Learn how to add and verify a U.S. bank account as your billing method on Upwork, eligibility requirements, and how ACH payments can lower client fees.
In this article
- What is required to use a bank account as a billing method if I'm a client?
- How do I know if I'm eligible to use my bank account as a billing method?
- How do I add a bank account as my billing method to pay freelancers and other costs?
What is required to use a bank account as a billing method if I'm a client?
In order to use your bank account as your billing method, you must have:
- A valid U.S. billing address and bank account
- Spent at least $1,000 in the past 12 months on Upwork
- A record of on-time payments through Upwork
- A backup billing method: PayPal or credit card (in many cases)
Heads-up for U.S. clients: If you’re paying through a U.S.-based bank account (ACH), you’ll automatically get a discounted 3% Client Marketplace Fee on your payments — instead of the usual 5%.
How do I know if I'm eligible to use my bank account as a billing method?
If eligible, you'll see adding a bank account as an option under Billing & Payments.
How do I add a bank account as my billing method to pay freelancers and other costs?
- Go to Settings > Billing & Payments
- Choose the Add a New Billing Method button
- Select Bank Account, then choose to Link Account or Enter Manually
- After you complete the form, select Save
- Upwork will submit two small deposits to your account
- Check with your bank to confirm the two verification deposits
- Return to your Billing & Payments and choose Verify
- Enter the two verification deposits