✓ Appealing an account suspension

Upwork may suspend accounts for violating its Terms of Service, ranging from temporary restrictions to permanent blocks. Enterprise customers can reach out to customer support if they need to appeal a suspension, if they believe there has been an error. Most are reviewed within two business days.

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At Upwork, we’re committed to providing a safe, trusted, and fair environment for everyone. Sometimes that means taking enforcement actions—like suspending an account—when our Terms of Service are violated.

If your account has been suspended, we understand how important it is to resolve things quickly. 

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 on the Upwork platform if you're logged in
• 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.

What happens while my Upwork account is suspended?

Depending on the reason, you may face one of the following:

• Temporary restrictions: You can still log in and complete current work, but certain features like applying to jobs or withdrawing funds may be disabled
• Account blocks: You won’t be able to access your account or perform any actions. You’ll need to appeal if you believe this was a mistake

After a suspension, opening a new account is not allowed and is a violation of our Terms of Service.

How do I appeal a suspension on an Enterprise account?

If you're logged in:

• Follow the instructions on the suspension banner shown in your account
• If your issue can be resolved directly (e.g., ID verification, payment method issues), you’ll need to fix it to have your account suspension removed
• If an appeal is required, you’ll need to contact your account team or customer support for assistance

If you're locked out:

Contact your account team or customer support to appeal your suspension

Important note about appeal approvals:

Examples of when we approve appeals include when:

• A mistake was made
• You provide new, relevant information that materially changes the findings that led to suspension

Appeals that just express disagreement are unlikely to succeed when the underlying Terms of Service violation remains.

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What happens after I file an appeal?

Once you contact support, a support agent will review your request and contact you, typically within two hours. 
Once an appeal is reviewed:

• 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

What if my account is suspended due to location?

If your account was suspended due to your location in a sanctioned country, and you’ve moved to a supported region, you may appeal using the form or by replying to our email. Your profile and Job Success Score will be preserved during suspension.

Learn more about how our Trust and Safety team protects you (and how you can help) here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why haven’t I heard back on my account suspension appeal?

Check your Appeals Tracker or email inbox. Most reviews take up to 2 business days. Please don’t send duplicate appeals.

Can I still finish working with freelancers on my projects if my account is suspended?

If your account is restricted—not blocked—yes. You can continue to work on existing contracts but cannot start new ones.