Qatar Introduces New .qa Domain Registration Policies Effective 22 October 2026

Important changes to domain eligibility, registration verification, transfers, renewals and domain ownership will affect .qa domain holders, businesses, registrars and resellers.

Originally published: 14 October 2026 | Updated: 21 October 2026

The Qatar Domains Registry (QDR), operated by the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), is introducing a new registry platform and updated domain name policies effective 22 October 2026.

The changes affect how Qatar domain names are registered, managed, renewed, transferred and recovered.

One of the most significant developments is the introduction of new eligibility requirements for second-level .qa domains, which were previously available for unrestricted registration by applicants worldwide.

Following additional clarification received from CRA on 21 October 2026, we can now provide further details about how registration verification will work and how the new requirements affect existing domain holders.

As a CRA-accredited Qatar domain registrar, QHost is preparing its systems and procedures to support the updated registry requirements.

Here is everything domain owners, businesses, resellers and technical partners need to know.

1. New Eligibility Requirements for .qa Domain Registrations

Previously, second-level .qa domains could be registered by individuals and businesses worldwide without requiring Qatar residency, local company registration or supporting eligibility documents.

Under the updated policies, new .qa domain registrations must meet specific eligibility requirements.

Applicants must qualify under an approved eligibility category and provide the relevant supporting documentation.

The registry’s approved categories for second-level .qa domains include:

• Commercial entities: Applicants qualifying through a trade licence or Commercial Registration (CR).
• Trademark holders: Applicants qualifying through relevant trademark rights.
• Individuals: Applicants qualifying through Qatar ID (QID) or residency permits.
• Organizations: Eligible sporting, charitable, public and religious organizations.
• Educational institutions: Qualifying educational institutions and public or private schools.
• Government and military entities: Applicants qualifying under their respective official categories.

Depending on the applicant, supporting documents may include a valid QID, residency permit, CR, trade licence, trademark certificate or other official documentation.

Can international customers still register .qa domains?

International applicants can no longer assume that .qa registration is unrestricted.

However, this does not necessarily mean that only Qatar residents or Qatar-incorporated companies are eligible.

Applicants outside Qatar may qualify under certain categories, such as qualifying trademark or commercial rights, provided they meet the applicable registry requirements.

Domain availability does not guarantee that the applicant qualifies to register the domain.

2. How Will the New Registration Verification Process Work?

CRA has clarified that accredited registrars may continue using their existing registration processes while ensuring that the required eligibility documentation is reviewed.

This means registrars are not universally required to complete a manual document review before submitting a domain registration to the registry.

New Five-Day Add Grace Period

The updated registry introduces a five-day Add Grace Period for new registrations.

This allows a registrar to:

1. Receive and process a new domain registration.
2. Collect the applicant’s supporting documents.
3. Review the documentation and verify eligibility.
4. Request further information where necessary.
5. Retain the registration if the applicant satisfies the requirements, or delete it within the applicable grace period if eligibility cannot be established.

CRA has confirmed that eligible deletions during the five-day Add Grace Period receive an immediate full refund of the registry registration fee.

Important: The registry refund arrangement applies between the registry and registrar. It does not automatically guarantee a customer refund, which remains subject to the applicable registrar terms.

Does this mean registration will be instant?

Not necessarily.

The registry permits registration before completion of document verification, but individual registrars remain responsible for compliance and may use different verification workflows.

Some applications may be processed automatically and reviewed afterward. Others may require document checks before registration.

Customers should therefore allow sufficient time for verification and should not assume that payment or initial activation represents final eligibility approval.

A registered domain can still be deleted if the applicant fails the required eligibility verification.

3. Supporting Documents and Customer Responsibilities

Under the updated policies, accredited registrars must collect and retain appropriate supporting documentation for eligible registrations.

Documents must be retained throughout the validity period of the registration and be available to CRA upon request.

Customers should ensure that:

• The applicant information matches the supporting documents.
• The documents are valid, accurate and legible.
• The selected eligibility category accurately reflects their circumstances.
• Additional documents are provided promptly when requested.

QHost has established a dedicated contact for preliminary eligibility document review:

Email: qhost+docs@qhost.qa

Subject format: Documents for example.qa

Replace example.qa with the actual domain name, and use a separate email for each domain.

This address supports preliminary submissions. Any additional technical submission or verification instructions will be communicated where applicable.

