Doha:The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has announced the enforcement of updated policies for the Qatar Domains Registry, effective October 22, 2026. These updates are designed to enhance the security and reliability of Qatar's national domain names, specifically .qa and (قطر.), in an effort to mitigate risks associated with fraud and identity impersonation.

According to Hukoomi, the updated policies include significant changes such as extending the maximum domain registration period from five to ten years and refining eligibility criteria. Domain registration is now restricted to Qatari companies, holders of trademarks registered in Qatar, and Qatari citizens and residents. This move aims to bolster the protection of digital assets for companies.

The CRA anticipates that the revised policies will contribute to the growth of the digital economy by simplifying processes related to domain registration, management, transfer, and renewal. Additionally, these changes are expected to enhance the confidence of investors and companies in using national domain names as reliable business tools.