What changed
Direct to U.S. Bank sends your Upwork balance to a US bank account by ACH. Many freelancers outside the US use it with a US account from a payment service such as Wise or Payoneer.
From 1 September 2026 each of these withdrawals costs $2.99 when your tax address is outside the United States. With a US tax address they stay free. Upwork says the fee covers the cost of keeping this payout option available for international freelancers.
The date that counts is when the withdrawal runs: a withdrawal scheduled earlier but executed on or after 1 September pays the fee too.
How it compares
| Method | Fee per withdrawal |
|---|---|
| Direct to U.S. Bank, tax address outside the US | $2.99 |
| Direct to U.S. Bank, US tax address | Free |
| Direct to Local Bank | $0.99, plus any incoming fee your bank charges |
| Wire transfer in US dollars | $50 |
Upwork’s service fee on contracts is separate: from 0% to 15% per contract, shown before you accept.
What it means for freelancers
- Withdraw less often. One $2.99 fee on a month of earnings weighs less than four weekly ones.
- Compare with Direct to Local Bank. It costs less per transfer, but your dollars are converted on the way.
- Plan with what lands. Count the payout that reaches your account after fees and conversion, not the contract amount. The Upwork, Fiverr and Stripe guide shows the whole path from invoice to bank.
In Freeboard
Sources
Read on 5 November 2026.
- Upwork, Fiverr and Stripe payoutsFees, timing and conversion, from invoice to bank.
- Safe to spend calculatorWhat you can spend today, twelve months ahead.