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Homestay registration in India: a step-by-step guide for owners

By , Managing Director, BitLegacy Solutions LLP · Last updated

There are two layers: your state and the Centre

In India, homestay rules are mostly set by each state or union territory. Most states with a homestay scheme ask you to register with the state tourism department. Some also grade homestays, for example as Silver or Gold.

At the national level, the Ministry of Tourism runs the NIDHI+ portal, where homestays can register. It also runs a voluntary classification scheme called Incredible India Bed & Breakfast / Homestay Establishments. According to the Ministry's guidelines, this central scheme applies in states and UTs that don't have their own approval or classification scheme.

So the order is: your state first, then NIDHI+, then central classification only if it applies to you. Rules, fees and documents vary by state and change over time. Always confirm with your state tourism department before you start taking guests.

Step 1: Check your state's homestay rules first

Kerala

According to Kerala Tourism, a resident of Kerala living in their own house can apply to the Director, Department of Tourism, to start a homestay if they set apart at least 1 room (2 beds) and at most 6 rooms (12 beds) for guests. Homestays are classified as Silver, Gold or Diamond. Each level has a checklist of "Necessary" and "Desirable" conditions, and all Necessary conditions must be met. Details: keralatourism.org.

Goa

Goa's Homestay Policy says a homestay must register with the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, before starting operations. For classification as a homestay, the owner or promoter and family live on the premises and let out a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6 rooms (12 beds). The first certificate is valid for one year, and the annual registration fee on the policy page is ₹1,000 (it may be revised). You can apply at Paryatan Bhavan, Patto, Panaji, or online on Goa Online, which lists the current documents. Re-check goatourism.gov.in before you apply.

Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand registers homestays under the Uttarakhand Tourism and Travel Business Registration Rules, 2026 (notified 5 June 2026). You apply on the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) website, and the district tourism office examines the application, normally within 60 days. A homestay must be in a Nagar Panchayat or rural area, owned by a permanent resident of Uttarakhand who lives there with family. It can have 1 to 8 rooms and no more than 24 beds. The registration fee is ₹1,000, and registration is valid for five years. You'll need a character certificate from the district administration (no older than six months) and an affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper. You must keep a visitor register with guest ID, show your QR-coded certificate in a common area, and upload guest numbers on the UTDB website by the 7th of each month. Running without registration attracts a ₹10,000 penalty plus ₹1,000 for every day it continues. Existing units have 180 days to register. Source: the Rules PDF on uttarakhandtourism.gov.in.

Uttarakhand also runs the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Griha Awaas (Homestay) scheme. It offers a capital subsidy of up to 25% (maximum ₹7.5 lakh) in the plains or 33% (maximum ₹10 lakh) in hill areas, plus half the loan interest for five years. The scheme's rules cover 1 to 6 guest rooms. Check the current terms with your District Tourism Development Officer.

Sikkim

Sikkim homestays register, and renew every year, online at tourismregistration.sikkim.gov.in (Sikkim SSO). Check fees and timelines on the portal.

Himachal Pradesh and other states

Himachal Pradesh handles homestay registration through the HP Tourism eServices portal. Its checklist for a home stay lists: the application form; revenue papers (Jamabandi and Tatima); a NOC from any co-sharer; photographs of the building and rooms with attached toilet; and an undertaking. Check current rules and fees on the portal.

Many other states have their own schemes too. Search for "[your state] tourism homestay registration" and use only the government (.gov.in or .nic.in) website. You can also visit your district tourism office.

Step 2: Register on NIDHI+ (Ministry of Tourism)

NIDHI+ (National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry) is the Ministry of Tourism's common platform for hospitality units, including homestays. You register online at nidhi.tourism.gov.in. The NIDHI+ guidelines page lists the documents to keep ready, and no registration fee is published there. Classification under Incredible India B&B / Homestay is a separate, paid step (see below).

Step 3 (optional): Incredible India B&B / Homestay classification

Who it is for

The Ministry of Tourism classifies B&B and homestay establishments in states and UTs that do not have their own scheme. Classification is voluntary. Under the guidelines, an establishment lets out 1 to 6 rooms (12 beds). A homestay is where the owner or promoter lives on the premises with family; a bed & breakfast is where the owner doesn't, but an agent or operator designated by the owner lives there to serve guests.

Silver and Gold categories and fees

The scheme has two categories, Silver and Gold. The Ministry guidelines list the application fee as Rs. 3,000 for Silver and Rs. 5,000 for Gold. Classification is valid for two years from the date of the order. A Regional Classification Committee inspects the property and assesses it against the checklist. Check the live fee on nidhi.tourism.gov.in before you pay.

Documents and checklist

According to the guidelines, the application includes:

  • The application form
  • A checklist of facilities, filled in online
  • Revenue papers showing ownership, or an affidavit if you are a co-sharer of the house or land
  • Whether clearance has been obtained from the police about the owners' antecedents
  • Photographs of the building, including the interiors and facilities
  • A signed undertaking

Common documents to keep ready

States differ, but owners are commonly asked for:

  • Proof of ownership or a lease agreement
  • An ID and PAN that match the owner's name
  • Photographs of the property
  • A police verification or character certificate

Treat this as a starting list only. Your state's official checklist is the final word.

After registration

  • Display your registration certificate if your state asks you to.
  • Keep a guest register with each guest's photo ID. Goa and Uttarakhand require this, and so does the central classification scheme. Check your own state's rule.
  • Note your renewal dates. Goa's first certificate lasts one year, central classification lasts two years, and Uttarakhand registration lasts five years.
  • Keep a copy of your certificate ready for booking sites. For example, MakeMyTrip asks for a registration or lease document if you have one (see how to list a homestay on MakeMyTrip).

Frequently asked questions

Is homestay registration mandatory in India?

It depends on your state. Goa, for example, requires registration with its Department of Tourism before you start operating, and Uttarakhand’s 2026 Rules set a penalty for running without registration. The Ministry of Tourism’s Incredible India classification is voluntary. Check with your state tourism department.

What is NIDHI+ and should I register my homestay on it?

NIDHI+ is the Ministry of Tourism’s national database for hospitality units, including homestays. Registration is online at nidhi.tourism.gov.in, and the portal’s guidelines page lists the documents. No registration fee is published there.

How many rooms can a homestay have?

It depends on your state. The Ministry of Tourism’s B&B/Homestay guidelines allow up to six rooms (12 beds). Kerala allows 1 to 6 rooms, Goa 2 to 6 rooms (12 beds), and Uttarakhand’s 2026 Rules allow 1 to 8 rooms with no more than 24 beds.

What does Incredible India Bed & Breakfast classification cost?

The Ministry of Tourism guidelines list Rs. 3,000 for Silver and Rs. 5,000 for Gold. Classification is valid for two years. Check the current fee on nidhi.tourism.gov.in before you pay.

Does the owner have to live in the homestay?

For a homestay, usually yes. The central guidelines, Kerala, Goa and Uttarakhand all expect the owner and family to live there. Under the central scheme, a property where the owner doesn’t live on site but a designated agent or operator does is classified as a Bed & Breakfast establishment instead.

After you register, do you need one place to manage stay requests and room calendars? BitLegacy's homestay software is built for owner-run homestays that sell by the room. It includes host-confirmed Stay Requests, a guest website and Manual WhatsApp Notify. See BitLegacy homestay software.

Sources

Official pages were checked on 17 October 2026. Rules, fees and screens change, so confirm with the official source before you apply.

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