Form C for foreign guests in India: what hotels and homestays must track
By Captainjeet Kaur, Managing Director, BitLegacy Solutions LLP · Last updated
Who has to file Form C
According to FRRO, hotels, guest houses, homestays, and other accommodations in India report foreign national guests through Form C, filed online at indianfrro.gov.in/frro/FormC. It applies to foreign nationals only — Indian citizens do not need a Form C entry.
Airbnb's own help article for hosts in India also points hosts to local registration and reporting requirements for foreign guests; see Airbnb Help: Laws and regulations for Hosts in India. Booking.com's partner guidance for hosting foreign nationals in India covers similar ground. Check both platforms' current help pages, since requirements and screens can change.
What to collect at check-in
Before a foreign guest checks in, collect:
- Passport number, nationality, and passport validity
- Visa number, visa type, and visa validity
- Arrival details into India
Collecting this at check-in, rather than chasing the guest for it later, is the single biggest time-saver for Form C filing.
Filing in the official field order
When you file on the FRRO portal, use the field order the portal itself presents — don't guess at a different layout. If your front desk prints a Form C worksheet for staff, print it in that same official field order so whoever fills the portal screen isn't re-mapping fields by memory.
After you file: keep the acknowledgement
Once FRRO accepts a Form C submission, keep the acknowledgement reference for your records. If a Form C review ever comes up — for example during a monthly compliance check — having the acknowledgement number against each foreign guest stay saves you from re-checking the portal.
How BitLegacy helps
BitLegacy's Form C workflow is built around the paperwork, not the filing itself:
- Passport and visa fields are required at check-in when the guest is marked non-Indian.
- A Form C draft is created automatically, with a due date set 24 hours after check-in.
- A Form C tab on the Compliance page lists due and overdue entries so nothing is missed.
- An hourly reminder flags items coming due or already overdue.
- You can print the worksheet in the official field order for the front desk.
- Once filed, mark the entry submitted and record FRRO's acknowledgement number.
- A monthly Form C review shows on your compliance calendar as a recurring check-in point.
This keeps your front desk organised for Form C — the actual filing with FRRO is still done by your team on indianfrro.gov.in.
Also see the Compliance Calendar for license and filing due-date reminders beyond Form C, and homestay registration in India if you haven't registered your property yet. Still shortlisting a PMS? See our best hotel management software in India roundup.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form C?
Form C is the report hotels, homestays, and other accommodations in India file with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) / Bureau of Immigration for a foreign national guest. It is filed online at indianfrro.gov.in.
Does Form C apply to Indian guests?
No. Form C is for foreign nationals staying at your property. Indian guests do not need it.
What details does a property need from a foreign guest?
Passport and visa details are the core information FRRO asks for when you report a foreign guest. Collect these at check-in so you are not scrambling to file later.
Can BitLegacy file Form C with FRRO for me?
No. BitLegacy tracks the paperwork — it prompts for passport/visa fields at check-in, creates a draft with a due date, and lists it with due/overdue status so your team doesn’t miss filing. The actual submission on indianfrro.gov.in, and recording FRRO’s acknowledgement number once it is accepted, is still your property’s responsibility.
Hosting foreign guests and want fewer missed filings? BitLegacy prompts for passport/visa details at check-in for non-Indian guests, auto-creates a Form C draft with a due date, and shows a due/overdue list on the Compliance page so nothing slips through. Start a free trial or see pricing.
Sources
Official pages were checked on 29 October 2026. Rules, fees and screens change, so confirm with the official source before you apply.