Navigating the 2025 APN Fee Changes: What AWS Partners Need to Know to Stay Compliant
The AWS Partner Network (APN) is evolving, and so are its requirements for maintaining and renewing membership. In 2025, AWS is rolling out significant changes to the APN Fee Payment Process, which will impact how partners engage with AWS and ensure they stay compliant with the latest guidelines.These changes aim to streamline partner billing and further elevate the standard for active engagement. If you’re an AWS partner, here’s everything you need to know to stay ahead of the game and ensure a seamless renewal process.
Important Dates & Changes You Need to Know
✅ May 1, 2025
Starting May 1st, all partners who have not previously billed the APN fee will be required to link an AWS account to their Partner Central profile. This is the first step to enable the APN fee payment system.
Action Tip: It’s recommended to use a dedicated AWS account for APN engagement to ensure clarity and tracking.
✅ August 1, 2025
By August 1st, partners must do more than link their AWS account; they will also be required to meet the Validated stage requirements for at least one of their enrolled partner paths (Services or Software) before they can make any APN fee payments.
Action Tip: Check your Partner Scorecard to track your status and identify any missing criteria that need to be completed for your path.
✅ November 15, 2025
The final phase comes on November 15th. From this date, APN fee billings will only be processed for accounts with a linked AWS account. Additionally, all partners will need to have completed the Validated stage for at least one of their enrolled paths to proceed with APN fee payment.
- What does this mean for you? If you haven’t linked your AWS account or met the Validated stage criteria, you won’t be able to renew or confirm your APN membership.
🛠️ Action Steps to Stay Compliant
- Link Your AWS Account to Partner Central
If you haven’t already done so, you need to link your AWS account to your Partner Central profile for APN fee processing. This is a mandatory step starting May 1.
Recommendation: Use a dedicated AWS account to keep APN-related activities organized and streamlined. - Complete Validated Stage Requirements
You need to meet or maintain the Validated stage requirements in at least one of your enrolled partner paths. This step is required before proceeding with APN fee payments and will be enforced starting August 1.
Action Tip: Check your Partner Scorecard and ensure you’re meeting the necessary milestones. If you’re unsure about what’s required, get in touch with AWS support or check the APN Program Fee Guide. - Be Prepared for November 15 Deadline
After November 15, if your AWS account isn’t linked, or you haven’t met the Validated stage requirements, you won’t be able to renew your APN membership or proceed with fee payments.
Action Tip: Take action now—don’t wait for the last minute. This is crucial for maintaining your relationship with AWS.
🔎 Why These Changes Matter
AWS’s updates to the APN fee structure are not just about fee collection—they’re about strengthening the overall partner ecosystem. Here’s why staying compliant with these new changes is so important:
- Efficient Billing Process: Linking your AWS account early ensures there are no delays in processing your APN fees.
- Stronger Partner Engagement: The Validated stage criteria encourage deeper involvement in AWS’s growth initiatives, leading to more co-selling opportunities, technical expertise, and revenue generation.
- Future-Proofing Your Membership: Meeting these requirements ensures that you maintain a strong, active relationship with AWS and remain part of the cloud leader’s growing partner network.
At Adiantara, we are already aligning our strategies to meet these new requirements, ensuring we stay compliant and ahead of the curve. By taking proactive steps, we’re setting ourselves up for continued success in the AWS ecosystem.
