PayPal transfers from Upwork are usually instant but can take up to 24 hours, and new withdrawal methods have a three-day delay. Check Upwork and PayPal for specific fee details.
In this article
How long do PayPal transfers take?
Most transfers from Upwork to PayPal are processed right away. In some cases, it may take up to 24 hours.
If it’s been more than 24 hours since you initiated your transfer and it hasn’t arrived, we recommend contacting PayPal directly.
You may experience delays when setting up PayPal as a new withdrawal method:
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- For security reasons, you won’t be able to withdraw to a new PayPal account until three days after you add it
- If your PayPal account is also new, PayPal may limit your account functionality until you complete their verification process. This typically includes linking a bank account or credit card
Pro tip: To avoid delays, we suggest setting up your withdrawal method early — ideally before you start submitting proposals.
What fees should I expect when using PayPal?
Upwork charges a small fee per transfer, and PayPal may apply additional fees on their side.
Upwork
To see the current Upwork fee:
- Go to Account settings (desktop) or Settings (mobile) > Withdrawals
- Select Add a method to view available withdrawal options and fees
PayPal
PayPal’s fees vary depending on:
- The currency of your transfer
- How you withdraw funds from your PayPal account
- Your country or region — including how your country classifies transactions
For example, PayPal India may classify transfers from Upwork as payments for services and charge additional fees. For details, visit PayPal’s fees page.
Note: For information on adding PayPal as a withdrawal method, go here.