**Client Referrals in Onboarding

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User Process:

It is possible for a freelancer to submit an application to join Upwork, invite external clients, but ultimately be denied admission to the platform

Freelancer inputs up to 3 client emails after they submit their application to join Upwork
Invited clients will receive an email (within 48 hours) after the freelancer profile has gone through admissions. The user’s profile will be linked from the email if the freelancer is admitted to Upwork.
Client clicks “Sign Up” and is directed to sign up for Upwork
Once an invited client signs up and verifies his or her email, freelancer will receive an email with a promo code to upgrade their account to Freelancer Plus (freelancer must have a billing method on file in order to successfully upgrade their membership - the plan will continue to renew after the end of the free trial and if they do not want it, they need to ensure they go in and cancel)

Email Sent to Freelancers

FAQs

My application to Upwork wasn’t accepted. What happens to the clients I’ve invited?

Thanks for your question. It’s likely your client received your invitation to join Upwork while we were reviewing your application to join Upwork. We apologize about this inconvenience. If they’d like to start working with you online, we ask you to let them know that you will not be available to work with them on Upwork at this time.

What will my client see when I invite him/her?

Thanks for reaching out. Once you refer a client, within 48 hours we email them on your behalf with an introduction to Upwork and the following message: “I’d like to invite you to join Upwork, where you can find top freelancers to get your work done.

I want to invite clients, but I’ve already left the flow. How can I access that screen?

Thanks for reaching out. This promotion is currently only available when you are submitting an application to join Upwork. We are sorry for any inconvenience this creates.

Is there a limit to the number of clients I can invite?

Thanks for your question. With this promotion, you can invite up to three clients and receive up to three free months of a Freelancer Plus membership if each referral successfully joins Upwork.

Do I get a discount on contract service fees with clients I invite?

[[All users except Rising Talent]]

Thanks for your question. This promotion does not impact the service fees you pay as a freelancer. This promo offers up to three, free months of a Freelancer Plus membership.

[[If Rising Talent (Internal only)]]

Rising Talent freelancers are eligible to receive 0% service fees with clients you invite to Upwork. Please note that clients must be new to Upwork. You’ll be able to take advantage of features like easy invoicing and Upwork Payment Protection – all while building a top-notch freelancer reputation on Upwork, getting paid on time, and adding to your work history.

I was charged for Freelancer Plus after my free month ended.

If writing in >1 month after charged for FL Plus

We apologize, but we state in the original offer that your Freelancer Plus membership will automatically renew after the free month. While we don’t offer refunds for Freelancer Plus, you can change your membership plan before your next billing cycle starts to avoid being charged an additional $10.

If writing in <1 month after charged for FL Plus

Thanks for reaching out. I’ll be happy to issue a refund for the $10 Freelancer Plus membership fee and downgrade your membership to Freelancer Basic.

When will my membership plan be upgraded to Freelancer Plus?

Thanks for your question. A few days (no more than three) after your client successfully joins Upwork, we will email you a promotional code that you can use to upgrade your membership plan.

I’m an existing freelancer, and I heard about this opportunity. Can I invite my clients to Upwork in exchange for Freelancer Plus?

Not TR/RT/Premium

Thanks for your question. At the moment this promotion is available for new freelancers only.

TR/RT/Premium (Internal only)

Thanks for reaching out. Right now this promotion is available for new freelancers only. However, you’re eligible for the Bring Your Own Client promotion, which allows you to bring external clients to Upwork in exchange for a 0% service fee on all contracts with that client – forever.

I invited my client to Upwork previously, and I heard about this opportunity. Can I get Freelancer Plus?

We apologize, but the Freelancer Plus promotion is not valid for prior client invites.

My client used a different email to sign up than the one I provided. Can I still receive the promotion?

Thanks for your question. Unfortunately, the email your client used to sign up on Upwork.com must match the email address you provided to us when inviting them to join Upwork.

I referred multiple clients and only received a promo code for one month. Where are my others?

Thanks for your question. It’s likely they have not signed up, not verified their accounts, or that we are still processing your account upgrade. We will email your promotional code no later than three days after your client successfully joins Upwork. Thanks for your patience!

Internal Inquiry Only: How does this differ from the Bring Your Own Client program?

The Bring Your Own Client program is only available to select freelancers at this point in time.