What you need, how onboarding works, how long it takes and what it costs to get the official WhatsApp Business API for an Indian business.
Getting the official WhatsApp Business API is mostly paperwork and a few clicks — if you have the right things ready. Here is the process for an Indian business.
What you need
- A Meta (Facebook) Business portfolio for your company
- A phone number that can receive an SMS or call for verification and is not active on another WhatsApp account
- A website that matches your business name
- Business documents for Meta verification, such as GST certificate or company registration
- A display name that matches your brand
Step-by-step onboarding
- Choose a provider (a Business Solution Provider or Tech Provider) — this is who gives you the dashboard, inbox and support.
- Sign in with Facebook through the provider's Embedded Signup and create or select your Business portfolio.
- Add your phone number and verify it with the code Meta sends.
- Set your display name and profile (logo, description, address, website).
- Complete Meta business verification to raise your messaging limits.
- Create and submit your first message templates for approval.
How long it takes
The signup itself takes under an hour. Display name review and business verification can take from a day to a couple of weeks depending on your documents. Template approvals are usually quick.
Messaging limits
New accounts can start conversations with a limited number of customers per day. As you send good-quality messages that customers don't block or report, Meta raises your limit step by step. Quality rating matters, so message only people who opted in.
What it costs
- Meta charges per delivered template message, by category (marketing, utility, authentication) and country
- Customer-initiated replies inside the 24-hour window are free under Meta's current pricing
- Your provider may charge a platform fee or a markup per message
Get started with TextNSMS
TextNSMS onboards your number to the official platform, sets up your inbox and chatbots, and helps with template approvals. See the WhatsApp Business API page or contact our team.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my existing WhatsApp number for the API?
Yes, but it must be removed from the WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app first. It cannot be active on both at the same time.
Do I need Meta business verification?
You can start without it, but verification raises your messaging limits and is needed to grow beyond small daily volumes.
Related service
WhatsApp Business API with TextNSMS
Prepaid wallet, pay per message, DLT-compliant routes. Serving Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon and all of India.