Can I redirect an Upwork withdrawal after it's been sent to Payoneer?

No. Once Upwork releases the withdrawal, the transfer completes and cannot be redirected or cancelled. You can only change the destination for future payouts by editing your default payment method in Upwork Settings → Get Paid.

Can Upwork cancel a withdrawal in progress?

Upwork support cannot cancel a withdrawal once it's been released. If the withdrawal is still queued (instant or scheduled but not yet released), contact support immediately via the help center — but this is rare and time-sensitive.

Can Payoneer refund the money back to Upwork?

Payoneer does not reverse completed Upwork payouts. The funds will sit in your Payoneer balance and you can withdraw them from there to your bank or to Wise (the cheapest route for UK/EU freelancers).

What's the cheapest way to move Payoneer USD to a UK bank account?

Payoneer → Wise is typically cheapest. Transfer USD from Payoneer to your Wise USD balance (free ACH where available, small flat fee otherwise), then convert at 0.41% FX on Wise. Total cost on $1,000 is roughly $4 vs $20+ via Payoneer's own 2% FX.

How do I change my default Upwork withdrawal method?

Upwork → Settings → Get Paid → Add new method → verify → Set as primary. The next scheduled payout will use the new method. Existing in-flight withdrawals are not affected.

Cancel or Reverse an Upwork Withdrawal to Payoneer? [2026]

Short answer: usually no, once Upwork has sent it

You cannot redirect, cancel, or reverse an Upwork withdrawal once Upwork has released it to Payoneer. The transfer is irreversible — Upwork support cannot pull it back, and Payoneer will not refund a completed payout. What you can do is withdraw the funds from Payoneer to your bank or to Wise (cheaper FX), and change your default method in Upwork settings so this doesn't happen on the next payout.

Why Upwork Can't Redirect a Payout

Upwork batches and releases withdrawals to the partner network (Payoneer, J.P. Morgan ACH, direct bank). Once released:

Upwork's obligation ends — the money is with Payoneer
Payoneer then credits your balance (instant to a few hours)
There is no API or support path to cancel or reroute the payment

This applies even if you changed your default method mid-batch. The scheduled payout uses whichever method was primary at the time of release.

What to Do Now (If the Money Already Landed in Payoneer)

You have three realistic options. The cheapest depends on how you want to use the money:

Option 1 — Payoneer → Wise (cheapest for USD → GBP/EUR)

In Payoneer, go to Withdraw → To bank account
Add your Wise USD account details (Wise gives you a US routing + account number)
Transfer USD to Wise (free ACH in most cases, small flat fee otherwise)
In Wise, convert USD → GBP at 0.41% mid-market FX
Withdraw to your UK bank

Total cost on $1,000: ~$4 (vs ~$20 if you converted in Payoneer at 2% FX).

Option 2 — Payoneer Prepaid Mastercard

Free to use for spending, but terrible for large withdrawals (ATM limits + 1–3% FX). Only worth it for small day-to-day spend.

Option 3 — Payoneer → Local Bank (direct)

UK: £1.50 flat + 2% FX markup
US: $1.50 flat, no FX needed if you want USD in a US bank
EU: €1.50 flat + 2% FX

Convenient but expensive vs the Wise route for anything over ~$200.

How to Change Your Default for Future Payouts

Upwork → Settings → Get Paid
Click Add a method
Pick Direct to UK Bank (via J.P. Morgan ACH, $0.99 fee, no FX because it pays in USD to a multi-currency account) — or add your Wise USD details directly here
Verify the new method (small test deposit takes 1–2 days)
Click Set as primary

The next scheduled payout will use the new method. Upwork payout frequency is configurable (daily / weekly / every 2 weeks / monthly) under the same page.

The Cheapest Long-Term Setup for UK Freelancers

Based on our fee analysis:

Upwork → Wise USD (direct bank transfer, $0.99 fee, no Payoneer middleman)
Hold USD in Wise until you need GBP
Convert at Wise's 0.41% FX on the day the rate is favourable

Annual saving vs Upwork → Payoneer → UK bank: roughly £150–£300 per £20k earned, most of it in FX.

This guide was last updated April 2026. Upwork fee rules and Payoneer policies can change — always check both platforms for the latest terms.

Affiliate disclosure: feebite earns a commission if you sign up to a platform via our links. This does not affect our editorial ratings or opinions.

Related articles