Do I need Meta business verification for the WhatsApp API?

Not to start. A new, unverified account can message 250 customers a day outside the 24-hour window. Verifying your business is one route to 2,000, and it is needed to send Flows and to qualify for an Official Business Account.

• Meta says verification brings improved functionality, such as higher throughput and Official Business Account status.
• You can also reach 2,000 a day without verifying, by sending 2,000 high-quality template messages to different customers within 30 days.
• A decision can take up to 14 working days. Your business details and website must match exactly, and the website needs HTTPS.
• If you edit your business details afterwards, you must complete verification again.
• Verification alone doesn't give you a verified badge. The API's blue check needs a separate Official Business Account request.