WhatsApp Green Tick Verification is different from WhatsApp API Verification. A business may be approved for using WhatsApp APIs, but may not have a Green Tick.

WhatsApp is exploring ways for you to connect with the businesses that matter to you. WhatsApp has verified that the phone number of this contact belongs to the associated business. The green badge ✅ next to the contact’s name confirms that this is a verified business account.

You can apply for Green Tick after you are approved for WhatsApp Business APIs.

Very few businesses meet WhatsApp’s official business account criteria.

WhatsApp typically grants Green Tick or Official Business account to very limited and highly reputed businesses.

Types of Business Accounts

There are two types of WhatsApp business accounts:

Name	Description
Official Business Account	WhatsApp has verified that an authentic, notable brand owns this account. An official business account has a green checkmark badge in its profile and chat thread headers. The name of the business is visible even if the user hasn’t added the business to their address book. Very few businesses will be official business accounts.
Business Account	By default, any account using the WhatsApp Business API or WhatsApp Business App is a business account. WhatsApp verifies authenticity of a brand for every account on the WhatsApp Business API.

Official Business Account

If your WhatsApp account is an official business account, the display name will be visible in the chat list, chat screens, chat groups, and contacts view instead of the phone number. There will be a green checkmark beside the displayed name in the contacts view.

Business Account (with API access, but without Green Tick)

If your WhatsApp account is a business account, the display name will only be shown in the contacts view in smaller text; all other views will show the phone number. You can help customers learn more about your company by filling out your business info, including business website, address, and hours.

How to apply for Green Tick Verification?

• You must first apply for WhatsApp API access through a WhatsApp Business Solution Provider (BSP) such as WATI
• Once your WhatsApp Business API access is approved, you can reach out to your BSP to apply for Green Tick

However, Green Tick application may be rejected if your business is not reputed. In our experience, only about top 10% of the businesses are eligible for WhatsApp Green Tick. The rights to approve your Green Tick remains with WhatsApp and the BSP does not have any role to play in that.

Can I still use WhatsApp APIs without Green Tick?

What is the cost for applying for WhatsApp Green Tick Verification?

WhatsApp Green Tick Application Fee details can be found here.

Which businesses are not eligible for WhatsApp Green Tick Verification?

WhatsApp disallows certain business categories for WhatsApp API and hence for WhatsApp Green Tick Verification. Businesses dealing in the following products/services cannot be approved for using WhatsApp Business APIs:

• Drugs
• Tobacco Items
• Gambling Businesses
• Alcohol Brands
• Weapons & Ammunition Businesses
• Live Animals
• Adult Product/Services
• Medical & Healthcare Products
• Dating Services
• Cryptocurrencies

To get the full list and updated details about WhatsApp’s banned categories, please refer this article.