WhatsApp Business API access in India takes 3–7 days from start to finish. This guide walks you through every step — Meta Business verification, phone number setup, template approval, and sending your first message.
Before going through the API setup process, confirm you need the API rather than the free WhatsApp Business App.
Rule of thumb: If you're spending more than 2 hours/week on manual WhatsApp responses, or have more than one person managing WhatsApp, the API pays for itself within the first month.
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Meta Business Account | business.facebook.com — free to create. Must match your legal business name exactly. | Required |
| Business registration document | GST certificate, MSME certificate, or Certificate of Incorporation. Personal ID is not accepted. | Required |
| Dedicated phone number | Any Indian mobile or landline number not currently active on WhatsApp. The number will be exclusively used for WhatsApp API. | Required |
| Business website or Facebook Page | Meta requires a verifiable online presence. A basic website or active Facebook Business Page qualifies. | Required |
| WA.Expert account | Register at dash.wa.expert — free to start, no credit card required for trial. | Required |
Important: The phone number you use for WhatsApp API cannot simultaneously be active on WhatsApp Business App or regular WhatsApp. If you want to migrate an existing number, you must delete it from WhatsApp App first.
Go to dash.wa.expert and register. Enter your business name, email, and phone. WA.Expert is your BSP — the authorised bridge between your business and Meta's WhatsApp API. Registration takes 2 minutes.
In WA.Expert onboarding: click "Connect Meta Business Account." You'll be redirected to Meta's embedded signup flow. Log in with the Facebook account that owns your Meta Business Account. Authorise WA.Expert to manage your WhatsApp Business Account.
Enter the phone number you want to use for WhatsApp API. Meta sends an OTP to that number (call or SMS). Enter the OTP. The number is now registered as your WhatsApp Business API number. This step is same-day.
In Meta Business Settings → Security Centre → Start Verification. Enter your business details exactly as on your registration document. Upload your GST certificate, MSME certificate, or Certificate of Incorporation. Meta reviews within 1–3 business days.
Before you can send outbound messages (to customers who haven't messaged you first), you need approved templates. In WA.Expert → Templates → Create Template. WA.Expert's library has 50+ pre-approved templates for common use cases. Custom templates typically approve within 24–48 hours.
Timeline: Steps 1–3 are same-day. Step 4 (Meta verification) takes 1–3 business days. Step 5 (template approval) takes 24–48 hours. You can start testing and building during the verification wait — the API works in limited mode before full verification.
Meta business verification is the most common stumbling block for Indian businesses. Here's what to expect and how to avoid rejection.
The display name in your Meta Business Manager must exactly match the name on your GST certificate or incorporation document. "ABC Solutions" on Meta but "ABC Solutions Private Limited" on your GST certificate will fail. Fix your Meta business name first.
GST certificates are the most reliably accepted document for Indian businesses. MSME certificates work but sometimes require a second document. Incorporation certificates work for Pvt Ltd companies. Shop & Establishment certificates occasionally get rejected — use GST if you have it.
Meta may call the phone number listed on your business document to verify. Ensure the number is active and you can receive the call during business hours.
Name mismatch between Meta Business Manager and document. Personal ID (Aadhaar, PAN) instead of business document. Business address not matching document. Business in a restricted category (gambling, adult content, cryptocurrency — some restrictions apply).
WhatsApp API pricing has two components: Meta's conversation fees and WA.Expert's platform fee.
| Conversation type | Who pays | India rate (2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing conversation | Your business | ~₹0.58–0.72 per conversation | Promotional messages, campaigns, broadcasts |
| Utility conversation | Your business | ~₹0.10–0.14 per conversation | Order confirmations, shipping updates, OTP |
| Authentication conversation | Your business | ~₹0.10–0.14 per conversation | OTP and verification messages |
| Service conversation | Your business | Free | Replies within 24 hrs of customer message |
A "conversation" is a 24-hour window, not per message. If you send 5 messages to a customer in one day, that's 1 conversation billed — not 5. Meta's first 1,000 conversations per month are free.
WA.Expert handles the entire setup process — Meta verification, phone number registration, template approval. Most businesses are live within 3 business days.