Who can register a homestay in Sri Lanka?

This is worth stating plainly and up front, because it's a hard eligibility gate, not a formality: SLTDA's own Registration Guidelines for Homestays state that the owner of every homestay shall be a Sri Lankan by birth. This is listed as the first of only four basic requirements owners must meet, alongside registering with SLTDA, maintaining the property to SLTDA's standards, and displaying the registration certificate. There's no exception documented in SLTDA's guidelines for foreign nationals,

What about the three homestay categories?

SLTDA recognises three sub-categories under its Home Stay Programme:

What about what sltda actually inspects?

SLTDA's revised guidelines (developed with the Asian Development Bank) lay out specific, checkable standards. The essential ones:

What about step-by-step: how to register?

Step 1. Apply online. Go to SLTDA's website and use the "Register With Us" link (the Online Tourism Business Licensing Service, accessible via sltda.gov.lk) to submit your application under the "HomeStay Provisional" category.

What about how booking works once you're registered?

SLTDA lists every registered homestay in its own accommodation guide and website directory. Guests find you there and contact you directly to book - SLTDA is a facilitator and directory, not a booking intermediary, so managing the actual reservation (confirming dates, collecting a deposit, handling payment) is on you. SLTDA's own guidance suggests a deposit of no more than 20% to secure a booking, with the balance collected before departure.

What about how fursat can help?

Fursat runs a verified, WhatsApp-first booking platform for homestays across Northeast India and the Himalaya, and we're extending into Sri Lanka's hill country and coast now - geography and a traveller base that overlaps closely with what we already know. If you're a Sri Lankan citizen who's registered (or registering) a homestay, message us on WhatsApp and we'll talk through what getting listed and reaching real guest inquiries looks like.

Can a foreigner own or register a homestay in Sri Lanka?

No - SLTDA's registration guidelines require the owner of every homestay to be a Sri Lankan by birth. This is stated as a basic requirement with no documented exception. A different accommodation category (guest house, hotel) may be the relevant path for a foreign-owned property; that's a separate registration process with SLTDA.

How long does homestay registration take in Sri Lanka?

SLTDA's Standards and Quality Assurance Division typically inspects the property within about 30 days of application, with approval following once the inspection and fee payment are complete. Total time from application to certificate varies by case.

How many bedrooms can a Sri Lankan homestay have?

A Home Stay Unit can have a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 4 guest rooms. A single room must be at least 100 sq ft and a double room at least 120 sq ft.

Is there a registration fee for homestays in Sri Lanka?

Yes, a nominal fee plus applicable taxes (NBT/VAT). The exact amount has changed across recent years in public sources, so confirm the current fee directly through SLTDA's online portal rather than an older published figure.

Do I need to keep guest records for a homestay in Sri Lanka?

Yes - it's a statutory requirement to maintain a Guest Registration Book with each guest's name, address, passport or NIC number, arrival and departure dates, and next destination.

Journal/Homestay Guides

6 min read

How to Start a Homestay in Sri Lanka. SLTDA Registration Guide (2026)

Starting a homestay in Sri Lanka: the SLTDA registration process, the Sri-Lankan-by-birth ownership requirement, property standards, required documents, and how to get your first booking.

A hill-country village and tea plantation in Sri Lanka, the kind of setting where most registered homestays are concentrated

Yogesh Bansal

Co-founder at Fursat, and a host himself for 10 years.

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