A Gulshan furniture shop applies for Meta Business verification. The portfolio says "Kathgolap Home". The Facebook Page says "Kathgolap Home Decor". The trade licence from the city corporation says "M/S Kathgolap Enterprise". Three names for one business. A week later Meta replies: rejected, the documents do not confirm the business name.
Nothing was fake. The details simply did not match, and matching is what Meta checks.
This guide covers what Meta Business verification is, the documents Bangladeshi businesses usually submit, why applications get rejected, and how to get through on the next try.
What is Meta Business verification?
Meta Business verification is a check in Meta Business Suite where you prove that your business legally exists, using official documents that show the same name, address and phone or website you entered. Meta reviews them and marks the business portfolio as verified.
It belongs to the business portfolio (what used to be called Business Manager), not to one Page or one WhatsApp number. Once verified, everything under that portfolio benefits. Read the short definition in the Meta Business verification glossary entry.
Do you need to verify before using the WhatsApp Business API?
No. A Bangladeshi business can connect a number to the WhatsApp Business API and reply to customers before it is verified. Verification matters when you want to reach more people with messages you start yourself, such as broadcasts and reminders.
As of October 2026, Meta's documentation says:
- A new business portfolio can send business-initiated messages to 250 unique customers in a rolling 24 hours.
- Verifying the business is one of the paths to a limit of 2,000. Meta also reviews message quality before raising it.
- Beyond 2,000, the limit grows automatically when you send good-quality messages and use at least half your current limit.
- The limit is shared by all phone numbers in the portfolio.
- Replies to customers who messaged you first, inside the 24-hour window, do not count.
Meta has changed these tiers more than once, so check the current messaging limits in WhatsApp Manager. Verification is also required before you can request an Official Business Account, the verified badge on WhatsApp.
Which documents do Bangladeshi businesses use for Meta verification?
Meta shows the documents it accepts for your country inside the verification flow, so treat that list as the final word. In practice, Bangladeshi businesses usually submit one document that proves the legal name and one that ties that name to an address or phone number.
| Document | What it usually proves | Notes for Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|
| Trade licence | Legal name, address | Issued by the city corporation, pourashava or union parishad. Must be current; renew it first if it has lapsed. |
| RJSC certificate of incorporation | Legal name of a limited company | For private limited companies. Use the exact name, including "Limited" or "Ltd." |
| TIN certificate | Legal name | From NBR. Useful as a supporting document. |
| VAT registration certificate (BIN) | Legal name, address | From NBR. Shows the business address. |
| Utility bill | Name and address | Electricity, gas or water bill in the business name, not the landlord's. |
| Bank statement or bank letter | Name and address | From the business account, on bank letterhead or with the seal. |
Some tips that save a second attempt:
- Use the same spelling everywhere. If the trade licence says "M/S Kathgolap Enterprise", the legal name in your portfolio must say that too. Your Page can keep its brand name.
- Check the language. Many trade licences carry English text alongside Bangla. If a document is only in Bangla, the reviewer may not be able to match it, so pick one with English or attach a certified English translation.
- Upload the full page in colour. No crops, no fingers over the seal, no screenshots of screenshots.
- Match the address format. "House 12, Road 5, Block C, Banani, Dhaka 1213" should read the same in the form and on the document.
Why does Meta reject business verification?
Meta rejects verification mostly because something in your form does not match the documents, or because the documents cannot be read or trusted. The table lists the reasons Bangladeshi sellers run into most and the fix for each.
| Rejection reason | What usually happened | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Business name does not match | Brand name typed instead of the registered name | Enter the legal name exactly as on the trade licence or RJSC certificate |
| Address does not match | Old address, or a different address on the second document | Update the portfolio address, or use a document showing the current address |
| Document expired | Trade licence not renewed for the current fiscal year | Renew, then upload the new licence |
| Document unreadable | Blurry phone photo, cropped edges, glare on the seal | Scan the full page in colour |
| Document not accepted | A handwritten receipt, invoice or letterhead | Choose a document from Meta's list for Bangladesh |
| Website or phone cannot be checked | Website does not show the business name, or the number is unreachable | Add the legal name and address to your website footer and answer calls on the listed number |
| Edited document | A PDF with changed text | Use the original issued document |
If you are rejected, Meta shows a reason. Read it closely, fix only that, and resubmit. Changing everything at once makes it harder to know what worked.
How do you apply for Meta Business verification step by step?
