GitHub Copilot: Policy & Billing Changes Sept 2026

GitHub is updating its Copilot policies and billing. New sign-ups for Copilot Business and Enterprise will reopen on September 1, 2026, with updated billing requirements. Here's the thing: all new seat assignments will require upfront payment. Existing customers will also see an upfront charge for all assigned seats starting October 1, 2026. If usage exceeds included allowances, additional payment might be needed. What's not changing is the pricing for Copilot Business and Enterprise. Also, revoking a seat won't result in a prorated refund. Separately, by September 28, 2026, GitHub will unify Copilot Chat on github.com, Copilot Chat in GitHub Mobile, and the Copilot cloud agent into a single experience. This means one policy will replace the separate ones. Chat data will also be retained for the life of the account, instead of 28 days. These changes aim to provide a more consistent and reliable Copilot experience for users.