> [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/-/epics/4491) in GitLab 13.5.
A user in _pending approval_ state requires action by an administrator. A user sign up can be in a
pending approval state because an administrator has enabled either, or both, of the following
options:
When [Require admin approval for new sign-ups](settings/sign_up_restrictions.md#require-administrator-approval-for-new-sign-ups) is enabled, any user that signs up for an account using the registration form is placed under a **Pending approval** state.
-[Require admin approval for new sign-ups](settings/sign_up_restrictions.md#require-administrator-approval-for-new-sign-ups) setting.
> - [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/-/epics/4491) in GitLab 13.5.
> - [Enabled by default](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/267568) in GitLab 13.6.
When this setting is enabled, any user visiting your GitLab domain and signing up for a new account must be explicitly [approved](../approving_users.md#approving-a-user) by an administrator before they can start using their account. This setting is enabled by default for newly created instances. This setting is only applicable if sign ups are enabled.
When this setting is enabled, any user visiting your GitLab domain and signing up for a new account must be explicitly [approved](../approving_users.md#approve-or-reject-a-user-sign-up) by an administrator before they can start using their account. In GitLab 13.6 and later, this setting is enabled by default for new GitLab instances. It is only applicable if sign ups are enabled.
To require administrator approval for new sign ups:
...
...
@@ -56,10 +56,48 @@ To enforce confirmation of the email address used for new sign ups:
> - [Feature flag removed](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/292600) in GitLab 13.9.
When the number of billable users reaches the user cap, any user who is added or requests access must be
[approved](../approving_users.md#approving-a-user) by an administrator before they can start using
[approved](../approving_users.md#approve-or-reject-a-user-sign-up) by an administrator before they can start using
their account.
If an administrator increases or removes the user cap, the users in pending approval state are
If an administrator [increases](#set-the-user-cap-number) or [removes](#remove-the-user-cap) the
user cap, the users in pending approval state are automatically approved in a background job.
### Enable or disable User cap **(FREE SELF)**
User cap is under development but ready for production use.
It is deployed behind a feature flag that is **enabled by default**.
[GitLab administrators with access to the GitLab Rails console](../../../administration/feature_flags.md)
can opt to disable it.
To disable it:
```ruby
Feature.disable(:admin_new_user_signups_cap)
```
To enable it:
```ruby
Feature.enable(:admin_new_user_signups_cap)
```
### Set the user cap number
1. Go to **Admin Area > Settings > General**.
1. Expand **Sign-up restrictions**.
1. Enter a number in **User cap**.
1. Select **Save changes**.
New user sign ups are subject to the user cap restriction.
## Remove the user cap
1. Go to **Admin Area > Settings > General**.
1. Expand **Sign-up restrictions**.
1. Remove the number from **User cap**.
1. Select **Save changes**.
New users sign ups are not subject to the user cap restriction. Users in pending approval state are