Customers with concerns about transmitting identity documents by email should contact QHost support to discuss the available submission arrangements before sharing sensitive information.

4. What Happens to Existing .qa Domains?

This is particularly important for customers who registered .qa domains under the previous unrestricted registration policy.

CRA has confirmed that existing domains will continue under the new registry platform’s automatic renewal process.

The introduction of the new eligibility requirements does not automatically cancel all existing registrations on 22 October 2026.

However, existing registrations are not permanently exempt from the updated requirements.

Changes to Existing Domains Will Trigger Eligibility Verification

CRA has explicitly clarified that eligibility verification must be completed before processing modifications to existing domain registrations, including applicable DNS updates.

Examples of changes that may trigger verification include:

• Changes to registrant information.
• Updates to registered contact details.
• Nameserver modifications.
• Applicable DNS updates.
• Other changes to domain registration information.

Important: What If an Existing Registrant Does Not Meet the Requirements?

CRA has confirmed that if an existing registrant does not satisfy the applicable eligibility requirements when verification is required, the registrar must delete the domain.

The domain will then enter the 30-day Redemption Period.

This is a significant consequence because a domain in redemption may no longer resolve, potentially interrupting associated websites, email and online services.

For existing domain owners, particularly those outside Qatar, we strongly recommend reviewing your eligibility before requesting changes to your registration.

An automatically renewed domain is not exempt from eligibility verification when subsequent modifications are requested.

What About DNS Records Managed Through an External Provider?

There is an important technical distinction between registry-level changes and ordinary DNS record management.

Changing your domain’s registered nameservers requires a registry transaction.

However, changing A, MX, TXT or CNAME records directly through an external DNS provider, without changing the registered nameservers, normally does not involve an EPP transaction at the registry.

CRA’s guidance refers broadly to DNS updates, and the precise regulatory treatment of every external DNS management scenario has not been separately specified.

Using an external DNS provider does not remove the registrant’s obligation to comply with applicable eligibility requirements.

5. New Domain Transfer Rules

The updated Domain Name Transfer Policy introduces several important changes.

Transfers Now Have a Five-Day Processing Window

The automatic inter-registrar transfer processing window increases from two to five calendar days, unless the transfer is accepted earlier.

Customers should plan their registrar transfers accordingly.

New 60-Day Transfer Restriction

A domain will generally not be eligible for an inter-registrar transfer within 60 calendar days of its initial registration or its most recent registrar transfer.

Mandatory One-Year Renewal With Transfers

Previously, .qa domains could be transferred between registrars without purchasing an additional registration year.

The new policy requires a mandatory one-year renewal with inter-registrar transfers.

While a separate transfer fee is not permitted, the gaining registrar may charge the applicable renewal fee.

QHost will apply the new mandatory renewal requirement to incoming transfers.

6. Registration and Renewal Grace Periods Extended

The updated policies extend two important registry grace periods.

Grace period	Previous policy	New policy
New registration Add Grace Period	3 days	5 days
Renewal grace period	3 days	5 days

The new five-day registration grace period also provides registrars with additional time to verify eligibility and reverse qualifying registrations.

Please note that registry cancellation and refund mechanisms do not automatically entitle customers to free cancellation or a full refund. QHost’s applicable terms and service charges continue to apply.

7. Automatic Renewal and the 45-Day Grace Period

The new registry platform introduces automatic renewal functionality.

When an existing domain reaches expiry, it enters the registry’s one-year automatic renewal process, which includes a 45-day auto-renew grace period.

During this period, the sponsoring registrar may delete the domain without incurring the corresponding registry renewal charge.

If the registration remains beyond the grace period, the applicable registry renewal charge is applied.

Does This Mean Domain Renewals Are Free?

No.

Automatic renewal is a registry-level technical and billing process. Customers must still pay their renewal invoices and comply with their registrar’s applicable payment deadlines and conditions.

An automatic registry renewal does not guarantee continued services without payment.

CRA has also recommended that registrars review the eligibility of existing registrants to avoid renewing domains that may subsequently require deletion because their registrants cannot satisfy the new requirements.

8. New 30-Day Redemption Period

The updated lifecycle introduces a new recovery process for qualifying deleted domains.

The lifecycle includes:

1. 30-day Redemption Period: The sponsoring registrar may request restoration, subject to applicable rules and fees.
2. One-day Pending Delete period: Following redemption, the domain enters its final deletion stage.
3. Permanent deletion: After Pending Delete, the domain becomes eligible for removal and eventual re-registration.

