Dec 25, 2017 09:39:43 PM by Emily F
Hi there,
I'm trying to register for Upwork. My permanent address is in the United States, but I am living in China until July 2018. I don't have a US phone number, but I do have a Chinese one. When I got to the address field, for some reason United States is auto-selected and greyed out - it will not let me change it to China. I figured that was fine since my permanent address is there, but then when I got to the phone verification step it would not let me change the country code from +1 (US) to +86 (China). So I am stuck on this step. I can't figure out how to change the country or the phone code, and can't seem to go any further without verifying my phone. I've tried it with VPN off and with VPN on set to Hong Kong. Any help?
Thanks!
Emily
Dec 25, 2017 11:19:19 PM by Avery O
Hi Emily,
I checked your account and it looks like when you registered your account, you were still in the United States which is why the address auto-populated US in the address field.
If you are not permanently staying in China, there is no need to update your address. However, I would suggest that you inform your clients that you are currently travelling and you are in a different location for transparency's sake.
Dec 25, 2017 11:27:45 PM by Emily F
Hi Avery,
I was in China when I registered the account, but my VPN defaults to America so that is likely why it autopopulated that way. The problem is, I do not have an American phone number anymore and with the address field set to America it will not let me change the country code to verify my phone number and move on to the next step. Is there a way to change the country code (currently defaulting to +1) to China (+86) so that I can verify and continue the registration process? As I said, I've tried continuing the process with the VPN off and with it on set to Hong Kong and neither have allowed me to change the country or the phone country code. Alternatively, is there a way I can continue the registration process without verifying a phone number?
Thanks for your help!
Dec 26, 2017 12:32:23 AM by Avery O
Thanks for sharing this, Emily. I'll check this with the team and I will get back to you with more information.
Dec 26, 2017 08:02:10 PM by Avery O
Hi Emily,
Could you send a screen grab where the country is greyed out and you're unable to change the country? Please make sure that all other personal information are blacked out. Thank you!
Dec 26, 2017 10:57:54 PM by Avery O
Thanks, Emily. I'll go ahead and share this with the team!
Jan 4, 2018 11:40:53 PM by Emily F
Sorry for the delay in response, I didn't realize that the team had changed my location to China. I tried finishing out my application today, but whenever I clicked "Review and Submit" it redirected me to the application page. I didn't see any red markers to indicate I had entered anything wrong. It would not allow me to enter my current town as my location (I imagine Google doesn't recognize it because in China small towns are called "counties") so I selected the nearest big city to me. Not sure why it keeps redirecting me. Would it expedite the process to simply delete the account and try again, or to try signing up with a different email? I've included a screenshot of the page it keeps redirecting me to.
Aug 16, 2018 01:11:48 PM by Joshua W
Hello,
I am facing the very same issues while trying to sign up and was wondering if you would be able to help.
Thank you,
Josh
Aug 16, 2018 07:10:29 PM by Joshua W
Aug 16, 2018 07:10:59 PM by Joshua W
Yes, I was using a VPN. So, what would be the best way to handle this situation?
Aug 17, 2018 01:25:17 AM by Avery O
Hi Joshua,
It looks like you've typed-in your address already, and you are being requested to complete a phone verification. Once you've completed your phone verification, you should be able to continue using your account.
Aug 18, 2018 03:50:29 AM by Joshua W
Aug 18, 2018 07:30:19 AM by Joanne P
Hi Joshua,
A member of our team will reach out to you via email to assist you directly. Thanks!
Jan 12, 2019 01:56:31 PM by Jessica T
I am having a similar problem. However, I am currently in the Unite States but will be located in China in a few months and wanted to create my account located in China. Is there any way that I can register an account in China while being in United States?
Jan 12, 2019 02:23:34 PM by Bojan S
Hi Jessica,
If you are traveling and are away from your country of residence temporarily, you don’t need to update your location. If it does raise any flags on our end, the team will reach out to you directly. If however, you are going to be away for an extended period, such as moving some place, then you should make updates to your account location. Please make sure you have an appropriate visa type or permit to work in a country you are situated in and pay taxes accordingly. You may need to consult with a legal advisor about it.
Jan 16, 2019 05:45:36 AM by Jessica T
So, I do need a working visa if only working online outside of my home country?
Jan 16, 2019 06:13:11 AM by Goran V
Hi Jessica,
Please consult yourself with a local specialist where you will be staying if you need any official documents in order to be able to work on Upwork. Thank you.
Jan 17, 2019 05:20:50 AM by Martina P
Jessica T wrote:So, I do need a working visa if only working online outside of my home country?
Even if you work online and perform services for a person or company in a different country or continent, you are still a natural person physically being in a specific country, and this is what counts when it comes to your visa, work permit, tax liabilities, etc.
As these are highly sensitive matters, upwork will never tell you what you are allowed to do, or prohibited from doing regarding these subjects.
Jan 17, 2019 09:13:57 AM by Itahisa C
Hi,
I'm having a similar problem. I can't finish my profile as I don't live in the USA and don't have a +1 number. Can anyone assist me?
Thanks in advance.
Jan 17, 2019 09:16:57 AM by Goran V
Hi Itahisa,
Your location needs to represent where are you currently located. Feel free to share whit me where you`re located now and I will update your country, thank you.
Jan 17, 2019 09:20:41 AM by Itahisa C
Hi Goran,
Yes, I've been trying to find a way to change it. My current location is Barbados, can you please update it?
Many thanks!
Jan 17, 2019 09:59:13 AM by Goran V
Hi Itahisa,
I`ve updated your country, feel free to update the rest of your address. Thank you.
Nov 19, 2019 12:29:41 AM by Andrea J
I have the same problem as the OP. I chose the United Kingdom when I registered thinking that this would show as part of my profile and reflect my nationality, however, I am currently based in China and stuck on Step 9 of the application process as I can't change the country location to match my address and phone number. I'm hoping that I too can be helped ... pretty please 🙂
Nov 19, 2019 12:55:27 AM by Goran V
Hi Andrea,
Your country is now updated, feel free to continue with your application when you`re ready. Thank you.
Jan 9, 2020 05:12:11 AM by Don B
Hi,
I'm having a similar issue. I attempted to register from the United Kingdom but when I get to the location step "United States" is pre-selected and greyed out so I can't select my address or phone number. I'm not using a VPN and I selected "United Kingdom" on the first step of the registration process so not sure what's happened?
Is it possible to correct the country on my account?
Thanks,
Don
Jan 9, 2020 05:32:53 AM by Goran V
Hi Don,
I checked your account and confirm that the United Kingdom is listed as your country. Thank you.
Jan 9, 2020 05:50:46 AM by Don B
I've attached a screenshot of what I'm seeing. I can't see how to change the country or select a UK address. Can you see what I'm doing wrong?
Thanks
Jan 9, 2020 05:55:23 AM by Goran V
Hi Don,
One of our team members will reach out to you via ticket as soon as possible and assist you further with your account. Thank you.
Apr 16, 2020 08:30:16 PM by Steven A
hi Goran,
I live in China as well. I'm trying to input my Shanghai address. But I can't move from United Kingdom. It's greyed out.
I see other people have had this problem and it was changed from your end. Is it possible to do it for me thanks.
Steven
Apr 17, 2020 01:16:51 AM by Avery O
Hi Steven,
The team will reach out to you with more information about your account.