Learn how to appeal an Upwork account suspension, track your appeal status, understand review times, and find out what happens while your account is restricted.
In this article
- How do I appeal a suspension?
- What happens after I file an appeal?
- How long does it take Upwork to review an appeal?
- Why was my Upwork account suspended?
- How do I win my appeal?
- What happens while my account is suspended?
- How can I appeal a suspension due to poor feedback?
How do I appeal a suspension?
There are two different ways, depending on whether you can log into your Upwork account:
1. If you can still log into your Upwork account:
-
- Check the suspension banner in your account. It will explain the reason for the suspension and offer next steps
- Follow any prompts provided. If your issue can be resolved through self-service — like verifying your ID or updating a payment method — you’ll be guided through the process
- If needed, you can submit an appeal right from the banner
2. If you cannot log into your Upwork account
- Reply to the suspension email you received. This is the fastest way to reach us
OR
- Submit an appeal using this APPEAL FORM. To access the form, make sure pop-ups and JavaScript are enabled in your browser
If your account is active, the form won’t load — or it may redirect you back to here or another page.
What happens after I file an appeal?
-
- You can track the status of your appeal in the Appeals Tracker (if you are able to log in)
- Our Trust and Safety team will review your appeal and email you a final decision
- Most appeals are reviewed within two business days. Please avoid submitting multiple tickets—this slows things down and creates duplicate cases
- If approved, your account access or capabilities may be restored
- If denied, and the case is final, further appeals may be blocked unless new information becomes available
How long does it take Upwork to review an appeal?
Most appeals are reviewed within two business days. Please avoid submitting multiple tickets—this slows things down and creates duplicate cases.
Pro tip: Track your account standing and appeal status
The account health hub is your go-to space to view the overall status of your Upwork account. You’ll see any current holds, policy issues, or profile visibility updates — along with the status of any ongoing appeals or reviews. It also gives you clear steps to stay in good standing and resolve issues quickly.
Learn more about the account health hub.
Why was my Upwork account suspended?
We may suspend or restrict accounts due to violations of our Terms of Service. These actions range from temporary restrictions that you can resolve yourself, to permanent blocks for serious or repeated violations.
You’ll typically receive:
-
- A notification in your Upwork account
- An email explaining the reason for the suspension and next steps
Make sure to check your spam folder if you don’t see the email.
How do I win my appeal?
Appeals are only approved under specific circumstances. To be successful, your appeal must show that:
-
- A mistake was made in the suspension decision
OR
-
- You have new, relevant information that significantly changes the facts originally reviewed
Appeals based solely on disagreement — without new evidence or context — are unlikely to be successful.
What happens while my account is suspended?
To understand what’s changed with your account, check the message in your Upwork account or the email we sent. Depending on the situation, your account may have one of the following limitations:
- Restricted. Some features are limited and you need to take action to get full access again
-
Revoked. Your Upwork account is suspended. You’ll need to submit an appeal to find out if your access can be restored
How can I appeal a suspension due to poor feedback?
If your account was suspended due to ongoing concerns about client feedback, you’ll need to wait six months before submitting an appeal. When you're eligible, you can appeal by following one of these steps.