Appeal an account suspension

Upwork suspends accounts for violations of its Terms of Service, ranging from temporary restrictions to permanent blocks. Users can appeal suspensions via an in-platform banner or email, depending on access. Appeals are only successful with new information, policy changes, or errors. Most are reviewed within two business days.

At Upwork, we’re committed to providing a safe, trusted, and fair environment for everyone. Sometimes that means taking enforcement actions—like suspending an account—when our Terms of Service are violated.
If your account has been suspended, we understand how important it is to resolve things quickly. Our in-product appeals experience is designed to help you do that.

Why was my account suspended?

We may suspend or restrict accounts due to violations of our Terms of Service. These actions range from temporary restrictions that you can resolve yourself, to permanent blocks for serious or repeated violations.

You’ll typically receive:

• A notification on the Upwork platform if you're logged in
• An email explaining the reason for the suspension and next steps

Make sure to check your spam folder if you don’t see the email. 

What happens while my Upwork account is suspended?

Depending on the reason, you may face one of the following:

Temporary restrictions: You can still log in and complete current work, but certain features like applying to jobs or withdrawing funds may be disabled

Account blocks: You won’t be able to access your account or perform any actions. You’ll need to appeal if you believe this was a mistake

Opening a new account after a suspension is not allowed and is a violation of our Terms of Service.

How do I appeal a suspension?

If you're logged in:

• Follow the instructions on the suspension banner shown in your account
• If your issue can be resolved directly (e.g., ID verification, payment method issues), you’ll be guided through a self-service flow
• If an appeal is required, the banner will link you to the appeal form

If you're locked out:

• Reply to the suspension email you received. This is still the fastest way to reach us OR
• Use this appeal now to submit a request. (Note: Enterprise accounts must reply via email)

If you’re a freelancer suspended due to bad feedback, you must wait six months before you can appeal your suspension.

Please note that if you are logged in and your issue can be resolved directly (e.g., ID verification, payment method issues or accepting our Terms of Service), you’ll be guided through a self-service flow—no appeal needed.

What happens after I file an appeal?

• You can track the status of your appeal in the Appeals Tracker (if logged in)
• Our Trust & Safety team will review your appeal and email you a final decision
• Most appeals are reviewed within 2 business days. Please avoid submitting multiple tickets—this slows things down and creates duplicate cases

Once an appeal is reviewed:

• If approved, your account access or capabilities may be restored
• If denied, and the case is final, further appeals may be blocked unless new information becomes available

What if my account is suspended due to location?

If your account was suspended due to your location in a sanctioned country, and you’ve moved to a supported region, you may appeal using the form or by replying to our email. Your profile and Job Success Score will be preserved during suspension.

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