How to Get Approved for the WhatsApp Business API in 2025

If you want to start WhatsApp chats as a business, or reply after 24 hours, you need to get approved for the WhatsApp Business API.

In this tutorial, I’ll explain what you need to know about getting WhatsApp Business approval. I will cover:

• What policies you need to be compliant with
• When you need to apply for the WhatsApp Business API
• And how to get the WhatsApp Business API approval

Let’s dive in!

Quick Recap of the WhatsApp Message Rules

To see if you need to apply for the WhatsApp Business API, we must first understand the message rules on WhatsApp.

Each time a user sends a message to your WhatsApp chatbot, a 24-hour window will open. Within this 24-hour window, you can send any message to the user, without constraints.

Also, it’s important to understand that the 24-hour resets every time the user sends a message.

Here is an example:

• User sends message to chatbot *24-hour window will open*
• User says nothing for 8 hours *There are 16 hours left in the 24-hour window*
• After 8 hours, the user sends another message *24-hour window will re-open*

Outside the 24-hour window, we cannot send any message and we need to use WhatsApp Message Templates.

WhatsApp Message Templates are a special type of message. They let you send messages outside the 24-hour window or start WhatsApp conversations as a business.

 

When Do You Need to Apply for the WhatsApp Business API?

So now we know what the 24-hour window is, we can determine if you need to apply for the WhatsApp Business API.

There are two kinds of conversations with WhatsApp automation:

• User-initiated conversations: when a user starts a conversation with your business. Then, your business has 24 hours to reply to that message (these 24 hours is called the “24-hour window”, as I explained above)
• Business-initiated conversations: when a business starts a chat with a user after the “24-hour window”.

If you only want to reply to user-initiated conversations within 24 hours, you don’t have to apply for the WhatsApp Business API.

But to send messages outside the 24-hour window or start WhatsApp chats, you need to get approved for the WhatsApp Business API.

To make it even easier for you, I created this cheatsheet:

 

What WhatsApp Policies Do You Need to Be Compliant With?

If you want to get approved for the WhatsApp Business API, you need to be compliant with three policies:

1. WhatsApp Business Solution Terms
2. WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy
3. Meta Commerce Policy

And below, I will shortly explain them one by one.

WhatsApp Business Solution Terms

This is a short document explaining all the different parties and rules that are involved. It includes the admin of your business account, third parties, and restrictions.

I would read through this document, but it is all pretty straightforward.

WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy

The WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy explains how to use your chatbot with WhatsApp. They want you to create a quality experience.

The rules of opting-in are the most important here. With WhatsApp chatbots, users can opt-in in two ways (so that you are allowed to message those users):

1. Someone gives their phone number + permission that they wish to receive messages or calls from your business
2. Someone starts a conversation with your business on WhatsApp

And you must stick to those rules in order to get WhatsApp Business Approval, because WhatsApp doesn’t want to become a “spam channel”, such as email.

This document also includes other things, such as that you need to comply with the law of your country and privacy of data. But again, it’s also really straightforward. So the most important thing here is that you can understand the rules of opting-in and are compliant with them.

Meta Commerce Policy

The WhatsApp Commerce Policy describes which products you cannot sell on WhatsApp. For example, these include adult content, alcohol and gambling.

You have many product categories that are not allowed on WhatsApp. And if you sell one of them, you aren’t eligible for WhatsApp Business API approval.

So, I just recommend reading through this document and determining whether you comply with this policy.

How to Get Approved for WhatsApp Business API by Verifying your Facebook Business

To get approved for the WhatsApp Business API, you need to verify your Facebook Business inside the Facebook Business manager.

Verifying your business means that you need to prove that your business is real and you are the owner of the business.

Here’s how you can get verified for the WhatsApp Business API in 5 simple steps:

1. Make sure your business is registered
2. Start the Business Verification Process in Facebook Business Manager
3. Select How you want to verify your business
4. Upload documents of the Chamber of Commerce
5. Verify your contact method

Step 1: Make Sure Your Business is Registered

To verify your Facebook business account, you must have an actual registered business. Without it, you cannot verify your Facebook business account.

Step 2: Start Business Verification in Facebook Business Manager

To verify your WhatsApp Business Account, you need to go to business.facebook.com and sign in with your Facebook account.

After logging in, select the Facebook Business Page you want to verify from the drop-down box on the top-left, then click the settings icon:

Once you are here, you need to select Business info and click on View Details (next to “Business verification status”):

Here is a section that says “Verification for [your page name]”. Click on Get started or Continue to start the verification process:

By the way: If you have opened this section or tried any verification before, the button will say “Continue” (like in the above screenshot). Otherwise, it will just say “Get started”. Both buttons will do exactly the same.

The next step is to select how you want to verify your business. I recommend going with Business details:

When you click on the button, a pop-up will open. To start the WhatsApp business verification process, just click on Get started:

Next, choose the country where your business is. For me, it’s the Netherlands. Then click Next:

Then, you need to fill in the information about your business and click on Next.

