WhatsApp Green Tick (Now Blue Tick) Verification in India: Eligibility, Steps and Cost (2026)

The WhatsApp green tick for businesses has been replaced by a blue checkmark, which on the WhatsApp Business Platform comes from Official Business Account (OBA) status. To be eligible, you need WhatsApp policy compliance, 30+ days on the platform, a verified business portfolio, two-step verification and an approved display name. Meta also assesses notability from organic news coverage. Applying is free in WhatsApp Manager, and if denied, you can reapply after 30 days. Meta Verified is a separate paid subscription.

Meta's Help Centre stresses that business verification is different from Meta Verified and doesn't give you a badge.

Meta's Official Business Accounts documentation lists:

1. The business complies with the WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy.
2. The business has been on the WhatsApp Business Platform for at least 30 days.
3. The business portfolio is verified through Business Verification.
4. The phone number has two-step verification enabled.
5. The phone number's display name is approved.

Meta also says it doesn't grant OBA to employees, test accounts or WhatsApp Business app numbers. Meta also notes that a non-OBA number won't appear in WhatsApp search unless the user has saved it, which makes OBA more useful for discoverability.

The real hurdle: notability

Providers' docs, such as 360dialog's OBA guide, describe the notability check:

• The display name should represent a well-known, frequently searched brand.
• It's assessed using online news articles from publications with sizable audiences.
• Paid or promotional content, listings, your own website and social media don't count.
• Recommended: at least five recent (last 12 months) links from reputable publications.

So a small salon in Coimbatore with great Google reviews but no press coverage will likely be denied, and that's normal. It says nothing bad about the business.

1. Get business verification done. See our guide to verification documents for India.
2. Get your display name approved. It should match your brand and website. Meta's display name docs explain the rules.
3. Turn on two-step verification for the business number. Note: with Meta's new account model (rolling out from September 23, 2026), Meta is deprecating the 6-digit PIN for eligible Cloud API numbers. If the Two-step verification tab no longer appears in WhatsApp Manager, Meta says the change has already been applied. Ask your provider how that affects the OBA checklist for your number.
4. Wait until you've been on the platform 30 days.
5. Prepare your evidence: website with display name, address and phone; 5+ recent organic news links.
6. In WhatsApp Manager → Account tools → Phone numbers, choose the number, open Profile, and click Submit request under Official business account.
7. Add your supporting links and submit. You'll be notified of the decision.
8. If denied, build coverage and reapply after 30 days.

If you don't see the button despite meeting the criteria, Meta suggests contacting your Meta point of contact, your solution provider's support, or Meta Support.

Before you click submit, collect these in one document so nothing is rushed:

Don't pad the pack with paid features, press-release sites or directory listings. Providers report these don't count, and they make the application look weaker.

Probably worth applying if: you're a known consumer brand, a large hospital chain, an ed-tech with press coverage, or a D2C brand that's been covered by mainstream business media.

Probably not worth chasing yet if: you're a single clinic, salon, coaching centre or small D2C brand without press. Put the effort into things customers actually see:

• A clear display name that matches your Instagram and Google profile
• A recognisable profile photo (logo)
• A complete business profile: description, address, website, email, hours
• Opt-in-first messaging, so people expect to hear from you
• A consistent number across your ads, website, invoices and Google Business Profile

OBA status is granted only by Meta. Any agency promising a guaranteed tick for a fee is either misleading you or selling something else. Applying is free. A reputable provider will help you prepare, but can't guarantee approval.

Third-party docs note that changing your display name after getting OBA triggers a fresh notability and compliance review, so the badge may not carry over. Pick a long-term display name first. Meta allows a limited number of display name changes. Its docs mention up to 10 in a 30-day period.

WatsBerry onboards you to the official Cloud API through Embedded Signup and helps you get the basics right: display name approval, business verification and a complete business profile. If you're eligible, I'll help you put together an OBA request. Meta bills WhatsApp usage to your own payment method, and WatsBerry charges a separate platform plan (₹1,599 / ₹2,999 / ₹5,999 per month + GST). We don't sell or promise badges.

Want an honest view on whether your brand is ready for an OBA request? Message me from watsberry.com and I'll take a look.

Abbas Ali, Founder, WatsBerry