From 44ae6d8ac87a21897b3fc0dbd2a3be05d7456b82 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: akagarwa-msft <158249709+akagarwa-msft@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2026 09:19:08 +0530 Subject: [PATCH] Revise Microsoft 365 Developer Program documentation Updated the eligibility criteria and onboarding process for the Microsoft 365 Developer Program, including changes to the subscription date and additional details on sandbox setup. --- docs/microsoft-365-developer-program.md | 32 ++++++++++++++++++------- 1 file changed, 24 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/microsoft-365-developer-program.md b/docs/microsoft-365-developer-program.md index cf182ef..22b63b4 100644 --- a/docs/microsoft-365-developer-program.md +++ b/docs/microsoft-365-developer-program.md @@ -1,13 +1,13 @@ --- title: Welcome to the Microsoft 365 Developer Program description: Join the Microsoft 365 Developer Program to develop Microsoft 365 solutions independent of your production environment. -ms.date: 10/01/2025 +ms.date: 09/02/2026 ms.localizationpriority: high --- # Welcome to the Microsoft 365 Developer Program -The Microsoft 365 Developer Program includes a Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription that you can use to create your own sandbox and develop solutions independent of your production environment. You can build Microsoft Teams apps, Office Add-ins for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook, or SharePoint Add-ins, using Microsoft Graph, the SharePoint Framework, Power Apps, and more. You also get access to [Microsoft Intune](/mem/intune/fundamentals/what-is-intune). +Eligible Microsoft 365 Developer Program members can request a Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription to create a sandbox for developing solutions independent of their production environment. You can build Microsoft Teams apps, Office Add-ins for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook, or SharePoint Add-ins, using Microsoft Graph, the SharePoint Framework, Power Apps, and more. You also get access to [Microsoft Intune](/mem/intune/fundamentals/what-is-intune). Do you have a Visual Studio Pro or Enterprise subscription? If so, you can take advantage of additional benefits when you join the program; for details, see [Join with Visual Studio](join-with-visual-studio.md). @@ -17,15 +17,22 @@ Do you have a Visual Studio Pro or Enterprise subscription? If so, you can take Use the following quick reference to see if you are eligible. -|**Category** |**Qualification**|**How to join**|**See also**| -|:----------------------------|:----------------|:--------------|:-----------| -| Visual Studio Subscribers | Visual Studio Professional or Enterprise subscription holders automatically qualify. | Sign up via Visual Studio portal. | [Join now](/office/developer-program/join-with-visual-studio) | +> [!IMPORTANT] +> A Microsoft 365 enterprise or production subscription and a Microsoft 365 Developer Program sandbox are separate subscriptions and environments. Having an enterprise or production subscription does not automatically create, replace, or qualify you for a Microsoft 365 E5 developer sandbox. You must join the Developer Program, meet the requirements for an eligible qualification path, and provision the sandbox through the Developer Program dashboard. + +| **Category** | **Qualification** | **How to join** | **See also** | +| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | +| Visual Studio Subscribers | Visual Studio Professional or Enterprise subscription holders automatically qualify. | Sign up via Visual Studio portal. | [Join now](/office/developer-program/join-with-visual-studio) | | ISV Success Program Members | Companies enrolled in ISV Success Program or eligible MAICPP tiers can request a Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscription. | Once you sign up for the developer program with your corporate email, you'll see an option to request a M365 E5 Developer subscription. | [- Learn more about the ISV Success Program](/partner-center/membership/isv-success)

[- Learn more about the MAICPP](https://www.microsoft.com/americas-partner-one/maicpp?msockid=111adc8963d469eb14c7c9c562866859) | -| Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program Participants | Eligible MAICPP partner levels include:
| Sign in with your corporate email and the eligibility option will appear. | [Learn more about partner types](/partner-center/membership/mpn-overview#services-partner) | -| Premier or Unified Support Plan Members | Companies with a Premier or Unified Support contract are eligible.| To request a subscription, after registering for the developer program, reach out to your Microsoft partner contact to request a Microsoft 365 E5 Developer subscription using the same email address you signed up with.
| N/A | +| Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program Participants | Eligible MAICPP partner levels include:
| Sign in with your corporate email and the eligibility option will appear. | [Learn more about partner types](/partner-center/membership/mpn-overview#services-partner) | +| Premier or Unified Support Plan Members | Companies with a Premier or Unified Support contract are eligible. | To request a subscription, after registering for the developer program, reach out to your Microsoft partner contact to request a Microsoft 365 E5 Developer subscription using the same email address you signed up with.
| N/A | | Government clouds | The Microsoft 365 Developer Program is not offered in Microsoft's government clouds such as Microsoft 365 Government (GCC, GCC High, or DoD). | Government cloud environments are designed to meet specific regulatory and compliance requirements, and some programs or features available in the commercial cloud are not supported there. | N/A | -## Join the Microsoft 365 Developer Program +## Complete Developer Program onboarding + +Developer Program onboarding has two stages. First, join the program and create your membership. Then, after your eligibility is confirmed, request and provision your Microsoft 365 E5 developer sandbox. + +### Join the Microsoft 365 Developer Program > [!IMPORTANT] > If you're a paid Visual Studio subscriber, we recommend that you join the program by activating the benefit through the Visual Studio membership portal. For details, see [Join with Visual Studio](join-with-visual-studio.md). @@ -65,6 +72,15 @@ Use the following quick reference to see if you are eligible. 9. When you're finished, choose **Join**. Your preferences appear on the next page in the top right, and you will see a Welcome message and will receive a welcome email. +### Set up a Microsoft 365 E5 developer sandbox + +After you join the Developer Program, complete the eligibility and sandbox setup steps: + +1. Sign in to the [Developer Program dashboard](https://developer.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/profile) with the account that you used to join the program. +2. Complete the eligibility process for one of the qualification paths listed in the [eligibility overview](#m365-dev-program-eligibility). +3. Complete any identity or eligibility verification requested by Microsoft. +4. When **Set up E5 subscription** appears on your dashboard, select it and complete the instant sandbox setup, including any required billing verification and administrator credentials. + ## Related content - For frequently asked questions about the Microsoft 365 Developer Program, see the [FAQ](microsoft-365-developer-program-faq.yml).