You can withdraw your Upwork proposal at any time before a contract is offered, without penalty. However, Connects used won't be refunded. After submission, proposals can be edited within six hours or until viewed by the client. You may submit a new proposal afterward, but it requires additional Connects.
You have the flexibility to decide whether or not you want to move forward with a project—even after submitting a proposal. Maybe you’ve taken on other work, changed your mind, or realized the project isn’t the right fit. Whatever the reason, you’re free to withdraw your proposal before a contract is offered.
You can withdraw a proposal at any point before you're offered a contract. Once an offer is made, you'll need to either decline the offer or, if you’ve already accepted it, end the contract. There's no penalty for withdrawing a proposal or turning down work you no longer want to do.
How to withdraw a proposal
- Go to Find work › Proposals and offers
- Find the proposal you want to remove and select the title
- Scroll down and select Withdraw proposal
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit a proposal after submitting it?
Yes—most parts of your proposal can be edited up to six hours after submission, or until the client views it. After that, you can still update your proposed terms (like pricing or timeline) until the client accepts or declines your proposal. Learn more.
Can I submit another proposal for the same job post after withdrawing one?
Yes, you can submit a new proposal to the same job post as long as your original proposal wasn’t boosted and didn't include an instant interview powered by Uma™, Upwork's Mindful AI. Just keep in mind that you'll need to use Connects again to send the new proposal.