What Is This Error
When trying to subscribe to GitHub Copilot Individual or Copilot Business, you receive a payment error: "Payment failed," "Unable to process payment," or "Billing error." The subscription doesn't activate even though your card has sufficient funds.
Why It Happens
GitHub uses its own billing system connected to Stripe and Azure Marketplace. Payment errors can occur for several reasons.
Billing country not supported. GitHub does not accept cards from certain countries — particularly Russia, Belarus, and other sanctioned regions. If the country in your billing profile doesn't match the card's issuing country, the payment will be declined.
Prepaid card. Like other Stripe merchants, GitHub blocks prepaid cards for monthly recurring subscriptions.
Billing address mismatch (AVS failure). GitHub runs AVS verification. If the address you enter doesn't match what the bank has on record, the payment is declined.
Bank-level international transaction block. Your bank may block payments to GitHub (a Microsoft company), especially if the merchant category code (software) or destination country is restricted.
Unverified GitHub account. GitHub sometimes requires a verified email address and two-factor authentication before allowing billing.
Step-by-Step Fix
Check your GitHub billing profile. Go to Settings → Billing and plans → Payment information. Confirm that the country in your profile matches the card's issuing country.
Use a card with a US or EU billing address. Marix issues virtual cards with billing addresses in the US or EU — exactly what GitHub Copilot requires for successful payment processing.
Enter the exact billing address. When adding the card to GitHub, use the address associated with your virtual card. It must match completely, including zip code.
Enable two-factor authentication. GitHub requires 2FA before granting billing access. Enable it at Settings → Password and authentication.
Check that international payments are enabled. In your banking app, confirm that the card can process transactions with foreign merchants.
Try a different card or browser. Cached payment session data can sometimes interfere with a new payment attempt.
Contact GitHub Billing support if you cannot resolve the issue yourself. Provide the exact error message and the last 4 digits of your card.
FAQ
How much does GitHub Copilot Individual cost? Copilot Individual is $10/month or $100/year. A free tier with limited completions is also available.
Can I pay for GitHub Copilot with PayPal? GitHub accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. PayPal is supported in select regions — check the available methods in your account's billing settings.
Why does GitHub ask for a country in the billing profile? GitHub needs to correctly calculate and apply VAT and other taxes based on the user's country. A country mismatch causes the payment processor to reject the transaction.
Need a card with the right billing address for GitHub Copilot? Try Marix — instant issuance, US billing, and simple top-up.