Forum Discussion
Ongoing Issue with Employment Verification in Microsoft Partner Program
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.
Community ManagerPJBeee 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/4488415
The 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.
BTW another issue is the close-to-complete lack of transparency. I see no reason(s), whether for "security" or otherwise, why clear directions on how to clear the problem aren't given so that the partner can easily remedy the problem. Doing it any other way keeps you in the dark, and causes much anxiety, to say the least.