Step 3: Select How You Want to Verify Your Business

Now, select how you want to verify your business. You can choose from many options, but email, phone call, or text message are the easiest. Choose your verification method and click on Next:

Step 4: Upload Documents from the Chamber of Commerce

Now, Facebook will check if your business is listed in any register.

If your business name is in public registers, Facebook will show a list of businesses and you can just click on one. If not, you need to upload documents to Facebook to prove you own the business.

Facebook accepts several types of documents. Click on the dialog box to see what they accept. This can include:

• Business bank statement
• Incorporation certificate
• Business license
• Tax registration certificate

But I actually suggest uploading documents from the Chamber of Commerce.

I have used many documents for clients, but the Chamber of Commerce documents always work. So, I recommend using them for your legal name and address or phone number.

If you don’t have these documents, you can go to the Chamber of Commerce and ask for your business’s documents.  This will usually cost you a couple of bucks.

After you get the documents, upload them to Facebook and then click Next:

Step 5: Verify the Contact Method

The final step in the WhatsApp business verification process is to verify your email address (or your chosen method from Step 3). Just enter your email and click Send email:

Facebook will send a confirmation code to your email. Enter this code and then click Next:

Once your email is verified, you have completed the process!

Now, Facebook will usually take a couple of days to verify your business.

And when they are done with that, you will receive an automatic email confirmation.

What if I Cannot Start the WhatsApp Business Approval Process?

Your business may be ineligible for WhatsApp Business API verification and looks like this:

If you get this screen with your business, it means you are not using a product that needs verification.

If this is true for you, you probably don’t have a WhatsApp Business account (yet).

So what you need to do is install the WhatsApp Business App on your phone and create a WhatsApp Business Account.

Then after that, you need to go to WhatsApp accounts in the Business Manager and click on Add WhatsApp account:

Here, you need to fill in your phone number and click on Continue:

Now, WhatsApp will automatically send a code to that number so you can verify it. After this, you can start the Business verification.

By the way, if you want to use a chatbot platform in combination with WhatsApp, don’t use the steps. Rather, follow the steps in this tutorial:

 

Now It’s Your Turn

And that’s it, that’s how you can get approved for the WhatsApp Business API.

If you have any questions on how you can get approved for the WhatsApp Business API, please leave a comment below and I will reply as soon as possible.

 

Learn More About WhatsApp Automation

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get WhatsApp Business API approval?

You can get approval for the WhatsApp Business API in 5 simple steps:

1. Make sure your business is registered
2. Start the Business Verification Process in Facebook Business Manager
3. Select how you want to verify your business
4. Upload documents of the Chamber of Commerce
5. Verify your contact method

How long does the WhatsApp Business API approval process take?

On average, it takes between 2-15 working days before you get your WhatsApp approved. This is the time Meta takes to determine whether you comply with the WhatsApp Rules.

What is the difference between WhatsApp Business account and WhatsApp Business API?

WhatsApp Business is a more advanced version of WhatsApp. This version has tools designed specifically for small businesses. They include Business Profiles, quick replies, and basic automation tools.

The WhatsApp Business API is a more advanced version of WhatsApp Business. This version has tools designed for medium to large businesses. These businesses want to communicate at scale with their customers. The tools include chatbots, auto-sending promotional messages, and connecting WhatsApp to third-party tools.

What are the eligibility requirements to apply for the WhatsApp Business API?

To be eligible for the WhatsApp Business API, all that’s required is that you have a WhatsApp account.

What documents do I need to submit for WhatsApp Business API approval?

There are many documents you can use, but I recommend always going with the Chamber of Commerce, because that will always work. That’s the best way to get your WhatsApp approved.

What happens if my WhatsApp Business API account gets suspended?

If your account is suspended due to policy violations, you’ll need to address the issues and submit an appeal for reinstatement. Repeated violations may result in permanent account termination.

How can I avoid getting the “You do not have the necessary permissions required to send messages on behalf of this WhatsApp business account” error?

This error typically occurs when you try to send messages from an unauthorized WhatsApp Business API account. Make sure your account is properly verified and approved by WhatsApp before attempting to send messages.

Can I use my existing WhatsApp Business number for the API?

Yes, you can use it, but WhatsApp doesn’t recommend it. It’s better to use a new number and connect that to WhatsApp Business API to avoid any issues. [Enter] If you still want to use an existing WhatsApp Business number, first delete the app from the device linked to that number. Then, apply for the API.

How do I get my WhatsApp Business API account verified?

You can get your WhatsApp Business API account verified in 5 simple steps:

1. Make sure your business is registered
2. Start the Business Verification Process in Facebook Business Manager
3. Select how you want to verify your business
4. Upload documents of the Chamber of Commerce
5. Verify your contact method

Why do I see the message “Messaging may be unavailable. Review issue”?

This message usually means there’s a problem with your WhatsApp Business API account. For example, you broke a rule or didn’t verify your Business account. Check your account status in Meta Business Manager and check if you see any errors.