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Overview
Visual Studio Subscriptions provide access to Microsoft developer tools and services for building, testing, and delivering applications. For eligible partners, Visual Studio Enterprise IDE access is provided as part of the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program (MAICPP) and is managed through Partner Center.
This article explains how Visual Studio Subscriptions work for partners, what changed with Benefits Refresh 2026, and how to assign and manage Visual Studio access.
Note
Partner Program Visual Studio benefits are different from paid Visual Studio Subscriptions and legacy MSDN offerings. Visual Studio access and benefits depend on Partner Program enrollment. They’re managed in Partner Center.
Visual Studio Subscriptions for partners
Eligible partners receive Visual Studio Enterprise IDE access as a Partner Program benefit. This access is delivered and managed differently from paid Visual Studio Subscriptions.
Partner Program Visual Studio Subscriptions:
- Are licensed per user
- Must be assigned to be valid
- Depend on Partner Program eligibility rather than subscription tiers
Users sign in to Visual Studio using their work account and access the IDE based on their organization’s Partner Program entitlements.
Benefit Refresh 2026: What changed for Visual Studio Subscriptions
Beginning February 13, 2026, Microsoft updates Partner Program developer benefits as part of Benefits Refresh 2026. These updates apply only to Partner Program benefits and don’t affect paid Visual Studio Subscriptions.
The updated benefits take effect in the following scenarios:
- Your organization renews its Partner Program membership at its anniversary date, or
- Your organization enrolls in or purchases a new membership offer on or after February 13, 2026.
What changed
For Visual Studio Subscriptions provided through the Partner Program:
- Visual Studio Enterprise IDE remains available as the core developer tool.
- Benefits are now clearly separated by delivery model:
- Visual Studio IDE access is assigned per user.
- Azure credits are delivered at the organization level through Partner Program benefit packages and are no longer bundled with individual Visual Studio IDE licenses.
- Legacy MSDN-style software downloads and transferable product keys are no longer included with Partner Program Visual Studio benefits.
What stays the same
The following Visual Studio–related benefits continue to be available for eligible partners:
- Visual Studio Enterprise IDE
- Azure DevOps Basic and Test Plans
- Integration with modern development tools and workflows
Partners also continue to access community resources and learning opportunities as part of the broader Partner Program.
Assign Visual Studio Subscriptions
Partner Program admins use Partner Center to manage Visual Studio Subscriptions.
To assign access:
- Sign in to Partner Center and select Benefits.
- Select Developer Tools, then Visual Studio Subscriptions benefits.
- Select the Visual Studio benefit you want to activate.
- Choose a user and select Assign user.
- If the user isn't listed, add them in Account settings.
- Repeat for each Visual Studio Subscription you want to assign.
Manage assigned users
- Use View and remove assigned users to see who has access.
- Select Remove to revoke access.
- To reassign a subscription to another user, select Reassign user. This option is available after 90 days from when the license is removed from a user.
Renewal and reassignment behavior
When your organization renews its Partner Program membership:
- User assignments carry forward automatically when your organization renews within the same Partner Program membership offer or Solution Partner designation.
- Reassignment is required if:
- Your organization transitions to a different membership offer, or
- Your organization changes Solution Partner designations, or
- Your organization no longer qualifies for its designation.
Partners are responsible for tracking Visual Studio Subscription assignments and usage.
Learn more about assigning Visual Studio Subscriptions through the Partner Center.
Common questions
Are Azure credits included with Visual Studio Subscriptions for partners?
No. Azure credits aren’t bundled with individual Visual Studio Subscriptions. Azure credits are delivered separately at the organization level as part of Partner Program benefit packages.
Is this the same as a paid Visual Studio Subscription?
No. Partner Program Visual Studio Subscriptions are different from paid subscriptions purchased through retail or volume licensing. Paid subscriptions include other benefits and are managed separately.
Do users need to be reassigned after a Partner Program transition?
Assignments carry forward when your organization remains within the same Partner Program membership offer or Solution Partner designation.
Reassignment is required when assignments don’t carry forward, such as when your organization transitions between different membership offers or designation.
Will assignments be lost at renewal?
No. Assignments carry forward when your organization renews within the same Partner Program membership offer or Solutions Partner designation.