How to Register a Homestay in India: State-wise Guide (2026)
Homestay registration in India happens at state level, with a voluntary national scheme where states have none. This guide compares the main state schemes, room limits and portals.
To run a homestay legally in India you register with your state tourism department under its homestay or bed-and-breakfast scheme. Most schemes require the owner to live on the property and cap the size at about 6 rooms. Where a state has no scheme, the Ministry of Tourism’s voluntary Incredible India Bed and Breakfast scheme applies, with registration on the NIDHI portal.
The national option: NIDHI and the Incredible India B&B scheme
- Voluntary scheme run by the Ministry of Tourism
- The owner must live on the premises with family
- 1 to 6 rooms (up to 12 beds)
- Classified as Gold or Silver after inspection, valid for 2 years
- Registration through nidhi.tourism.gov.in, which gives each unit a NIDHI ID
- Applies only where the state has no scheme of its own
State-wise comparison
| State | Scheme | Key conditions | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kerala | Homestay classification, Department of Tourism | Diamond, Gold or Silver after committee inspection; valid 3 years | keralatourism.org |
| Goa | Homestay and B&B Policy (2023, amended 2025) | Owner resides; registration before operating; fire and society NOCs added in January 2026 | goatourism.gov.in |
| Himachal Pradesh | HP Home Stay Rules, 2025 (notified 25 June 2025) | Silver, Gold or Diamond; up to 6 rooms or 12 beds; fees ₹3,000 to ₹18,000 by location; ₹1 lakh fine for unregistered units | HP Tourism e-services |
| Uttarakhand | Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Home-Stay scheme | Owner and family reside; 1 to 6 rooms; subsidy outside municipal areas | Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board |
| Karnataka | Homestay Registration Guidelines 2025 | Mandatory; owner or family resides; 1 to 6 rooms, up to 12 adults; valid 5 years; domestic utility rates | karnatakatourism.org |
| Rajasthan | Paying Guest House (Homestay) Scheme | Owner resides; small number of rooms (check the current cap) | tourism.rajasthan.gov.in |
| Sikkim | Registration of Homestay Establishment Rules | Run by the local owner; leasing to third parties not allowed | sikkimtourism.gov.in |
| Meghalaya | Chief Minister’s Homestay Mission | Subsidy support for new and upgraded homestays; land proof or lease required | invest.meghalaya.gov.in |
Documents you will usually need
- Proof of ownership or a long lease, and owner ID and address proof
- Photographs of rooms, bathrooms and the property
- Local body or panchayat details (some states have dropped NOCs; Goa has added fire and society NOCs)
- Fire safety arrangements and first aid
- FSSAI registration if you serve food
- GST registration once turnover crosses ₹20 lakh
After registration: the compliance checklist
- Display your registration certificate.
- Keep a guest register and follow your district’s police verification order.
- Report foreign guests on Form-III within 24 hours.
- Issue proper bills, with GST once registered.
- Renew on time: 2 to 5 years depending on the scheme.
NITI Aayog’s August 2025 report on homestays estimated the market at ₹4,722 crore in 2024, growing about 11% a year, with a shortfall of more than 200,000 rooms. Registration also makes your property eligible for state subsidies and tourism listings.
FAQs
Is homestay registration mandatory?
In states such as Goa, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, yes. The national NIDHI scheme is voluntary where a state has no scheme.
How many rooms can a homestay have?
Most schemes allow up to 6 rooms (about 12 beds), with the owner living on the property.
Do I need GST registration for a homestay?
Only once your turnover crosses ₹20 lakh a year (₹10 lakh in Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura).
Sources: Ministry of Tourism B&B guidelines; Karnataka Tourism; Kerala Tourism classification; Goa Tourism policy; Skift on the NITI Aayog report.
Last checked: 9 October 2026. Rules change; confirm anything that affects your filings with your CA, lawyer or the issuing authority. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.
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