How to receive Upwork earnings in a US bank account
Upwork's Direct to U.S. Bank method sends available freelance earnings in USD to an eligible US checking or savings account that accepts ACH transfers. The account holder's name must match your verified Upwork name. Bank location, tax address and residence are separate: a US account does not mean you should change your profile address.
Before you start
Check that your receiving account accepts ACH and that its details belong to the account you intend to use. This method differs from Direct to Local Bank, which has its own country and currency options.
Your earnings must become available before they can be withdrawn. A new bank method also has an activation period, so add it before the date you expect to use it. If your verified name differs from the bank record, contact Upwork support rather than changing details simply to force a match.
Upwork accepts some digital bank accounts depending on location, but its examples are not approval for every provider. It also warns that intermediary banks can limit payment tracing. Read its digital-bank guidance.
Set up Direct to U.S. Bank on Upwork
- 1
Open withdrawal settings
On desktop, open Account settings; in the mobile app, open Settings. Then select Withdrawals.
- 2
Choose the US bank method
Under Withdrawal methods, select Add a method. Find Direct to U.S. Bank and select Set up.
- 3
Enter and check the bank details
Add the requested account information. Confirm ACH support and that the account holder matches your real, verified Upwork name.
- 4
Choose your payment schedule
Select the schedule for your payments and choose Next. Complete the account confirmation required by Upwork.
- 5
Wait for activation and available earnings
The method becomes active three days after confirmation. Check both its status and your available earnings before relying on the selected payment schedule.
Upwork's setup instructions cover these screens. Saving a bank account is separate from releasing earnings or sending a payment.
Fees and the different waiting periods
Checked on October 27, 2026, Direct to U.S. Bank costs the freelancer $2.99 per withdrawal for a tax address outside the United States, effective September 1, 2026. It remains free for a US tax address. This is separate from Upwork's service fee, receiving-bank charges and any later conversion. See Upwork's current fees and timing.
| Stage | What to check |
|---|---|
| Standard hourly earnings | Normally available ten days after the Sunday billing-period close; eligible faster-payment arrangements differ |
| Fixed-price milestone | Client review can take up to fourteen days; after release, a five-day security hold applies |
| New bank method | Active three days after confirmation |
| ACH transfer to the bank | Typically two to five business days after withdrawal |
Contract approval and security periods happen before money is available. They are not bank-transfer delays. Some stages overlap, so do not add every maximum into one promised arrival date. See Upwork's hourly and fixed-price payment rules.
Considering Peanut for your earnings
Read the USD account guide and who can pay into an account. Peanut account access requires identity verification and residence eligibility. Payer permission is separate from Upwork accepting a particular receiving account.
The Upwork-to-Peanut route is not confirmed. Before arranging a withdrawal, ask Peanut support about the exact account, its ownership and Upwork's requirements. General ACH capability or another digital bank's acceptance does not establish this route. The income guide explains Peanut's broader receiving options.
If your money has not arrived
Check where the delay is: pending earnings, an inactive method or an actual withdrawal. Contact Upwork for name or method rejection and for outgoing-transfer problems. After five business days without the ACH deposit, Upwork directs you to contact its support for tracing; digital-bank intermediaries may restrict what it can trace.
For a sent transfer, share the amount, currency, date, status and available reference privately with the receiving provider. Use deposit troubleshooting for missing credit. A bank account being saved does not show that a transfer was sent.
FAQ.
Can I edit my account number later?
Upwork does not let you edit bank account numbers or bank codes in place. Add a new withdrawal method for changed details, then remove the old method. The new method has its own activation period.
Are all ACH withdrawals free?
No. The fee depends on your tax address. Upwork introduced the $2.99 charge for tax addresses outside the US on September 1, 2026.
Can I withdraw a milestone as soon as work is approved?
A released fixed-price payment still goes through Upwork's five-day security hold. Check that the earnings are available before expecting a withdrawal.