So, you’ve set up your Upwork profile, polished your portfolio, and you’re ready to work. But wait—why does Upwork say you’re not in the US? Don’t worry, you’re definitely not the only one scratching your head. Let’s break it down in a fun and simple way!
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You Say You’re in the US… But Upwork Disagrees?
This can be super frustrating. Especially if you want to apply for jobs that are only open to freelancers in the United States. The good news? There’s almost always a fix. But before fixing anything, let’s figure out what could be causing this.
Common Reasons Upwork Thinks You’re Not in the US
Here are some of the most likely reasons:
- Your IP address isn’t from the US. Yes, Upwork checks your location through your internet address. If you’re using a VPN or traveling, this could throw it off.
- Your profile is incomplete. Sometimes Upwork can’t verify your location if your profile lacks details like a verified phone number or ID.
- You didn’t select the US as your country during setup. Yep, it matters! A tiny click during sign-up could have said you’re from somewhere else.
- You haven’t verified your location yet. For access to US-only jobs, Upwork often asks for a quick location check.
Still with us? Great! Let’s see how you can fix it.
How to Prove You’re Really in the US
Okay, time for action. Here’s what you can do to make Upwork believe you.
- Turn off VPNs or proxy servers. They could be hiding your location.
- Update your profile with accurate info. Set your country to “United States”. Double-check your address too.
- Verify your location through Upwork’s system. They might ask you to upload a valid US government-issued ID.
- Use a US mobile number. Upwork may send a verification code via text.
Make sure the name on your ID matches your Upwork profile. If anything’s off, Upwork might flag it—so keep details consistent!
ID Verification: What You Need
Upwork usually accepts:
- US passport
- US driver’s license
- US state ID card
Sometimes, they might ask you for a quick video call, just to double-check you’re you. Don’t be nervous—it’s usually super quick.
But What If I’m Traveling?
Good question! If you’re a US citizen but currently outside the US, Upwork might still think you’re not American-based.
In that case, try these:
- Explain your travel situation in a support ticket.
- Provide your US documentation and maybe proof of your current stay abroad.
- Wait for Upwork to review. It might take a day or two.
Still Not Working?
If you’ve tried everything and Upwork still won’t show you as US-based, don’t stress.
Reach out to Upwork’s support team directly. They’re the only ones who can manually review and fix your location issue.
When you contact support, be sure to include:
- A short message explaining the issue.
- A copy of your US ID.
- Proof of address (like a utility bill or bank statement).
Be polite, be detailed, and breathe! You’ve got this.
Wrap-Up: You’re Not Alone!
This is a super common problem, and Upwork usually resolves it with the right info.
So remember:
- Keep your IP and address matching.
- Use real, accurate, and verifiable information.
- Be patient—it can take a bit of time.
If everything is in place, you’ll be applying to those US-only jobs before you know it!
Happy freelancing! 🎉
