Updated April 24, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
Introduction
Microsoft is improving the custom license request experience for Microsoft 365 Copilot to help organizations better align Copilot license requests with their internal approval workflows. With this update, admins can create Copilot‑specific request policies and tailor guidance by user group, allowing more precise routing and clearer instructions for people requesting a license.
When this will happen
General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out in late April 2026 and expect to complete by late June 2026.
How this affects your organization
Who is affected
- Users who request Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses
- Admins who configure license request policies in the Microsoft 365 admin center
What will happen
- Admins will be able to create product‑specific custom license request policies for Microsoft 365 Copilot.
- Admins can scope policies by user group, such as security groups or Microsoft 365 groups.
- When someone requests a Copilot license, they will see:
- Admin‑defined instructions.
- A link to your organization’s internal approval workflow.
- License approvals will continue to occur outside Microsoft systems, using your existing internal processes.
- Existing custom license request behavior will remain unchanged unless an admin updates configuration.
What you can do to prepare
No action is required if you want to continue using your existing configuration.
If you choose to adopt the new capabilities, you can:
- Review your current custom license request policies in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
- Decide whether to apply product‑specific or group‑specific policies for Copilot.
- Confirm that internal approval links and instructions are accurate and accessible.
- Communicate these updates to your IT support or helpdesk teams.
Learn more: Manage self-service license requests in the Microsoft 365 admin center | Microsoft 365 | Microsoft Learn
Compliance considerations
No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.