Docs · WhatsApp API

What to prepare before you apply

Most of the waiting is not Meta being slow — it is documents going back and forth. Get these five right the first time.

Last updated September 2026

1. SSM documents

You need a registered business entity. Enterprise and Sdn Bhd both qualify; a personal application does not.

Have a clear scan or photo ready. Blurry uploads are a real rejection reason. The business name on it is the name you must use everywhere else.

2. Proof of address

A company bank statement or a utility bill, recent, showing the same address as your SSM registration. If your operating address differs from your registered address, use the registered one — consistency matters more than which address is "real".

3. Facebook Business Manager

Set one up at business.facebook.com if you do not have one. Then submit Business Verification.

This is where almost every rejection happens. The company name, address and phone number in Business Manager must match your SSM documents character for character. "Sdn Bhd" vs "SDN. BHD.", a missing unit number, an old address — any of these is enough.

4. A phone number

It cannot currently be active on WhatsApp or the WhatsApp Business App
It can receive SMS or a voice call for verification
A mobile or a landline both work

Our recommendation for most businesses: buy a new number and use it as your "AI line." Your existing number keeps running, nothing goes offline, and if anything goes wrong your main line is untouched. More detail in Can I migrate my existing number?

5. A display name

This is what customers see at the top of the chat. Meta requires it to relate to your actual business.

Usually approved

Your business name as registered, or the trading name customers already know you by. Normal capitalisation.

Usually rejected

ALL CAPS. Keyword stuffing ("Best Cheap Aircon JB"). Anything close to another company's trademark. A generic word with no link to your business.

6. A payment card

Conversation charges are billed by Meta directly to your own account. Even if you never send a template message and never incur a charge, Meta generally still wants a card on file. See How conversation charges work.

Optional but helps

A website

Not required, but a site whose company details match makes verification noticeably smoother.

A Facebook page

An active page with matching details is useful supporting evidence, and it is required later if you apply for the green tick.

A company email on your own domain

Not required, but it looks more consistent than a free mail address when Meta reviews your business.

One sentence that saves most of the pain: pick the exact business name from your SSM document, and use that identical string in Business Manager, on your website, on your Facebook page and in your display name. Most rejections are a spelling difference, not a real problem.

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