I created a new Gemini API key from a Google Workspace (paid,
professional) account project. On the very first request (zero prior
usage) the API returns:
HTTP 403 PERMISSION_DENIED
“Your project has been denied access. Please contact support.”
The AI Studio dashboard shows “Billing tier: Not available” and status
“Limited” for this project. The same setup with a key generated from a
personal Gmail account works immediately, no billing required.
Is it confirmed that Google Workspace accounts are categorically
excluded from the Gemini API free tier (unlike personal Gmail
accounts)? If so, is there any official way to request free-tier
access for a Workspace-based project (e.g. for academic/research use),
or is enabling Cloud Billing the only path forward even to stay within
free-tier-equivalent volumes?
Thanks for any official clarification.