# Registering a .qa domain name

> Who can register a .qa or .قطر domain name under the CRA’s updated policy (in force since 22 October 2026), the documents your registrar will ask for, the 10-year maximum term, and how renewal and deletion work.

- Page: https://thestateofqatar.com/en/guides/register-qa-domain
- For: Businesses, Residents, Citizens
- Topic: Business and work
- Where: Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA)
- Last checked: 2026-11-03

## 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.

## Cost

The policy mentions registration and renewal fees but does not state amounts, and the CRA’s page for registrants lists none. Ask your accredited registrar for its price.

## 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.

## Useful numbers and apps

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

## Official links

- [CRA: who can register a .qa domain](https://www.cra.gov.qa/en/Regulatory-Framework/Domain-Management/Registrants)
- [CRA: check domain availability](https://www.cra.gov.qa/en/Services/Domains/Check-A-Domain)
- [CRA: accredited registrars](https://www.cra.gov.qa/en/Services/Domains/Accredited-Registrars)
- [CRA: Internet Domain Policy](https://www.cra.gov.qa/en/Law-and-Regulations/Policies-and-Strategy/Internet-Domain-Policy)
- [CRA: updated Qatar Domains Registry policies](https://www.cra.gov.qa/regulatory-framework/domain-management/qatar-domains-registry-policies)
- [CRA: Domain Name Registration, Expiry, Renewal and Deletion Policy (PDF)](https://www.cra.gov.qa/-/media/Feature/Domain-Registry-Policies/Domain-Name-Registration-Expiry-Renewal-and-Deletion-PolicyV2.ashx)

## Sources

- https://www.cra.gov.qa/en/Regulatory-Framework/Domain-Management/Registrants
- https://www.cra.gov.qa/en/Services/Domains/Check-A-Domain
- https://www.cra.gov.qa/en/Services/Domains/Accredited-Registrars
- https://www.cra.gov.qa/en/Law-and-Regulations/Policies-and-Strategy/Internet-Domain-Policy
- https://www.cra.gov.qa/
- https://www.cra.gov.qa/regulatory-framework/domain-management/qatar-domains-registry-policies
- https://www.cra.gov.qa/-/media/Feature/Domain-Registry-Policies/Domain-Name-Registration-Expiry-Renewal-and-Deletion-PolicyV2.ashx