Learn how Upwork’s Pay Later lets eligible U.S. Business Plus clients apply for 30-day payment terms, manage invoices, and pay securely through a third-party provider.
In this article
- What is Pay Later, and how does it work?
- Who is eligible to use Pay Later?
- Is there a fee to use Pay Later?
- How do I apply for Pay Later?
- How long does Pay Later approval take?
- When and how do I pay my Pay Later invoices?
- Where do I see my Pay Later monthly invoices?
- How do I remove Pay Later as my billing method?
- Do I have to reapply for Pay Later if I’m already set up for Net 30 payments?
- Do I still get Upwork Payment Protection with Pay Later?
- Will using Pay Later delay payments to my freelancers?
- What if my company is not approved?
- Is my financial information secure with Pay Later?
What is Pay Later, and how does it work?
Pay Later gives eligible U.S.-based Business Plus clients 30 days to pay for purchases on Upwork, through a third-party provider, Balance. It is available in most U.S. states.
Here’s how it works:
- Apply through your Upwork settings (if eligible)
- Get approved by the third-party provider
- Make purchases using Pay Later
- Receive an invoice for each purchase from the provider
- Pay within 30 days or sooner. The third-party provider automatically charges the billing method you set
up on their platform 30 days after your purchase — or you can pay sooner on the provider’s portal
Note: You can set Pay Later as your primary billing method on Upwork, or use it just for specific purchases.
Who is eligible to use Pay Later?
To apply, you must:
- Be on a Business Plus plan
- Be a U.S.-based business in a state where Pay Later is available
To be approved, you must:
- Meet the eligibility requirements set by the third-party provider (Upwork does not review or decide)
Note: Pay Later is not available yet in California, Nevada, North & South Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, or Minnesota.
Is there a fee to use Pay Later?
No, there’s no additional fee to use Pay Later if you qualify and pay your balance in full by the due date. Standard Business Plus fees still apply.
If a payment is missed or late, interest or late fees may apply based on the provider's terms. Be sure to review their repayment terms when applying.
How do I apply for Pay Later?
If you’re eligible to apply, you’ll see in your settings. Just follow these steps:
- Go to Account settings (desktop) or Settings (mobile) > Billing & Payments
- Select Add a billing method
- Choose Pay Later
- Complete the application through the third-party provider’s secure flow
Don’t see Pay Later in your settings? It may not be available in your region or account yet.
Important: Submitted applications can’t be edited. If you spot an error, reach out to support@getbalance.com for assistance.
How long does Pay Later approval take?
In most cases, you’ll know right away while you’re still on the application page. Once a decision is made, you’ll also be notified by the third-party provider via email.
If approved, you’ll get next steps for activating Pay Later billing. Once you do, you’ll see it in your billing methods on Upwork.
When and how do I pay my Pay Later invoices?
You have two options:
- Wait to be charged: The billing method you added with the third-party provider will be charged automatically on day 30. For example, if you make a purchase on October 5, you’ll be charged on November 4
- Pay early: You can enter the payment portal from the link found next to your Pay Later billing method in Account settings > Billing & Payments or in emails from the third-party provider
You can pay your Pay Later invoices using any of the following methods:
- Connect a credit card to your account.
- Connect your bank account securely through Plaid.
- Send a bank transfer directly to Balance’s bank account. The banking details will be available on your dashboard after your application has been completed and approved.
Where do I see my Pay Later monthly invoices?
Head to your Balance portal:
- On Upwork, go to Account settings (desktop) or Settings (mobile) > Billing & Payments
- Scroll to your Pay Later method
- Select the Go to Balance link
How do I remove Pay Later as my billing method?
You can’t remove Pay Later from your billing methods, but you can easily use another method to pay on Upwork:
- For hourly work: You can set a different primary billing method
- For fixed-price or purchases: Choose your preferred method at checkout
Do I have to reapply for Pay Later if I’m already set up for Net 30 payments?
Yes — even if you used Upwork’s previous Net 30 terms, you’ll need to reapply for Pay Later through the third-party provider. It’s a completely separate program.
Do I still get Upwork Payment Protection with Pay Later?
Yes — Upwork Payment Protection still applies.
Will using Pay Later delay payments to my freelancers?
No — your freelancers are paid on the regular schedule, once work is approved. The financing provider covers the upfront cost and then you repay the provider.
What if my company is not approved?
You can try again, especially if your business details or credit profile change. We recommend waiting at least three months before reapplying.
Is my financial information secure with Pay Later?
Yes. Balance uses bank-level encryption and data security standards to protect your information.