Is registering a homestay in India mandatory?

Operating an unregistered homestay is legal in every Indian state. Registration becomes mandatory only when:

What about nidhi portal: the central registration walkthrough?

NIDHI (National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry) is the Ministry of Tourism's central registration system. The full walkthrough:

What about state-by-state registration guide?

The 8 states with active homestay schemes in 2026:

What about meghalaya homestay registration?

Authority: Meghalaya Tourism Department, in partnership with Meghalaya Rural Bank. Portal: State-level registration via the Tourism Department (megtourism.gov.in) alongside your NIDHI application. Documents required (in addition to NIDHI): No-objection certificate from the local Dorbar Shnong (village council) or municipal authority, fire safety self-declaration, land ownership or a 7-year+ notarised lease (Meghalaya land is largely community-owned under the Sixth Schedule; non-tribals can lease

What about sikkim homestay registration?

Authority: Sikkim Tourism and Civil Aviation Department. Portal: Apply via the Sikkim Department of Tourism office. NIDHI registration is also required. Documents required: Property ownership proof, NOC from village panchayat, photos, fire safety declaration. Approval timeline: 30 days. Subsidies: Sikkim has a state-level capital subsidy scheme for homestays in tourism circuits (Pelling, Ravangla, Gangtok, Lachung, Yuksom). Application separate from registration. Key note: Restricted-area permit

What about arunachal pradesh homestay registration?

Authority: Arunachal Tourism Department. Portal: Apply via the District Tourism Office in your district headquarters. NIDHI registration is also recommended. Documents required: Property documents + NOC from the Anchal Samiti or panchayat + Inner Line Permit awareness for foreign guests. Approval timeline: 45 days. In-person inspection common for first-time registrations. Subsidies: Arunachal runs a Homestay Tourism Promotion Scheme with capital subsidies and training programmes. Key note: Tawan

What about himachal pradesh homestay registration?

Authority: Himachal Pradesh Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation. Portal: https://homestay.hp.gov.in (state-specific portal, separate from NIDHI). Both required for full benefits. Documents required: Property ownership proof, NOC from Panchayat or municipal authority, property tax receipt, photos, fire safety self-declaration, declaration that the property is owner-occupied. Approval timeline: 30-45 days. Subsidies: Himachal's homestay scheme offers preferential utility rates (residential el

What about uttarakhand homestay registration?

Authority: Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board. Portal: https://homestay.uttarakhandtourism.gov.in (state-specific portal). Plus NIDHI. Documents required: Property documents, NOC from gram panchayat or nagar nigam, property tax receipt, photos, owner KYC. Approval timeline: 30 days. Subsidies: Uttarakhand offers tax breaks for homestays in tourism zones, preferential electricity / water rates, and capital subsidies under the Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Tourism Self-Employment Scheme (homestay

What about karnataka homestay registration?

Authority: Karnataka Department of Tourism. Portal: https://karnatakatourism.org → Homestay registration. Plus NIDHI. Documents required: Property documents, owner KYC, photos, panchayat or municipal NOC for properties in non-municipal areas. Approval timeline: 30-45 days. Subsidies: Karnataka's scheme provides marketing support and listing on the state tourism site for registered homestays. No direct capital subsidy as of 2026. Key note: Coorg, Chikmagalur, Sakleshpur, Hampi, Mysore, Gokarna ar

What about kerala homestay registration?

Authority: Kerala Tourism Department, under the "Approved Home Stay" classification scheme. Portal: https://keralatourism.org → Home Stay Classification. Plus NIDHI. Documents required: Property documents, fire NOC for properties above a certain threshold, food safety registration if you serve food, owner KYC, photos. Classification tiers: Kerala is one of the few states with a tiered classification - Diamond, Gold, Silver. Higher tiers require more amenities (private bathroom in every room, hot

What about madhya pradesh homestay registration?

Authority: Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, under the "Bed and Breakfast Establishment Recognition" scheme. Portal: Apply via MP Tourism Board offices. Plus NIDHI. Documents required: Property documents, owner KYC, photos, fire NOC, food safety if applicable. Approval timeline: 30 days. Subsidies: MP's scheme provides marketing support and ad-hoc training. No direct capital subsidy. Key note: Khajuraho, Orchha, Pachmarhi, Mandu, Maheshwar are the active homestay markets in MP.

What about other states without dedicated homestay schemes?

States without their own homestay schemes - Goa, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh - rely on NIDHI registration alone. Operating a homestay in these states is fully legal; you just don't get state-level subsidies or branding.

What about gst and tax framework for registered homestays?

Independent of which state you're in, the tax framework is national:

What about mudra loans for registered homestays?

Under the Union Budget 2025-26, MUDRA loans up to Rs 10 lakh are available for homestay businesses with no collateral required.

What's the maximum number of rooms a homestay can have?

The general limit across most state schemes is 6 rooms. NIDHI registration's "Bed & Breakfast / Homestay" category is intended for owner-occupied or owner-managed properties up to that size. Properties with more than 6 rooms typically register as "Hotel" or "Guest House" under separate state hotel rules.

Do registered homestays need fire NOC?

Most state schemes require a fire safety self-declaration rather than a formal fire NOC for homestays under 6 rooms. Properties above that, or those serving food commercially, often need a formal fire NOC. Hill stations and high-altitude properties may have additional fire safety requirements due to wood construction.

Can I run a homestay if I don't live on the property?

