What about the scheme, in plain facts?

Authority: Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal. Applications go to the District Magistrate of the district where the property sits.

What about fees and categories?

Units are scored on a facilities checklist and classified as:

What about how to apply, and the timeline?

1. Apply online on the state homestay portal (www.wbhomestaytourism.gov.in is the address named in the policy), with the fee paid by the prescribed mode. The policy says demand draft in favour of the District Magistrate is accepted until GRIPS challan payment is live. 2. Scrutiny: online applications are checked within 7 working days. Missing documents are flagged through the portal. 3. Inspection: by a committee set up by the District Magistrate, within 15 days of a complete application. 4. Cla

What about validity, renewal and records?

- Valid for 3 years. Apply to renew within 6 months of expiry. An inspection happens before renewal. A late renewal inside 3 months carries a Rs 100 penalty. - Guest ledger: update at check-in and check-out, and no later than 12 hours after a guest arrives or leaves. - Foreign guests: submit Form C within 24 hours of arrival. - ID copies: keep valid government photo ID copies for guests as the law requires. - Penalties: a first lapse gets a written warning. A repeat inside 12 months can mean Rs

What about what this means for darjeeling, kalimpong and kurseong owners?

Many hill-station guesthouses sit inside municipal limits. Under this policy those are urban, so a new homestay registration is not available there. Check with the District Magistrate whether your plot falls under a Gram Panchayat or a municipality before you spend on an application. Properties in village areas around Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong are the ones the scheme is built for.

Can I register a homestay inside Darjeeling or Kalimpong town?

Under the 2026 policy text, fresh homestay registration in urban areas is not allowed, and urban host-led stays are pointed to a separate Bed and Breakfast policy. Whether your plot counts as rural or urban is decided by the Revenue and Panchayat departments, so confirm with your District Magistrate's office.

How many rooms can a West Bengal homestay have?

Between 1 and 8 guest rooms, each with an attached bathroom. A property with more than 8 rooms must apply under another accommodation category.

How much does registration cost?

Rs 1,000 for Category A (Gold) and Rs 500 for Category B (Silver), non-refundable if you are disqualified.

How long is the registration valid?

Three years. Renewal is applied for within 6 months of expiry and involves an inspection.

Do I still need NIDHI?

Yes, we recommend registering on the central NIDHI portal as well. The state scheme and NIDHI are separate registrations.

What about once you are registered?

Registration makes you legal. Distribution makes you earn. Fursat lists your home and keeps your calendars in sync across the major booking sites. Start at /list-your-property, or read how the free channel manager works first. If you manage calendars yourself, our iCal sync guide explains the setup and its limits.

Journal/Homestay Guides

5 min read · 6 October 2026

West Bengal Homestay Registration Guide (2026)

West Bengal's 2026 homestay policy is rural-only, caps a homestay at 8 rooms, and charges Rs 1,000 (Gold) or Rs 500 (Silver). Here is the process, the timelines, and the rules owners miss.

Sneha Surana

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