences held in India are required to be registered with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). NIXI, as the ICANN85 local host, has completed this registration and obtained the necessary approvals. Upon registration, ICANN85 attendees will receive a copy of the approval letters, which are required for the visa application process.
All visa applicants are advised to consult the official visa guidance from the Government of India, available on this Authorized Portal for Visa Application to India webpage, before submitting their visa application. ICANN85 attendees are strongly advised to apply for their travel visas as early as possible and ensure that all required documentation is complete and accurate.
Disclaimer: While ICANN will make reasonable efforts to provide guidance and assistance, ICANN does not control the pace or outcome of visa issuance by the Government of India, including its embassies or consulates. Each embassy or consulate maintains its own procedures and timelines for reviewing and granting visas. ICANN does not have the authority to expedite or guarantee visa issuance. Decisions made by the Government of India, including its embassies or consulates, are independent of ICANN’s operations and may vary in speed, efficiency, and outcome. Travelers are solely responsible for planning their travel accordingly and ensuring that visa applications are submitted in a timely manner.
Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) is a key business district in Mumbai and hosts a range of reputable hotels, offices, and convention facilities. Mumbai is recognised as a major global city, and visitors can expect established commercial infrastructure and visible security measures in business areas such as BKC.
Travellers should apply standard precautions appropriate to large metropolitan environments. Maintain awareness of personal belongings, particularly in busy areas and during airport transfers. Road traffic can be heavy and driver behaviour may differ from other regions or cities; pedestrians are advised to use designated crossings where available and follow any police or traffic-management instructions.
Hotels and the conference facilities in Mumbai typically conduct routine security screening. To support efficient access, consider travelling with minimal baggage where possible and follow instructions from security personnel.
Certain traveller groups may wish to review additional guidance relevant to their needs, consistent with international travel-safety best practice. For example, female travellers may wish to consult official advice on personal safety when travelling alone or at night, as recommended by government travel advisory service such as the U.S. Department of State.
By observing sensible precautions and remaining alert to local conditions, business travellers can expect a safe, productive, and rewarding visit to this dynamic commercial hub.In case of an emergency, dial 112 to reach the centralised helpline for police, ambulance, or fire services.
Air quality in Mumbai may vary, so individuals with respiratory sensitivities are advised to carry necessary medication. Quality healthcare facilities are readily available in the city, including a private hospital within a short drive of the convention centre. To ensure a healthy stay, attendees are encouraged to maintain good hygiene practices, eat well-cooked food, and drink only sealed bottled or filtered water.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Mumbai is the international airport serving Mumbai, the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the second-busiest airport in India in terms of total and international passenger traffic after Delhi, the 14th-busiest airport in Asia and the 31st-busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic in 2024.
Average travel time from the airport to Jio World Convention Centre is approximately 30 minutes.
Regular metered taxis (black-and-yellow cabs, locally known as Kaali-Peeli taxis) are available at Mumbai International Airport. These taxis generally accept cash as the primary method of payment, unless booked through a local taxi-booking app such as Meru, which has designated pick-up areas clearly indicated on airport signboards.
For those preferring cashless payments, app-based ride services such as Uber and Ola operate at Mumbai International Airport. These platforms offer advantages such as upfront fare estimates, driver identification details, and the option to share trip information for added safety.
When using Uber, note that pick-up points differ by ride category:
Uber Go, the economy option, has different pick-up zones depending on the terminal. If you are arriving at Terminal 2, you may have to proceed to a separate parking facility adjacent to the terminal, where the designated pick-up area is located on Level P4. Due to frequent congestion, waiting times may be longer than estimated on the app.
In addition, these vehicles usually have limited boot space, which may not be suitable for travellers carrying multiple large suitcases.
Other ride categories – Uber Premier, Uber XL, Uber Green, and Uber Black – are available at a slightly higher cost (typically up to INR 600 or approximately USD 7,00 more, depending on the class). These options usually have separate, less crowded pick-up zones, and bigger boot space. Passengers are advised to follow airport signage for specific directions to their chosen Uber pick-up points.
Regardless of taxi type, the journey from Mumbai International Airport to the Jio World Convention Centre typically takes around 30 minutes, with fares ranging between INR 300 and 700 (approximately USD 4,00 to 8,00) before surge pricing. Costs may rise during periods of heavy traffic or delays.
Honking and close driving distances are common aspects of local road culture. As a standard safety measure, passengers are advised to wear seat belts, keep windows closed, and ensure doors remain locked throughout the journey.
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ICANN negotiates group rates for all official hotels to provide affordable housing options for attendees. Room blocks and rates are subject to availability and booking deadlines. In the event that ICANN room blocks are sold out, any remaining rooms will be sold at market rates set by the hotel. Please confirm deposit and cancellation policies directly with the hotel prior to booking.
Address: C 56, G Block BKC, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400098, India
Phone: +91 22 6672 7777
Trident Hotel Bandra Kurla (BKC) in Mumbai is a five-star hotel located in the city’s main business district. The hotel has modern rooms overlooking the city, several restaurants including O22, a spa, and an outdoor pool. It’s popular with business travellers due to its location near corporate offices and the airport.