Most state schemes allow non-resident owners but require an on-site host (a relative, manager, or employee) physically present during guest stays. Himachal and Sikkim are stricter about owner-occupied use; Karnataka and Kerala are more flexible. Check your state.

Does the GST exemption apply automatically?

If your annual turnover is below the threshold, you don't need to register for GST. There is no automatic exemption certificate. If you cross the threshold mid-year, register within 30 days and start charging GST from that point.

Can foreign nationals stay in registered Indian homestays?

Yes, in most states. The standard requirement is filing Form C with the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 24 hours of check-in via the e-FRRO portal (https://indianfrro.gov.in/eservices/home.jsp). Restricted-area states (parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Nagaland, Mizoram) require additional Inner Line Permits or Restricted Area Permits for foreign guests. Registered homestays in these states get easier permit handling.

What if I want to run a homestay in addition to my regular job?

Homestay income is treated as business income separately from salaried income. As long as you stay below the GST threshold (Rs 20 lakh / Rs 10 lakh special category), there's no GST registration. You file an additional ITR-3 schedule with your regular income tax return. Many homestay owners run the operation as a side income while continuing day jobs - this is fully legal.

What about how to list your registered homestay on multiple otas?

Once registered, the next step is distribution. Listing your homestay on multiple OTAs simultaneously typically increases bookings 3-5x compared to a single platform. Three options:

What about don't have a property yet? build one designed to earn?

If you're starting from land rather than an existing house, registration isn't the first step, design is. A boutique stay designed from the ground up for guest demand (right room count, right amenities, right location logic) earns more per booking than a converted spare room, and it registers more smoothly once it's built around the state scheme's own preferences (Meghalaya's Sixth Schedule land rules, Himachal's owner-occupied requirement, and so on).

How do I register a homestay in India in 2026?

Register on the central NIDHI portal at https://nidhi.tourism.gov.in (free, online, 30-minute application). Choose the "Bed & Breakfast / Homestay" category. Submit property documents, ID proof, photos, and bank details. Most states return approval within 15-30 days. If your state has its own homestay scheme (Meghalaya, Sikkim, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Kerala, MP, Arunachal), apply separately on the state portal for additional benefits.

Is homestay registration free in India?

Central NIDHI registration costs Rs 500 - Rs 2,000 in most states; many states waive it entirely for homestays under a turnover threshold. State-level homestay registration is typically free or has a nominal Rs 1,000-3,000 fee. Total registration cost across central + state is usually under Rs 5,000.

Which states require homestay registration in India?

Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are the two states where state-level homestay registration is most strongly enforced for commercial use. Meghalaya, Sikkim, Arunachal, Karnataka, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh all have active state homestay schemes - registration is recommended for full benefits but not strictly required to operate. Goa, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and most other states rely on NIDHI registration alone.

Is the NIDHI portal mandatory for homestays?

NIDHI registration is the central Ministry of Tourism recognition. It's not legally mandatory to operate, but it's required to: use the "Incredible India - Bed & Breakfast / Homestay" branding, qualify for some state schemes, list on platforms that ask for the NIDHI number (MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip), and apply for MUDRA loans through certain banks. Recommended for any homestay in a tourism market.

Do I need GST registration for my homestay?

Only if your annual turnover exceeds Rs 20 lakh (Rs 10 lakh in special-category states: the Northeast, J&K, Ladakh, Himachal, Uttarakhand). Below the threshold, no GST registration and no GST charged on bookings. Above it, the standard rate is 5% without ITC for typical homestays.

How long does NIDHI homestay registration take?

The application takes 30 minutes online. Approval typically takes 15-30 days. Some states (Meghalaya, Himachal, Uttarakhand) include an in-person tourism-officer inspection that adds time but improves the registration's authority.

Can I get a MUDRA loan for a homestay in India?

Yes. The Union Budget 2025-26 expanded MUDRA loan eligibility to homestay businesses with up to Rs 10 lakh of collateral-free credit. Apply at any commercial bank, RRB, or MUDRA-partner microfinance institution. NIDHI registration is recommended (and required by some banks).

What's the difference between NIDHI and state-level homestay registration?

NIDHI is the central Ministry of Tourism's database; it gives you national recognition under the Bed & Breakfast / Homestay category. State-level registration (Meghalaya, Himachal, etc.) gives you state-specific benefits: subsidies, preferential utility rates, branding rights, and tourism-department referrals. Most homestays should do both.

Can I run a homestay without registering?

Yes, in most states it's legal to operate a homestay without formal registration as long as you pay applicable taxes (income tax always; GST if you cross the threshold). You forfeit access to government incentives, branding, lower utility rates, and platform partnerships that ask for a NIDHI number. For tourism-market homestays, registering is almost always worth the 30 minutes.

What documents are needed for homestay registration in India?

Property ownership proof (sale deed, lease deed, or property tax receipt), Aadhaar + PAN of the owner, address proof of the property, photos (exterior + every guest room + bathrooms + common areas), bank account details, and a property description (rooms, beds, baths, max guests, amenities). State schemes often add a panchayat or municipal NOC plus a fire safety self-declaration.

Ready to register and list your homestay?

Fursat handles the OTA-distribution side once your homestay is registered. We list your property on Airbnb, Booking.com, MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, Agoda, Expedia, and 60+ other platforms with one signup, calendar synced, free.

Journal/Homestay Guides

16 min read · 15 June 2026

Homestay Registration in India. State-by-State Guide (2026)

Step-by-step homestay registration in India: NIDHI portal, state schemes, GST exemption rules, MUDRA loans, and the rules each state actually enforces.