You apply in Meta Business Suite under Business settings, then Security Center. The steps are listed at the end of this page. A few points the screens do not make obvious:
Before you click start
Set the business portfolio's legal name, address, phone number and website to match your documents first. Most rejections are decided by what you typed before the upload.
Choosing a contact method
Meta confirms that you control the business by sending a code by phone call, SMS, WhatsApp or email, or by asking you to verify your website domain. An email on your own domain ([email protected]) is stronger than a Gmail address, because it ties you to the website. Use a phone number that someone will actually answer.
How long does it take?
Meta Business verification can take anything from a few days to a couple of weeks. Third-party providers often quote up to 14 business days. The status shows in Security Center, and Meta may email you if it needs more documents. Apply well before a big sale, not the week of it.
Is business verification the same as a WhatsApp green tick?
No. Business verification proves your business exists. The verified badge on WhatsApp is a separate thing, either an Official Business Account or a Meta Verified subscription, each with its own conditions.
There is also a third review people confuse with these: the WhatsApp display name. When you register a number, Meta checks that the display name relates to your business. A display name can be approved while business verification is still pending, and the other way round.
| Review | What Meta checks | Needed for |
|---|---|---|
| Business verification | Legal existence of the business | Higher messaging limits, Official Business Account |
| Display name review | The WhatsApp name matches your brand | Showing your name to customers |
| Official Business Account | A notable, verified brand | The verified badge on WhatsApp |
What does SaleMag need from you?
SaleMag connects your number to Meta's official WhatsApp Business API through embedded signup: you log in with Facebook, choose or create your business portfolio and WhatsApp Business Account, and add your number. Verification itself happens in your own Meta business portfolio, and Meta, not SaleMag, decides on it.
You can start replying from SaleMag's shared inbox, with templates and an AI chatbot, while verification is pending. When you are planning large broadcasts, verify early so your limit has time to grow. The WhatsApp Business API in Bangladesh guide covers the full setup.
Next steps
Today, pull out your trade licence and compare its name, spelling and address with what your portfolio says. Fix the portfolio, renew anything that has expired, and scan the documents properly. Then submit.
If your number is not on the API yet, start free with SaleMag and connect it while Meta reviews your documents, or see pricing.
Step by step
- 1
Gather matching documents
Collect a current trade licence or incorporation certificate and a second document, such as a utility bill or bank statement, with the same legal name and address.
- 2
Fix your business details first
In Meta Business Suite, set the business portfolio’s legal name, address, phone and website to exactly what the documents show.
- 3
Start verification in Security Center
Open Business settings, then Security Center, and start verification. Enter the details and pick documents from the list Meta shows for Bangladesh.
- 4
Confirm the contact method
Receive and enter the code Meta sends by phone, SMS, WhatsApp or business email, or verify your website domain if offered.
- 5
Wait and respond
Track the status in Security Center. If Meta rejects it, read the reason, fix the mismatch and submit again.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Meta Business verification to use the WhatsApp Business API in Bangladesh?
No, not to start. A new business can connect a number and reply to customers before verifying, but verification is one of the ways to raise the messaging limit for business-initiated messages and is required for an Official Business Account.
Which documents does Meta accept for business verification in Bangladesh?
Meta shows the accepted documents for your country inside the verification flow in Security Center. Bangladeshi businesses commonly use a trade licence, an RJSC certificate of incorporation, a TIN or VAT (BIN) registration certificate, a utility bill or a bank statement in the business name.
Can I verify a business with only a trade licence?
Sometimes. A trade licence can prove the legal name, but Meta may also need proof of the address or phone number, so keep a utility bill or bank statement in the same name and address ready.
Why was my Meta Business verification rejected?
The most common reason is a mismatch: the legal name, address or phone number you entered is not exactly what the document shows. Expired, cropped, blurry or edited documents are also rejected.
How long does Meta Business verification take?
Meta Business verification can take from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on Meta’s review queue. The status shows in Security Center in Meta Business Suite.
Can a sole proprietor or Facebook-only shop get verified?
Yes, if the business has official documents in its own name, such as a trade licence. A shop with no registered name has nothing for Meta to match, so get a trade licence first.
Does business verification give my WhatsApp number a green tick?
No. Business verification is a separate step. The verified badge on WhatsApp comes from an Official Business Account or Meta Verified, which have their own requirements.
About the author
WhatsApp & F-commerce automation, Dhaka
The Dhaka team that builds SaleMag, the AI sales inbox for WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram used by online sellers in Bangladesh.