10-minute walk to Jio World Convention Centre
Address: C 57, G Block BKC, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400098, India
Phone: +91 22 6117 5000
Step 1 - The client need to select the group arrival and departure date in between 6th to 13th March 2026
Step 2 – Select room category (Luxury room or Club Millesime Room)
Sofitel Mumbai BKC is a five-star hotel in the Bandra Kurla Complex, combining French elegance with Indian style. It features spacious rooms, a rooftop pool, spa, and multiple restaurants and bars. Popular with business travellers, it is close to major offices and offers a stylish, comfortable base in Mumbai’s commercial hub.
12-minute walk to Jio World Convention Centre
Address: Bandra Kurla Complex, Siddharath Nagar, Vakola, Vicinity, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400055, India
Phone: +91 22 6676 1234
Grand Hyatt Mumbai is a five-star hotel set on 12 acres near the Bandra Kurla Complex. It offers contemporary rooms, serviced apartments, multiple restaurants, a large spa, and outdoor pools. Known for its spacious design and resort feel, it’s popular with both business and leisure travellers visiting Mumbai.
11-minute DRIVE to Jio World Convention Centre
ICANN will provide shuttle service between Grand Hyatt Mumbai and the Jio World Convention Centre (JWC).
Registering for an ICANN meeting or event constitutes an acceptance of the Community Anti-Harassment Policy and Terms of Participation and Complaint Procedure, the ICANN Expected Standards of Behavior, Privacy Policy, and ICANN electronic Terms of Service.
CONDUCT
All participants are expected to conduct themselves on a professional level and will be held to the standards set forth in the ICANN Community Anti-Harassment Policy and Terms of Participation and Complaint Procedure and the ICANN Expected Standards of Behavior.
USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES
Registering for this meeting constitutes an agreement to ICANN’s use and distribution of image or voice of attendees in photographs and video, or audio recordings.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND RECORDING POLICY
Filming, photographing, and recording audio of open ICANN sessions is permitted, as long as the method of recording used is reasonable and not conducted in a manner that violates the ICANN Expected Standards of Behavior.
Registration and public participation in ICANN Public Meetings constitutes an agreement that all photography, video, or audio recordings of open ICANN sessions are permitted and can be posted in the public domain. Agreement does not constitute a waiver of the participant’s right to challenge any filming, photography, or audio recordings of an open ICANN session if it is being performed in a manner that violates ICANN's Expected Standards of Behavior.
The formal records of all open meetings will be those published on https://meetings.icann.org/en/calendar or icann.org.
No. There will be no onsite registration facilities, so you must register in advance. This provides the event organizers and venue the ability to get important information in advance in terms of expected numbers and capacity planning.
In-person, advance registration will close on Friday, 6 March 2026. After that point in time, only virtual participation will be open for continued registration. Walk-up and late registrations will not be accepted after the in-person advance registration closes. All walk-up and late registered attendees will only have access to virtual participation.
ICANN will provide health and safety support for all registered on-site attendees who need medical assistance during the event. Any attendee who desires medical assistance for minor-to-moderate illness or injury during the event is encouraged to contact the Health and Safety Team – contact details will be provided on the back of the attendee’s badge. For medical emergencies, please dial 112 immediately to reach emergency services.
If you feel unwell during the event, you are strongly encouraged to avoid or limit in-person activities and use virtual participation from your hotel room. Should you choose to engage in any in-person activities, either while unwell or after exposure to someone who is ill, you are strongly encouraged to wear a well-fitting mask to minimise risk to others.
As a reminder, adequate traveller and health insurance is the responsibility of the traveller, to ensure coverage of any costs incurred due to illness or injury while travelling.
ICANN org has modified several aspects of the arrival process with the return to hybrid meetings. All in-person attendees must be pre-registered by 6 March 2026 and show their registration confirmation email (requires a QR code) and government issued photo identification to receive an ICANN85 attendee badge.
To help reduce the queues, all attendees will be required to present their in-person registration confirmation emails (digital or printed), which will be scanned for entry. There will not be any onsite registration available. Accompanying persons and family members will not be permitted into the meeting space unless they are also registered as in-person attendees.
Badge Pickup Station hours at Jio World Convention Centre:
| Friday, 6 March | 9:00 – 16:00 (Early Check-in) |
| Saturday, 7 March | 8:00 – 17:00 |
| Sunday, 8 March | 8:00 – 17:00 |
| Monday, 9 March | 8:00 – 17:00 |
| Tuesday, 10 March | 8:00 – 17:00 |
| Wednesday, 11 March | 8:00 – 17:00 |
| Thursday, 12 March | 8:00 – 13:00 |
This page contains information from third-party websites that are not under
the control of ICANN. Sources include both private and government websites. Any information included on this
page that is not directly related to ICANN or its operations is for informational purposes only and has not
been verified or reviewed by the ICANN organization.