Customers may from time to time request access to Upwork’s API, which is required should the client want to integrate Upwork functionalities to their web-based or mobile applications. The most common request is to integrate Upwork’s reporting into their internal systems and workflows. Other uses include but are not limited to searching for freelancers, creating job postings, sending offers, and closing contracts.
We provide use of Upwork’s API to allow clients to make work easier by automating features like retrieving time and financial reports for freelancers, teams, and companies, saving the client time and money.
The ability to request an Upwork API Key is only available to Upwork Enterprise clients with an exception for those extremely HV clients that don’t yet qualify for ENT.
Criteria we need to know to ask for an exception for a CL to be able to submit an application
- Spend
- Tenure
- Reputation
- How many employees?
- How they will be using API?
- What does the company do?
- T&S check (Maria in EE to help coordinate)
Meet all other requirements listed below:
Qualifying to submit an API Application:
Every new request for an API Key will be reviewed. For a quick positive decision, the account information must be verifiable.
-
The account must be registered under the customer’s own name (no fake names, no company names)
- The complete, physical address (including suite or apartment number) must be listed under the Company contact. If this address is the same as the UPM billing address, it can be added by Tech Support.
- The account must have a profile photo (FL acct will need to be created)
***IDV will be required before an application will be reviewed.
Usage of the API must comply with the following restrictions
- Must not exceed a reasonable request volume. Our daily allowed limit is 40K requests
- Must not use the Upwork logo, brand name, brand theme/colors, trademarks or copyrighted content in the API key request form or the app you will develop
- Be used for a non-commercial purpose
Ensure the project description is clear, accurate, and complete
- States whether the API usage will be exposed to third parties or will be for private use
- States precisely what the API will be used for
Requests may receive an immediate rejection if
- IDV is not complete
- The account name is a company name (with the exception of cases where the business name is the same as the legal name of the account owner), or is a fake name.
- No company address
- No profile photo
- There is no clear use stated
- The Upwork brand name, logo, Upwork theme colors, trademarks, or copyrighted material is used
- API will be used for commercial purposes
What to expect
The client will receive an email approving or rejecting the request. If the request is rejected, check again that they followed all the guidelines above. Once they’ve made the necessary changes to the account and/or application, advise them to respond to the rejection email they received and let us know when they’ve done so. The API key request will be reviewed one more time.
Is there an additional fee for API?
No, this is a service we provide free of charge.
Can Enterprise team members request API?
Yes, admins are able to submit the request, however, IDV is required to submit the application. Applications received without IDV will immediately be rejected. Team members or FLs can request on behalf of the CL for which they are working, but ownership must be agreed upon prior to applying. The owner of the API Key maintains the responsibility of the API Key.
Are there any Slack rooms where I can ask questions?
Ask-api-team can be pinged for updates on approvals or resubmissions. Approvals take approximately 6-8 weeks and typically cannot be expedited.
What if I have questions I cannot answer using this doc or the Upwork API Reference?
The Upwork API Reference includes the form to register a new application and all other information the user may need to know about Upwork API.
We can reach out to the following individuals if we have questions. (subject to change without notice)
- Omkar Ghurye
- #ask-api-team in Slack