The BIE regulates two types of expositions according to its quality, scale and duration: Registered International Exhibitions (Formerly called Universal International Expositions) and Recognized International Exhibitions (Formerly called International or Specialized International Expositions).

The Registered International Exhibitions may occur every five years since 2000, lasting six months, for example, the Expo 2010 in Shanghai China and Expo 2015 in Milan Italy.

The Recognized International Exhibitions may occur between Registered International Exhibitions and last for three months in general, for example, Expo 2008 in Zaragoza Spain and Expo 2012 in Yeosu Korea.