How to Withdraw Funds from Upwork to Local Currency with Lower Fees
Santiago Coates & Giulia Chillin
May, 23, 2024
5 min. reading
For freelancers working on platforms like Upwork, receiving payments efficiently and with low fees has always been a challenge.
Historically, many freelancers in Latin America and other regions of the Global South have faced significant difficulties accessing their funds and converting their earnings into local currency.
If you identify with this problem, you are in the right place. In this blog, we explore these issues and show how Airtm’s US Virtual Account provides an effective solution to maximize your income and simplify the payment process.
Challenges when Receiving Payments on Upwork
Freelancers on Upwork have faced several problems receiving their payments:
- High Fees: Using intermediaries and traditional banks often results in high fees that significantly reduce net earnings.
- Payment Delays: The waiting times to receive funds can be long, affecting the freelancer’s liquidity and financial flexibility.
- Lack of Flexible Options: Limited withdrawal options make it difficult to access funds in local currency or through convenient payment methods.
The Case of Giulia Chillin, Virtual Assistant on Upwork
To understand this problem better, we spoke with Giulia Chillin, a virtual assistant with many clients on Upwork. Giulia shared her testimony about the difficulties she faced using PayPal to withdraw her money from Upwork.
Previously, Giulia had to transfer her funds to PayPal and then to her bank account, a process that took between 4 to 5 business days. This waiting time was a major inconvenience for her. Now, thanks to Airtm, she can receive everything on the same day. Once the funds are available on Upwork, she transfers them to Airtm and quickly receives them in her bank.
The main problem she solved was the waiting time. Additionally, she found that the fees for converting to local currency are much more effective with Airtm, allowing her to complete the process without intermediaries.
A Simple Process: Airtm's US Virtual Account
Airtm’s US Virtual Account is specifically designed to help freelancers overcome these obstacles and access their earnings more efficiently and with lower fees, by connecting directly with freelance job platforms.
Setting up a US Virtual Account with Airtm is a quick and easy process. Once configured, you can link it directly to Upwork and other freelance platforms.
With a transaction fee of only 1.75% per transaction, freelancers can retain a larger portion of their earnings. Additionally, funds converted to USDC can be withdrawn using over 500 payment methods, including local banks, digital wallets, and cryptocurrencies, providing numerous options to access your money.
Steps to Set Up Your Account and Receive Funds
On Airtm:
- Log in to your Airtm account at airtm.com.
- Click on “US Account” in the menu and follow the instructions.
- Read and accept the terms and conditions of the provider Bridge Ventures Inc.
- Verify your identity by following the provided instructions.
- Review the information about the US Virtual Account.
On Upwork:
- Go to Settings › Get Paid.
- Select the Direct to U.S. Bank method.
- Click the Setup button for your chosen method.
- Enter your Airtm US Virtual Account information.
- Choose a payment schedule and select Next.
A New Way to Manage Your Finances on Freelance Platforms
The integration of Airtm’s US Virtual Account offers freelancers an effective solution to receive their Upwork payments quickly, securely, and with lower fees. If you are a freelancer looking to maximize your income and simplify the payment process, Airtm is the ideal tool for you.
Set up your US Virtual Account today and start enjoying the benefits.
