How To Apply For WhatsApp Business API

Requirements & API Form | Display Name & Phone Number Rules

Requirements and WhatsApp Business API Form

1.What are the pre-requisite to apply for WhatsApp Business API?

There are majorly 2 requirements to apply for WhatsApp Business API apart from the business should be registered:

1. Verified FB Business Manager ID

2. A fresh phone number on which WhatsApp Business API will be procured. Fresh Number implies that the number shouldn’t be registered on any WhatsApp App at the moment.

2.How to apply for WhatsApp Business API?

There is an application form for WhatsApp Business API. One just needs to fill that on behalf of the company. Click here for the WhatsApp Business API application form.

3.Are there any restrictions on some companies applying WhatsApp Business API?

Yes, there are some companies that are restricted to procure the WhatsApp Business API. These are essentially those companies that deals in illegal products & services, unsafe indigestible supplements, alcohol etc. Check the complete document in WhatsApp Legal Commerce Policy here.

4.How to get FB Business Manager ID verified?

Login to the FB account which has admin access to the FB Business Manager account. Visit this link and select the Business Manager (in case you have multiple Business Manager) which has the company’s page. Click on the “Start Verification” button under the Business Verification section and complete the verification process by providing details of the company. All the details that will be filled in this form are not at all related to the WhatsApp Business API. It’s just for the FB Business Manager. They both are mutually exclusive.

5.How long it takes to get the FB Business Manager ID verified?

It usually takes 2–5 days to get the FB Business Manager ID-verified. If there is some problem in the application form then FB updates you regarding that so you can correct it. FB usually matches the company details & documents with the company presence on FB and Google.

6.What’s FB Business Manager and how to create one?

Facebook Business Manager is a tool that allows you to manage multiple Facebook Pages, business assets and ad accounts, as well as Instagram accounts and product catalogues, in one place. Visit this link to create a FB Business Manager Account.

7.What if the “Start Verification” button is inactive?

To activate this button, you need to create an app for the FB Business Manager. Go to this link and select “Get Started” from the menu bar. After that create an app by clicking on the “Create App” button. Once done, go back to the verification page and refresh. This will activate the “Start Verification” button.

Display Name Rules

1.What is a display name?

The display name is the name that your users can see once they open your WhatsApp Business API account profile. It is similar to any name we assign for our WhatsApp Apps.

2.How to select a display name?

The display name should have a relationship with your business and should not violate the WhatsApp Commerce & Business policies. Check here for complete details. The display name should abide by all these rules otherwise the display name gets rejected.

3.Can I change the Display Name anytime?

No, Once a display name is approved, it can not be changed.

4.Will the same display name goes in the Green Tick form?

Yes, the green tick is assigned with the same display name. Hence, it’s really important to choose the Display Name wisely.

5.Can the display name be specific to any department of the company?

Yes, it can be specific to a particular department(s) of the company such as Finance, Sales, Customer Support, etc.

Phone Number Rules

1.Are international Phone Numbers are accepted for WhatsApp Business API?

Yes. The phone number could be of any country provided Facebook allows WhatsApp Business API working in those countries. The countries that are WhatsApp excludes from communicating are Crimea (+7978), Cuba (+53), Iran (+98), North Korea (+850) and Syria (+963).

WhatsApp does not allow businesses in these countries to take advantage of WhatsApp Business API. Likewise, WhatsApp end-users with numbers from these countries will not be able to send or receive messages from businesses on WhatsApp. This restriction is based on the user’s WhatsApp number, not their current location.

2.Can I change the phone number anytime for my WhatsApp Business API?

No. Once a number is registered on WhatsApp Business API, that number can’t be changed. You’ll have to apply for a new WhatsApp Business API if you need to change the number.

3.Can I register the same number on the WhatsApp Apps?

No, the number which is active on WhatsApp Business API can not be registered on WhatsApp Apps. Also, if a number is already registered on WhatsApp Apps and you want to get the API on the same number, then the WhatsApp account must be deleted from that number. Deleting the app is not mandatory, the account must be deleted.

4.Can the API number be used for normal functionalities?

Yes, the number can be used for making calls, sending and receiving SMS etc. It’s only that WhatsApp Apps can not be registered on this number.

5.Can I use multiple WhatsApp Business API client on a single phone number?

No, a single number can get access to a single WhatsApp Business API client only. The company can procure multiple WhatsApp Business API clients in the name of different departments within the company such as Finance, Procurement, Sales, Customer Support etc. on different phone numbers.

6.Can 1–800 and toll-free numbers be used for WhatsApp Business API?

These type of numbers are usually behind an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, which a WhatsApp registration call cannot navigate. Instead, WhatsApp is able to share with you 1 to 2 phone numbers that the registration phone call will come from. You can use this information to create an allowed list for those numbers so that you can redirect the registration call to an employee or mailbox where the registration code will be captured.

If creating an exception in your IVR tree is something that you can do, add the phone number to your WhatsApp business account and open a Direct Support ticket asking for the registration call phone numbers and stating the phone number you are trying to register in the ticket.

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