How To Verify My Upwork Account In Nigeria

Introduction.

If you’re looking to work online and earn money as a freelancer, chances are you’ve come across Upwork.

It’s one of the most popular platforms for freelance jobs, and thousands of professionals use it to find clients from all over the world.

However, one crucial step to getting started on Upwork is account verification.

In this guide, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about verifying your Upwork account if you’re based in Nigeria.

I’ll break down the steps, provide tips on what to avoid, and answer any questions you may have about the process. So, let’s get started!

Why Account Verification Is Important on Upwork

Before we dive into the steps, let’s first talk about why account verification matters. Upwork is a platform that connects freelancers with clients, but with so many users, they need to ensure that the people they’re working with are real and trustworthy.

A verified account gives you credibility, which is especially important when you’re starting out or looking to attract high-paying clients.

Having a verified account means you’ll be able to:

Access more job listings.
Appear more trustworthy to clients.
Potentially get higher-paying projects.
Gain access to Upwork’s customer support if there are any issues with payments or contracts.

Simply put, getting your account verified is your ticket to unlocking more opportunities and building your career as a freelancer.

How Do I Verify My Upwork Account In Nigeria?

Verifying your account on Upwork is not as complicated as it might seem. The process is pretty straightforward, but you do need to be prepared and follow the steps carefully. Let’s go over them.

Step 1: Create Your Upwork Account

If you haven’t already, your first step will be to create an Upwork account. Go to the Upwork website and click on “Sign Up.”

You’ll need to provide basic information like your name, email address, and a strong password. After that, you’ll need to complete your profile, which should include details like:

Your skills and experience.
A professional photo (make sure it’s clear and high-quality).
A brief introduction about yourself.
Your work history (if any).

Don’t rush this part. Take your time to make sure your profile looks professional and appealing to clients. The more detailed and polished it is, the better your chances of getting hired once your account is verified.

Step 2: Submit Your Identification Documents

Once your profile is ready, the next step is to provide identification documents. Upwork will ask for a government-issued ID (like your Nigerian National ID, Passport, or Driver’s License) to verify your identity.

Here’s how you can do that:

Go to your profile settings.
Click on “Verify Your Identity.”
Upload a high-quality photo or scan of your ID.

Make sure the image is clear, and all the details are readable. Upwork needs to be able to verify that you are who you say you are, so the better the quality, the smoother the process will be.

Step 3: Verify Your Payment Method

Next, you’ll need to verify your payment method. Upwork requires you to link a payment method (like Payoneer, bank account, or PayPal) so they can send you payments for the work you complete.

Here’s how to verify:

Go to the “Billing & Payments” section in your profile.
Add a payment method (Payoneer is a popular choice in Nigeria).
Upwork will send a small test deposit to your account or card.
You’ll need to confirm the amount of that deposit on Upwork to verify that it’s linked correctly.

By verifying your payment method, you’re ensuring that you can easily receive your earnings when you start landing jobs.

Step 4: Complete the Video Verification (If Required)

For some users, Upwork may require a video verification to ensure that you’re the person in the ID document you submitted. This is not always necessary for every account, but if Upwork asks for it, you’ll need to:

Get ready for a video call with Upwork’s support team.
During the call, you’ll be asked to hold up your ID next to your face so they can confirm that you match the ID.

This step is usually quick and doesn’t take much time, but make sure your internet connection is stable, and you’re in a well-lit area so the Upwork team can see you and your ID.

Step 5: Wait for Approval

Once you’ve completed the necessary steps, all that’s left is to wait for Upwork to review your documents.

This can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days, depending on their workload. You’ll get an email once your account has been verified or if there are any issues.

If everything goes smoothly, congratulations! You now have a verified Upwork account and can start bidding on projects and working with clients.

What to Do If Your Verification is Rejected

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned, and your verification might get rejected. If that happens, don’t panic.

Upwork usually provides feedback on what went wrong. Here are some common reasons your verification might fail:

The ID you submitted is blurry or unclear.
The name on your ID doesn’t match the name on your Upwork profile.
You didn’t submit the right documents (check Upwork’s guidelines for what’s acceptable).
The payment method wasn’t verified correctly.

If you get rejected, take the time to correct the issue and resubmit your verification. Upwork is pretty clear about what they need, so as long as you follow the guidelines, you should be good to go.

FAQs

1. How long does it take to verify my Upwork account?

It typically takes a few hours to a few days for Upwork to verify your account. Once your documents are reviewed, you’ll receive an email confirming whether you’re verified or if any additional steps are needed.

2. Do I need to have a Nigerian bank account to verify my Upwork account?

While having a Nigerian bank account isn’t a requirement for verification, you will need to provide a payment method to receive earnings. Popular options for Nigerians include Payoneer and PayPal, which you can link to your Upwork account.

3. What if I don’t have a government-issued ID?

Upwork requires a government-issued ID for verification. If you don’t have one, you might not be able to complete the verification process. In this case, check with Upwork’s support to see if there are any alternative documents you can provide.

4. Can I work on Upwork without verifying my account?

Technically, you can create an account and bid on some projects without full verification, but having a verified account is essential for building trust with clients and accessing more opportunities. It’s best to complete the verification as soon as possible.

5. Will Upwork verify my account automatically?

No, Upwork does not verify accounts automatically. You’ll need to manually submit the required documents for verification through your account settings.