Forum Discussion
Ongoing Issue with Employment Verification in Microsoft Partner Program
Hello
I am experiencing a persistent issue with the Employment Verification process in the Microsoft Partner and Reseller programs. When attempting to resolve the issue by clicking “Fix Now” after a rejected verification, I am continuously redirected back to the Identity Verification step. Even after completing the identity verification, I am sent back to Employment Verification, only to be rejected again. This creates a loop, and every time I click “Fix Now,” I am not given the option to upload any documents, but instead, I am redirected to the previous step, making it impossible to proceed.
This issue has been ongoing for 50 days, and I have contacted Microsoft Support many times. Unfortunately, I continue to receive the same generic responses, asking for the same documents to be uploaded. After submitting them, there is no further follow-up, and the issue remains unresolved. It seems as though I am receiving automated responses without any real resolution.
What adds to the frustration is the contradiction in the process: The exact same documents I submitted for Developer Verification, which were successfully processed and authorized, are being rejected for the Partner and Reseller programs, despite being identical in every way.
Given the significant impact this issue is having on my business, I am reaching out to the community for assistance. Has anyone else encountered a similar problem, or is there any guidance on how to resolve this? Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time and support.
55 Replies
This issue can happen if there are delays in verification or if the company details don’t match your partner profile. It’s a good idea to check that your work email, company domain, and profile information are correct. If the problem continues, contacting Microsoft Partner Support is usually the best option since they can review and fix verification issues from their side.
I'm already a verified, confirmed partner with several active tenants. I even just verified my identity by uploading my driver's license info. Yet my employment verification was just rejected. No explanation, no appeal. I have no clue what happens next.
I’ll jump in here because I ran head‑first into this exact wall and eventually gave up. After 25+ years in US Government IT, I assumed spinning up a small consulting business would be straightforward. It wasn’t.
Like you, I did everything “right” — verified identity, followed the process, no shortcuts — and still got blocked with no explanation, no appeal, and no human path forward. Decisions seem to come from behind a wall of automation with zero accountability.
I genuinely hope yours gets resolved. I couldn’t get past it myself, and it was enough to make me step away entirely. It’s an incredibly frustrating way to run a partner ecosystem, especially when competent people are already actively supporting customers.
- JillArmourMicrosoft
Community Manager
PJBeee have you tried all of the following: How to fix rejected status in partner center?? - Microsoft Q&A
I also did a copilot search and this is what came back:
If your Microsoft Partner Program application is rejected, you can reapply once you have corrected all verification and compliance issues, but do not reapply immediately unless there are material changes to your account or business information .
Understanding the Rejection
A rejection in the Microsoft Partner Program usually means that your account did not meet one or more verification requirements, such as legal documentation, business validation, domain validation, or employment verification . Some rejections may explicitly indicate that no appeal is available for that specific submission. This applies only to the failed submission and does not prevent you from reapplying once corrections are made .
Steps to Address Rejection
- Check Verification Status: Access your Partner Center account under Account Settings > Legal Info to confirm the exact reason for rejection. Look for any notes regarding the verification issues .
- Fix Underlying Issues: Address any errors or missing information identified in the Account Verification pane. Typical corrections may include updating business registration documents, employee information, or contact details .
- Do Not Reapply Immediately: Reapplying without correcting the issues will almost certainly lead to another rejection. Only submit a new application once you are confident all requirements are fully met .
- Submission of a New Application: Once the underlying problems are resolved, you can submit a new application. Microsoft does not specify a required waiting period, but the key is ensuring your application now meets all verification requirements .
- Contact Support if Needed: If any process or verification issue is unclear, reach out to Microsoft Partner Center support for guidance to ensure your new application is correctly submitted .
Avoiding Future Rejections
- Ensure that your Partner Center profile is complete and accurate.
- Maintain updated legal and business documents.
- Verify your domain and email address properly.
- Meet all eligibility criteria for the specific Microsoft Partner program you are applying for .
By carefully correcting the issues and verifying your information, you increase the likelihood that your resubmitted application will be accepted.
Source(s):
1. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/account-settings/suspended-partner-center-account
2. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5720693/how-to-fix-rejected-status-in-partner-center
3. https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/partnercomplianceforum/identity-verification-rejected-in-partner-center-%E2%80%93-what-are-the-next-steps/4488415The issue isn't necessarily the rejection (so far) but the message it provided and the apparently finality of the message, which turns out to (probably) not be so final. It scared the bejesus out of me.
Microsoft support finally sent a message asking for a domain document that seemed impossible to provide, given the length of time I've had the domain (decades!), but a rep at my domain registrar was helpful and friendly; it looks as if the document provided is what support asked for. We shall see.