Domains in redemption may be removed from the DNS zone, causing associated websites and emails to become unavailable.

We strongly recommend renewing domains before their expiry dates rather than relying on redemption or restoration.

9. Restrictions on Selling, Renting or Leasing .qa Domains

Section 5.17.5 of the revised registration policy introduces an explicit restriction against selling, renting or leasing second-level .qa domain names to another party.

This affects domain investors, brokers, businesses and individuals considering domain resale or leasing arrangements.

Legitimate changes of registrant associated with business restructuring or other transactions must still satisfy the applicable registry ownership and eligibility requirements.

Customers should seek guidance before entering into commercial arrangements involving a .qa domain.

10. Changes to Other Qatar Domain Extensions

The revised policies also affect restricted Qatar extensions.

Extension	Applicable eligibility category
.qa	Approved commercial, trademark, individual, organizational, educational, government and other categories
.com.qa	Trade Licence or Trademark
.net.qa	Trade License/CR or Trademark
.name.qa	Qatar ID or Residency Permit
.قطر	Approved categories equivalent to second-level .qa

Other restricted domains remain subject to their applicable registration and administrative requirements.

The updated registration policy also no longer repeats the earlier explicit .com.qa local-hosting clause. However, customers should not interpret that omission alone as confirmation that all hosting-location obligations have been removed.

11. Information for Resellers and Technical Partners

The revised policies introduce additional responsibilities for domain resellers, hosting companies and technical service providers.

Partners should review:

• Eligibility verification and supporting-document collection.
• Secure document storage and retention.
• Registration workflows and the five-day Add Grace Period.
• New Eligibility Type information required by the registry.
• Transfer pricing, restrictions and processing windows.
• Renewal billing and automatic renewal reconciliation.
• Domain redemption and restoration.
• Eligibility checks before modifying existing registrations.
• Customer notifications and contractual terms.

The new registry platform currently uses approved Eligibility Type values for registrations and updates. Registrars must enter the values exactly as prescribed by CRA until the new dropdown selection facility is introduced.

Partners using WHMCS, reseller APIs or custom integrations should ensure their systems support the new requirements.

12. Scheduled Registry Migration and Maintenance

The Qatar Domains Registry has announced a full service maintenance window beginning:

22 October 2026 at 12:00 AM Qatar Time (UTC+3).

During the migration, registry transactions will be unavailable, including registrations, renewals, transfers, restorations and registry-dependent modifications.

QHost’s affected domain registration and management systems will also be unavailable during the maintenance window.

A confirmed completion time has not been announced.

Existing websites and email services are not expected to be interrupted solely because registry transactions are unavailable, provided the relevant DNS and hosting infrastructure continues to operate.

Customers should complete urgent domain operations before the migration begins.

13. What Should Existing Domain Owners Do?

We recommend that existing .qa domain owners:

1. Keep their domain renewal payments up to date.
2. Review their eligibility under the revised registration requirements.
3. Maintain accurate registrant and contact information.
4. Avoid unnecessary registration modifications if their eligibility is uncertain.
5. Prepare supporting documents where verification may be required.
6. Plan nameserver changes and registrar transfers in advance.
7. Contact QHost before requesting a modification if they are uncertain whether they qualify.

For an existing active domain with no pending modifications, the policy change does not itself require submitting a completely new registration application.

However, future changes may require verification, and unsuccessful verification can result in domain deletion.

14. QHost’s Commitment to Qatar’s Domain Community

As a CRA-accredited Qatar domain registrar, QHost is committed to supporting a smooth transition to the new registry platform.

We are updating our systems, internal procedures and customer guidance to reflect the revised policies and CRA’s latest clarifications.

We recognize that these changes have been introduced with limited advance notice and may create additional requirements for domain holders and reseller partners.

Our priority is to provide clear guidance, reliable services and a compliant registration experience.

Official Registry Policies

The updated Qatar Domains Registry policies are scheduled for publication on 21 October 2026 and will take effect on 22 October 2026.

Read the official Qatar Domains Registry policies

For domain assistance, visit QHost or contact our support team through your customer account.

QHost Technologies
CRA-Accredited Qatar Domain Registrar

Updated 21 October 2026 following the latest CRA clarification. This article summarizes registry policy changes for general information. The official Qatar Domains Registry policies and applicable CRA instructions take precedence.