GitHub Education is effectively geoblocking students in Turkmenistan

[EzizmuhammetAshyrmuhammedow]

Hi everyone,

Here is the problem: GitHub is blocked in my country. I must use a VPN to even open the website. However, GitHub’s verification bot auto-rejects any application using a VPN.

The Loop:

Use VPN to access GitHub -> Rejected for 'VPN usage/Location mismatch.'

Turn off VPN -> Connection Refused (cannot access the site).

My school is verified, but we don't have .edu emails. I have official physical ID documents, but your browser-based camera compresses them until they are unreadable, and your support agents keep sending me back to the same broken bot.

This isn't just me - it's every student in my region. We are being excluded from global education tools by an automated system that doesn't account for regional censorship. Can a human staff member please look at Ticket

The school is 5th secondary school in Turkmenbashy city.

[Abdumajidov2005]

Subject: Unable to Complete GitHub Student Developer Pack Verification Due to Regional Access Restrictions

Hello GitHub Team,

I am trying to apply for the GitHub Student Developer Pack, but I am facing a serious issue due to internet restrictions in my region.

GitHub is blocked in my country, so the only way to access the website is by using a VPN. However, when I submit my student verification while connected to a VPN, the system automatically rejects my application because of “VPN usage” or “location mismatch.”

If I turn off the VPN, I cannot access GitHub at all, so it becomes impossible to complete the verification process.

My school is legitimate and verified locally, but we do not have .edu email addresses. I do have official student ID documents, but when I try to upload them through the browser camera verification system, the images get compressed and become unreadable.

Because of this, the automated system keeps rejecting my application.

This issue is not only affecting me but many students in my region who want to access educational developer tools. We are being unintentionally blocked from participating because of regional internet restrictions.

Could a human reviewer please look at my application or ticket and help verify my student status manually?

School: 5th Secondary School
City: Turkmenbashy

Thank you for your time and understanding.

Best regards.