Another side of it is that I've been a reseller with a Microsoft partner account for YEARS. To suddenly be "rejected" outright with NO warning and NO previous requests for documentation is Kafka-esque indeed.
I also kept checking one support case for a reply, when it turns out the reply came into a different support case, which is the case that spawned the issue in the first place - it was not originally about any kind of validation. And I expected a phone call from that case (the support rep promised a call, which never came). So I've now been replying to messages on that case, which is where I am now.
So it's now a waiting game to see what happens next.
I'm only replying becuase I now see the humor in the complete ineptitude of this entire process. I thought, after starting my company, I'd be able to apply for and get "partner" status swiftly then move on to my business (which was going to be helping small businesses look large by leveraging enterprise tools).
Turns out MS seems to have outsourced all of its competency to its own AI - which is very A and not really I.
I have since completely given up and moved on. I sincerely wish the best for any/all of you trying to get where you know you need to be.
I hope it works out!
Mike
Owner,
Trilogy Pizza & Wine
San Antonio, TX
Hi, have you gotten any update on this?
- JillArmourMicrosoft
Best course of action is to submit a support ticket: Partner Center Support
You can't submit a ticket if you are a new account caught in this issue since you cannot select a workspace to begin with.
We have exactly the same problem. Our Microsoft Partner application was vetted and approved successfully. We then applied for the indirect reseller program using the same supporting documents that got the Partner application vetted and approved. Then, both the Partner Application and the Indirect Reseller application restarted all over. And now both are stuck in this endless Employment Verification loop. It is bizarre that a company as resourceful as Microsoft, cannot pick up the phone to tell its prospective partners what's missing or wrong, and instead resorts to generic template-based emails. And the most frustrating part is they keep telling me the documents are too old to be considered, but it's only a few weeks old and definitely within their 12-month requirement. Microsoft - if you are reading this, please fix this highly frustrating onboarding process. You can do better than this. Unless you just admit that you don't want any more partners or any partners at all.
Before you start this process it is a good idea to have a D.U.N.S number from Duns & Bradstreet it is a number that Microsoft understands. I was rejected countless times until the company was verified here https://www.dnb.com/en-us/utilities/customer-portal-login.html.
Have your CSP provider help you with the reset fix it case.
and make sure everything is correct in the partner portal. right down to the period and comma
I am encountering the same issue.
I have submitted all the required documents, including the domain name registration receipt to verify ownership, via the “Fix Now” appeal function. However, after the documents were received, the verification process appears to have stalled. I have not received any further updates from the vetting operations team, either through the Partner Centre or the support tickets I have raised.
I would greatly appreciate any assistance, as this delay is having a significant impact on my business operations.
Thank you for your time and support.
I’ve developed an AI-powered text analytics application that sits within MS Excel, and I’m currently in the pre-launch phase with initial customers lined up for validation. I’ve incorporated the business, purchased a domain, and completed all necessary banking and tax setup.
However, I’m now stuck in a holding pattern with Microsoft Partner Center. My domain verification keeps getting rejected without any specific feedback. I've hired outside help to ensure its correct and still after multiple attempts, I still receive the following response from Vetting Operations Support:
"This application is insufficient for the requirements of the program. We are proceeding to archive this case."
Unfortunately, no additional details were provided, and I’m unsure how to proceed.
I'll run out of runway if I can't get this app uploaded for users to start using. Has anyone figured out how to get an actual human to look at their application?!?!
I’ve developed an AI-powered text analytics application that sits within MS Excel, and I’m currently in the pre-launch phase with initial customers lined up for validation. I’ve incorporated the business, purchased a domain, and completed all necessary banking and tax setup.
However, I’m now stuck in a holding pattern with Microsoft Partner Center. My domain verification keeps getting rejected without any specific feedback. I've hired outside help to ensure its correct and still after multiple attempts, I still receive the following response from Vetting Operations Support:
"This application is insufficient for the requirements of the program. We are proceeding to archive this case."Unfortunately, no additional details were provided, and I’m unsure how to proceed.
I'll run out of runway if I can't get this app uploaded for users to start using. Has anyone figured out how to get an actual human to look at their application?!?!I'm having the same problem. Our domain name is a .co.uk domain which doesn't expose Registrant info by default, but even turning that on hasn't helped us get past employment verification
Me too . "Fix Now" does not work. I need to verify my Partner status to purchase the new equivalent of the MAPS licences.
Anyone resolved this?
I've been put in contact by a colleague with a MS Partner Development Manager for my country he knows and asked him to help. He asked to be put in CC in my infinite ticket mail exchange and within 2 days my profile has been verified. Very Sad.
