Registering a .qa domain name

Who this is for

Businesses and organisations registered in Qatar, people who are Qatari citizens or residents, non-profits, schools and universities, and government bodies. Under the updated policy (version 3.0), an applicant for a .qa or .قطر name must meet the eligibility requirements for its own category, and gives the evidence to an accredited registrar. The same applies to the .com.qa, .name.qa and .org.qa endings.

Before you start

• The name you want, and a few alternatives in case it is taken. Names are given first come, first served.
• For a business: a valid trade licence or commercial registration issued in Qatar by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry or another competent authority, or being the registered holder of a trademark in Qatar.
• For a business: a valid, current official document from a competent government or regulatory authority in Qatar showing your legal status or your right to operate under the name that matches the domain.
• For an individual (.name.qa): a valid passport issued in Qatar, a valid Qatari ID, or a residency permit issued in Qatar to non-Qataris.
• A contact person for the domain. For an individual it must be you; for a company it must be a principal, an employee or a member of the organisation.

Steps

1. Check that the name is free

   Use the CRA’s domain availability check to see whether the name you want is already registered.

2. Choose the right ending

   Use .com.qa for a business registered in Qatar, .name.qa for a Qatari citizen or resident, and .org.qa for a non-profit. Plain .qa and .قطر names are for the people, businesses, government and organisations of Qatar, and follow the same eligibility rules for each category.

3. Pick an accredited registrar

   .qa, .com.qa, .name.qa and .قطر names are registered through registrars accredited by the CRA. The CRA publishes the list of accredited registrars.

4. Register and give your evidence

   Apply through the registrar’s own service and give the evidence your category requires. The registrar must check that your application meets the policy before sending it to the registry. Choose a registration period of up to 10 years.

5. For government, school and non-profit names, contact the CRA

   .gov.qa, .org.qa, .mil.qa, .edu.qa and .sch.qa are registered directly by the CRA, not through registrars. Write to registrars@domains.qa for the requirements and process.

Useful numbers and apps

• CRA domain registry (government and non-profit names) registrars@domains.qa Source
• Communications Regulatory Authority 103 Source

Good to know

• The updated Qatar Domains Registry policies came into effect on 22 October 2026, together with a new registry system. The CRA says they set clearer requirements to reduce domain misuse, identity impersonation and phishing.
• The longest you can register or renew a name for is 10 years. A renewal is accepted only if the new term plus the time left does not go over 10 years.
• A name that reaches its expiry date without being renewed is renewed automatically for one year. There is a 45-day grace period in which the registrar can delete it without the auto-renewal charge.
• After a name is deleted it stays in a 30-day redemption period, inactive, and the registrar can restore it for you during that time. Its website and email stop working while it is inactive.
• You may hold any number of names, but you may not sell, rent or lease a .qa name to another party. Holding a name does not give you intellectual property rights in it, and you must make sure it does not infringe anyone else’s rights.
• A .qa name does not make a website official. Government sites use .gov.qa, which only government bodies can register.

Common questions

Can anyone register a .qa domain?

Not any more in practice. Under the updated policy, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for their category: for example a business registered in Qatar, a Qatari citizen or resident, a non-profit, a school or a government body. Applications go through an accredited registrar. The CRA’s registrants web page still describes plain .qa as open to all, so confirm with your registrar.

What documents do I need to register a .com.qa domain?

A valid trade licence or commercial registration issued in Qatar, or proof that you hold a registered trademark in Qatar, plus a valid current official document from a competent authority in Qatar showing your right to operate under the name that matches the domain. You give the evidence to your registrar.

What do I need for a .name.qa domain?

You must be a Qatari citizen or a resident, and show a valid passport issued in Qatar, a valid Qatari ID, or a residency permit issued in Qatar to non-Qataris, to your registrar.

How long can I register a .qa domain for?

Up to 10 years, instead of the previous maximum of five. A renewal is accepted only if the new term plus the time left does not go over 10 years.

What happens if I forget to renew my .qa domain?

The name is renewed automatically for one year, with a 45-day grace period in which the registrar can delete it without the auto-renewal charge. If a name is deleted, it stays in a 30-day redemption period during which the registrar can restore it.

How do I register a .gov.qa or .org.qa domain?

These zones are for government and non-profit bodies in Qatar and are registered directly by the CRA, not through registrars. Write to registrars@domains.qa for the requirements and process.