.QA

Introduced	1996
Country	Qatar
Registry	Internet Qatar
IDN Capable	Yes
Webpage	Register .QA

Registry

TLD	-
Registry	Qatar Domains Registry
Dispute Policy	Rules
Registrar	1api GmbH
WHOIS-Server	whois.registry.qa
WHOIS-Update	Non Real-Time
Min. Characters	2
Max. Characters	63
Character Set	Letters and numbers Hyphens ("-"), however not at the beginning or directly in front of the TLD IDN: not allowed
Limitations	Registrant Contacts: Required: 1 / Maximum: 1 Admin Contacts: Required: 0 / Maximum: 1 Tech Contacts: Required: 1 / Maximum: 1 Billing Contacts: Required: 0 / Maximum: 1
{{{Possible Extensions}}}
IDN capable	YES
Restore capable	Real-Time
Handle Updates	Supported
Registration System	Real-Time
Allowed number of NS	0 to 13
Host IP-Addresses Type	IPv4 / IPv6
Hosts managed as	Object
SEC DNS Interface	KEY data interface
Transferclass	Pull
Transfer Periods	1Y,0Y
Transfer Authcode required	Yes
Transfer Real-Time	No
Transfer Pending Period	2 days
Transfer Expire Action	ACK
Transfer ACK by	Registrar
Transfer NACK by	-
Transfer Lock	No
Owner Change by	Update

Periods

{{{Possible Extensions}}}
Registration Periods	1-5 years
Add Grace Period	0 days
Accounting Period	-1 week
Finalization Period	-1 day
Failure Period	29 days
Payment Period	-61 days
Deletion Restorable Period	1 day
Deletion Hold Period	1 day
Explicit Renewals	Yes
Renewal Periods	1-5 years

API

Domain Registration

Domains can be registered in Real-Time with the API AddDomain command.

command = AddDomain
domain  = (DOMAIN)

REQUIRED

ownercontact0 = (CONTACT)
techcontact0 = (CONTACT)
nameserver0 = (NAMESERVER)
nameserver1 = (NAMESERVER)

OPTIONAL

admincontact0 = (CONTACT)
billingcontact0 = (CONTACT)
auth = <TEXT> | <NULL>
transferlock = 0 | 1 | <NULL>
subuser = <TEXT> | <NULL>

Domain Transfer

The transfer has to be initiated by the gaining registrar and can be requested with the API TransferDomain command.
A valid Authorization Code must be provided to initiate a transfer successfully. You may obtain the authorization code from the losing registrar.
As soon as a domain transfer has been initiated it can either be approved ("ACK") by Registrar or denied ("NACK") by -. If the registry receives neither a denial ("NACK") nor an approval ("ACK") the transfer will be ACKed after 2 days.

command = TransferDomain
domain = (DOMAIN)

REQUIRED

action = REQUEST | APPROVE | DENY | CANCEL | USERTRANSFER
auth = <TEXT>

OPTIONAL

order = CREATE | REPLACE | UPDATE

subuser = <TEXT> | <NULL>
period = <PERIOD>
transferlock = 0 | 1 | <NULL>

Delete Domain

Domains can be deleted with the API DeleteDomain command.
There is a Deletion Restorable Period of 1 day and a following Deletion Hold Period of 1 day.

command = DeleteDomain
domain = (DOMAIN)

REQUIRED

n/a

Restore Domain

Restores can be processed in realtime. A restore is possible within 1 day upon deletion. Please use the command RestoreDomain.

command = RestoreDomain
domain = (DOMAIN)

REQUIRED

n/a

OPTIONAL

renewalmode = <NULL> | <TEXT>
subuser = <TEXT>

Ownerchange

An Ownerchange is free of charge and can be done with the API ModifyDomain command.

TLD specific

Starting March 1st 2024, we will introduce Contact Verification to validate the Registrant Contact Information. Registrant Verification

Domain Restrictions

It isn't allowed to use words or abbreviations that are contrary to The Qatari Law or Islamic morality!

The Qatar Domains Registry reserves the right to reject or refuse any Application for a Domain Name, or cancel or suspend any Domain Name which has been Registered that in the Qatar Domains Registry's opinion intentionally or unintentionally, is, or may be considered to:

1. violate public morality or is contrary to public order or is against a religion or a religious character; 2. deceive the public; 3. be involved with illegal or fraudulent activities; 4. be prejudicial to the interest or security of the State of Qatar; 5. be names of governmental organisations; 6. be names of well-known persons (unless permission has been obtained in advance from the well known person concerned); 7. correspond to trademarks or service marks of a third party (unless permission has been obtained in advance from the third party); 8. correspond to any other word or name that the Qatar Domains Registry adds or is directed to add to the list of reserved words from time to time.

This does include a prohibition of gambling.

RegistrarOC

Restore Process

To restore a domain as a RegistrarOC customer, you simply have to execute the RestoreDomain command. HEXONET directly forwards the restore request to the registry, which performs the restore in real-time. As soon as the restore is complete, the domain will get assigned to your account with the original domain data.

Please do not initiate a restore directly at the registry (e.g. using the registrar webinterface). All restore operations must be performed through our system.