Manage How You Get Paid

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When your earnings from your clients become available depends on the type of payment:

• Hourly contracts are based on the weekly billing cycle. The weekly billing period ends on Sunday, your funds are available for withdrawal 10 days later (the following Wednesday).
• Fixed-priced contracts are based on milestones. Once the client approves a milestone your funds are available for withdrawal after a five-day security period has passed.
• Bonus payments are available after your client's payment has been successfully processed and the five-day security period has passed.

In order to access your earnings, you'll need to add a payment method and set your tax status. 

Note: All agency contracts are paid to the agency's account. You’ll need to arrange payment from your agency directly. Click here to learn more.

Select How You Get Paid

Upwork offers a number of choices for withdrawing your funds. With the following payment methods you can withdraw directly to your bank account:

• Direct to U.S. Bank (ACH) – Free
• Direct to Local Bank – $0.99 per transfer
• U.S. Dollar Wire Transfer – $30 per transfer
• Instant Pay for U.S. Freelancers - $2.00 per transfer

We also offer the following third-party payment vendors:

• PayPal
• Payoneer
• M-Pesa (Kenya only)

The availability of payment methods varies by country and there may be incoming fees at some banks. The options available to you will be displayed when you add a payment method. Consider comparing costs and access options in your country before selecting a method.

Note: If you are withdrawing directly to your bank account, the beneficiary name on your bank account must match the name on your Upwork profile. Exceptions may be made for transgender users and common name changes. (i.e. Robert to Bob) If your payment method was flagged for a name mismatch, please contact support to resolve the issue or add a new payment method.

To Set Up a Payment Method

1. Go to Settings  ›   Get Paid
2. Click Add Method
3. Click the Set Up button for your chosen method and enter the information
4. Choose a payment schedule and click Next

For security reasons, your new payment method will become active in three calendar days. Be sure to double check your account number(s) and details carefully. Accurate entry of these details is your responsibility and essential for successful withdrawals. Consider setting up a second payment method as a backup, just in case your first one isn't available for some reason. You can add as many as you want and make changes as needed.

Automatic Payment Schedules

Once you have set up a payment method your available balance will then be disbursed to your preferred payment method automatically according to your chosen payment schedule. Click here to learn more about setting up and changing your payment schedule. You can also withdraw your available funds manually at any time.

Withdraw Your Earnings Manually

You can also withdraw your available balance at any time using the "Get Paid Now" option. 

1. Go to the Settings  ›   Get Paid
2. Click the Get Paid Now button
3. Choose the amount to withdraw
4. Click Get Paid Now

To Edit Payment Information

1. Go to Settings  ›  Get Paid
2. Under Payment Methods, find the one you want to edit
3. Click Edit from the (...) options menu
4. Edit your information and click Save Changes

Email addresses, bank account numbers, and bank codes can't be edited. You must add a new payment method if these change. Don't forget to remove the old payment method at that time, too.

To Remove a Payment Method

1. Go to Settings  ›   Get Paid
2. Under Payment Methods, find the one you want to remove
3. Select Remove from the (...) options menu

Troubleshooting