Country and regional restrictions on WhatsApp messaging

Understand which countries and regions are blocked or restricted for WhatsApp Business Platform messaging, and how that affects DoubleTick users.

The WhatsApp Business Platform doesn't allow messaging to every country. Some regions are fully blocked due to Meta policies and international sanctions, and a few others have stricter rules around cross-border or marketing messages. This applies to any business using the WhatsApp Business API — including DoubleTick — and isn't something DoubleTick can override.

What's covered

• Fully blocked countries and regions

• Countries with cross-border marketing restrictions

• Key takeaways

• Frequently asked questions

Fully blocked countries and regions

You can't send messages to numbers in the following countries and regions through the WhatsApp Business Platform:

• Cuba (+53)

• Iran (+98)

• North Korea (+850)

• Syria (+963)

• Certain embargoed regions of Ukraine, such as Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk

Numbers from these countries or regions are completely blocked due to Meta policies and international sanctions. This isn't a DoubleTick-specific restriction — it applies across the entire WhatsApp Business Platform, regardless of which provider you use.

Countries with cross-border marketing restrictions

A few other countries don't block messaging outright, but apply stricter rules for businesses sending from outside the country:

• Brazil and Indonesia — if your business account is registered outside of these countries, you can't send messages to numbers there. Reaching local users in Brazil or Indonesia requires a local business account registered in that country.

• United States (+1) — Meta has temporarily blocked sending marketing/promotional template messages to US numbers. Other message categories, such as Utility and Authentication templates, aren't affected by this restriction.

These restrictions can change as Meta updates its policies. If you're planning to expand into any of these markets, it's worth checking your current WhatsApp Manager account or with your account manager for the latest status before you start.

Key takeaways

• Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and certain embargoed regions of Ukraine (Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk) are completely blocked on the WhatsApp Business Platform.

• These blocks come from Meta policy and international sanctions — they apply to every WhatsApp Business API provider, not just DoubleTick.

• Businesses registered outside Brazil or Indonesia can't message numbers in those countries; a local business account is required.

• Meta has temporarily paused marketing template messages to US numbers, though Utility and Authentication templates aren't affected.

Frequently asked questions

Can DoubleTick unblock messaging to a sanctioned country like Iran or Cuba?

No. These restrictions come from Meta and international sanctions, not from DoubleTick. No WhatsApp Business API provider can send messages to these countries.

Why can't I send messages to customers in Brazil or Indonesia?

If your WhatsApp Business Account is registered outside Brazil or Indonesia, Meta doesn't allow you to message numbers in those countries. You'd need a business account registered locally in that country to reach those users.

Can I still send Utility or Authentication messages to US numbers?

Yes. Meta's current restriction only applies to marketing/promotional template messages sent to US numbers. Utility and Authentication templates aren't affected.

Which parts of Ukraine are restricted?

Certain embargoed regions, including Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk. The rest of Ukraine isn't affected by this restriction.

Are these restrictions permanent?

The sanctioned-country blocks (Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, embargoed Ukraine regions) are tied to international sanctions and aren't expected to change soon. The US marketing template restriction is described by Meta as temporary, so it's worth checking for updates periodically.

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