To register a guest house with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), apply online as a "Tourist Guest House", upload your business registration, building approval, environmental clearance, insurance and fire certificate, pay the admin fee, pass an inspection and then pay the registration and licence fee. SLTDA's published total fees are about LKR 31,000 to 37,500, depending on grade and number of rooms.
Why register?
- It is the legal way to run tourist accommodation as a business.
- Registered properties can be promoted through official tourism channels.
- Partners, tour operators and many guests look for it.
- The Asian Development Bank has urged that homestays be brought into SLTDA registration (Daily Mirror).
Documents you need
SLTDA's document list for guest houses includes (SLTDA):
- Business registration (and company forms and a board resolution for the trade name, if you are a limited company)
- An approved building plan, or a consent letter from the local authority or UDA
- Environmental clearance, or a consent letter from the Central Environmental Authority or relevant authority
- Public liability insurance
- Workmen's compensation insurance
- A fire protection certificate
- Optional: a trade licence, and the deed, lease or a consent letter for the land
Step-by-step process
- Apply online on the SLTDA website under Tourist Guest House. SLTDA confirms your application and gives you a login to upload documents.
- Pay the admin fee by bank deposit or card. Validation takes about two days.
- An inspection is arranged, usually within a month. Submit hard copies certified by an attorney-at-law or Justice of the Peace.
- If the inspection is successful, pay the registration and licence fee. If not, you are told what to fix.
- Collect your licence and registration certificate.
Published fees
SLTDA's table, including SSCL and 18% VAT, lists:
| Grade | Rooms | Total fee (LKR) |
|---|---|---|
| A grade | 1 to 10 | 33,887.18 |
| A grade | 11 or more | 37,517.95 |
| B grade | 1 to 10 | 32,434.87 |
| B grade | 11 or more | 33,887.18 |
| C grade or B&B | 1 to 10 | 30,982.56 |
| C grade or B&B | 11 or more | 32,434.87 |
Each total includes an admin fee of LKR 12,102.56. Fees and taxes change, so confirm the current amounts with SLTDA before paying.
After registration
- Renew your registration on time.
- Add your registration number to your website, Booking.com and Airbnb listings where relevant.
- List your property on Google Business Profile so travellers find you on Maps.
- Build direct bookings through your own website. See our tips on getting more bookings.
Getting ready for the inspection
- Rooms clean, with working lights, fans or air conditioning, and hot water where expected
- Bathrooms clean, with ventilation and safe wiring
- Fire extinguishers in place and staff who know where they are
- A guest register and clear house rules
- First-aid kit and emergency numbers displayed
- Your documents organised and certified copies ready
A realistic timeline
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1 to 4 | Collect business registration, insurance and local approvals |
| After submission | Admin fee validated in about two days |
| Within about a month | SLTDA inspection |
| After a successful inspection | Pay registration and licence fee, collect certificate |
Approvals from the local authority, environmental authority and fire service set the pace, so start them first.
How Halcent can help
Once your guest house is registered, Halcent can build the website that brings direct bookings: room pages with real photos and rates, a booking request form, Google Maps setup and an AI assistant that answers guests at any hour and sends enquiries to your WhatsApp. Ask for a free demo design of your property.
Summary of SLTDA's published guest house requirements for general information. Confirm the latest rules with SLTDA.
Frequently asked questions
How much does SLTDA guest house registration cost?
SLTDA’s published table shows totals of about LKR 31,000 to 37,500 including taxes, depending on the grade and number of rooms. Confirm current fees with SLTDA.
Do homestays need SLTDA registration?
Tourist accommodation run as a business is expected to be registered, and authorities have encouraged homestay owners to register.
How long does SLTDA registration take?
It depends on your approvals. After the admin fee is validated, an inspection is usually arranged within about a month.