403 PERMISSION_DENIED when accessing Gemini API (Project access denied)

Gemini API
1

Hello,

I am encountering a 403 PERMISSION_DENIED error while attempting to use the Gemini API via Google AI Studio.

Error message:
“Your project has been denied access. Please contact support.”

Project details:

  • API key created successfully via Google AI Studio
  • Billing Tier: Unavailable
  • Location: India

I am using the Python SDK to test the API with the following minimal code:

from google import genai

client = genai.Client(api_key=“MY_API_KEY”)

response = client.models.generate_content(
model=“gemini-2.5-flash”,
contents=“Say hello”
)

print(response.text)

The API key appears to be valid (no API_KEY_INVALID error), but access is denied at the project level.

Could you please assist with the following:

  1. The reason this project has been denied access
  2. Whether Gemini API access requires additional enablement for this project
  3. If billing configuration or regional restrictions are affecting access

I would appreciate any guidance on resolving this issue so I can proceed with development.

Thank you.