Direct Bank Transfer - FAQ

• How do payments via Direct Bank Transfer work?

Once Direct Bank Transfer is set as the payout method for your contract, your approved earnings will be sent directly to the bank account you connected.

For hourly contracts, payments are processed according to the platform’s regular billing cycle. For fixed-price contracts, funds are transferred once a milestone is funded and released.

The payment will then be deposited into your bank account based on the selected transfer method and standard processing times.

• Which option should I choose - SEPA or SWIFT

Choose SEPA if your bank account is located within the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) and you are receiving payments in euros. The SEPA zone includes all European Union countries, as well as several additional countries such as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, among others.

Choose SWIFT if your bank account is located outside the SEPA zone, or if the transfer does not meet SEPA requirements. SWIFT is used for international bank transfers worldwide.

• In the SWIFT option, which option should I choose - OUR or SHA?

When selecting SWIFT, you will be asked to choose between OUR and SHA. This determines how transfer fees are handled.

Choose OUR if you want the sender to cover all transfer-related fees. With this option, you receive the full payout amount in your bank account.

Choose SHA if you prefer to share the transfer fees. In this case, intermediary or receiving bank fees may be deducted before the funds reach your account.

Additional charges may apply depending on your bank’s policies. If you are unsure which option is best for you, we recommend checking with your bank to understand how incoming international transfers are handled.

• I have already verified my ID. Why do I have to do it again?

Identity verification is required to comply with financial regulations, including anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) requirements.

These safeguards help ensure secure transactions and protect both contractors and clients.

• If I have verified my ID during the bank transfer payout process, do I need to verify it again in my personal settings?

No! By verifying your ID during the bank transfer setup process, your profile will be automatically verified.

• Do I have to pay any fees to receive my money?

Fees depend on the transfer method selected and your bank’s policies.

SEPA transfers generally do not involve additional receiving fees. For SWIFT transfers, fees may apply depending on the option selected (OUR or SHA) and whether intermediary or receiving banks charge for incoming international transfers.

We recommend checking with your bank to understand any potential incoming transfer fees that may apply to your account.

• How long does it take for the funds to be available in my bank account?

Funds usually arrive within 1–3 business days for SEPA transfers and 3–5 business days for SWIFT transfers, depending on your bank and country.

Please note that processing times may vary depending on your bank and intermediary banks. Business days do not include weekends or public holidays.

• How can I know the Direct Bank Transfer payments are associated with my job?

To check, go to the My Jobs - Active Contracts page, open the job, and click the “Job and Client Details” tab. Under Payout method, you’ll see the payout method associated with that job. 

• Can I change the payout option back to my previous method?

You can change the payout method by selecting an option from the drop-down menu. Please note that you can only switch between options if they were previously set up on your Billing - Account details page.

• Can I use different payout methods for different contracts?

Yes. You can assign different payout methods to each active contract.

You can also change the payout method for a contract at any time. The newly selected method will apply only to future transactions.

• Why didn’t my new payout method apply to a recent payment?

If a payout (for hourly contracts) or a milestone (for fixed-price contracts) was already processed or funded before you changed your payout method, it will remain linked to the previous method.

Changes only apply to future payments.

• Can I use someone else’s bank account?

No. The bank account must belong to you and match the name and proof of address provided during identity verification.

 

Learn how to set up your bank account to receive payments via Direct Bank Transfer.