---
id: "f81d737f-0d71-43d4-99a9-e4c42a332ebb"
kind: "link"
title: "Qatar limits who can register .qa domains and tightens transfer and renewal rules from October 2026"
language: "en"
section: "cctld"
date: "2026-10-19T09:32:58Z"
updated: "2026-10-21T18:19:21Z"
canonical: "https://tldlog.com/l/qatar-limits-who-can-register-qa-domains-tightens-transfer/"
origin: "master"
translations:
  es: "https://tldlog.com/es/l/catar-limita-quien-puede-registrar-dominios-qa-endurece/"
  de: "https://tldlog.com/de/l/katar-begrenzt-wer-qa-registrieren-darf-verschaerft-transfer/"
  fr: "https://tldlog.com/fr/l/qatar-restreint-enregistrement-noms-qa-durcit-regles/"
  it: "https://tldlog.com/it/l/qatar-limita-chi-puo-registrare-domini-qa-inasprisce-regole/"
  pt-BR: "https://tldlog.com/pt/l/catar-limita-quem-pode-registrar-dominios-qa-endurece-regras/"
  ru: "https://tldlog.com/ru/l/katar-ogranichivaet-registratsiyu-domenov-qa-uzhestochaet/"
  zh-Hans: "https://tldlog.com/zh/l/qatar-limits-who-can-register-qa-domains-tightens-transfer/"
source:
  name: "QHost"
  url: "https://qhost.qa/qatar-qa-domain-policy-changes-october-2026/"
  language: "en-US"
  date: "2026-10-14T11:24:00Z"
---

# Qatar limits who can register .qa domains and tightens transfer and renewal rules from October 2026

## in plain words

Qatar is changing the rules for .qa domain names, the web addresses that end in .qa, from 22 October 2026. Many new names will be limited to certain groups, such as Qatari citizens and residents, local companies and schools. Moving a name to another seller will take longer and may cost more.

The Qatar Domains Registry (QDR), which the Communications Regulatory Authority operates, has set a new group of domain name policies that take effect on 22 October 2026. The rules change how .qa names are registered, transferred, renewed and managed, and they apply to individual holders, businesses, registrars, resellers and hosting providers. QHost Technologies, a CRA-accredited .qa registrar, says it is informing its customers about the changes.

Eligibility is the most significant change. Until now, .qa names could be registered by individuals and businesses anywhere in the world, with no residency, company registration or physical presence in Qatar required. Under the revised policy, which QHost cites as Section 5.17, second-level registrations are limited to defined applicant groups: commercial businesses subject to commercial registration or trademark requirements, ICT companies and service providers, individuals who are citizens or residents of Qatar, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and government and military entities. The provisions refer to requirements already set for restricted extensions such as .com.qa, .net.qa and .name.qa. The new version no longer explicitly permits unrestricted registration by applicants worldwide, so foreign applicants will need to check the criteria before registering. The policy does not state that existing internationally registered names are automatically cancelled or revoked. QHost advises existing holders to keep registrant details accurate and registrations active, and says no new application is needed only because of the update.

Transfers change in three ways. The registrar transfer window rises from two calendar days to five, unless the transfer is accepted earlier. A new restriction bars transfers within 60 calendar days of a domain's initial registration or its most recent transfer between registrars. Each inter-registrar transfer must also include a mandatory one-year renewal payable to the gaining registrar. Registrars cannot charge a separate transfer fee but may charge customers for that renewal. QHost says it will stop offering free zero-year transfers.

Grace periods for new registrations and renewals extend from three days to five days. Grace periods let registrars reverse eligible transactions under the registry's conditions. QHost notes that grace periods do not guarantee refunds, which remain subject to registrar terms, and that it charges a service fee for cancellation and refund requests.

The policy also introduces a 30-day redemption period for domains deleted outside the initial grace period, during which the sponsoring registrar can request restoration. It is followed by a one-day Pending Delete period, after which the domain becomes eligible for permanent removal from the registry and re-registration.

Source: [QHost](https://qhost.qa/qatar-qa-domain-policy-changes-october-2026/)

## also covered by

- [qhost.qa](https://qhost.qa/qatar-qa-domain-policy-faq-2026/) (in English)
- [Domain Name Wire](https://domainnamewire.com/2026/10/21/qa-domains-get-new-restrictions-change-your-nameservers-now/) (in English)