Time Limit for Reinstatement Requests on GitHub

[Dustvale]

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Hello everyone,

According to the official documentation, users may appeal a moderation decision for up to six months from the date of the decision, and GitHub may refuse to consider appeals submitted after this period. However, I noticed that the documentation mainly emphasizes the time limit for appeals, and it is not clear whether the same six-month time window applies to requests for reinstatement.

Could you please confirm:

1. Is there a six-month time limit for submitting reinstatement requests, or can such requests be made at any time after an enforcement action?
2. If both appeals and reinstatement requests have the same six-month limit, can you provide an official reference or explanation for this policy?

I want to ensure that I fully understand the timeframe and requirements for both processes. Thank you very much for your help and clarification.

[alishanawer]

Hi there,

Great question, and it's definitely important to understand the distinctions between appeals and reinstatement requests in the context of GitHub's policies.

According to GitHub’s Moderation & Appeals documentation, users have up to six months from the date of a moderation decision to submit an appeal. GitHub may decline to review appeals submitted after that window.

While the documentation focuses primarily on appeals, in practice, requests for reinstatement are typically treated as a form of appeal, especially when they involve moderation actions like account suspension, content removal, or repository takedown. Therefore, the same six-month time limit generally applies to reinstatement requests as well.

Although GitHub does not currently provide a separate or explicit policy page specifically for reinstatement requests, previous staff responses and moderation communications indicate that the six-month limit serves as a general guideline for all post-enforcement reconsideration requests, including reinstatements.

If you're unsure whether your case qualifies as an "appeal" or "reinstatement request," it's usually best to reach out to GitHub Support directly via the GitHub Support portal and provide all relevant details. They can assess your specific situation and confirm whether it falls within the eligible timeframe.

Hope this helps clarify things!

[Dustvale]

Thank you