1. Access the API Key Request Form
You can request your API key through the official Upwork Developer portal:
👉 https://www.upwork.com/developer/keys/apply
Once there, you’ll see a form titled "Request API Key" - this is where you’ll fill in details about your project.
2. Fill Out the Key Request Form
When applying, complete the following fields:
Field | Example |
Title | AI Messenger |
Type | Web Project |
Callback URL | **request from your account manager** (can be changed later) |
Project Description | Describe what your application does and how it uses Upwork data. |
Representative Email | The email associated with your Upwork account |
4. Possible reasons why Upwork denies or disables API Keys
Incomplete or invalid profile / account data
Upwork requires that your account profile is “complete” when applying. If you have missing or incorrect name, address, profile picture, etc., your API key request may be rejected.Lack of clarity or insufficient description of your intended API use
When you request an API key, you must provide a description of how you intend to use the API (e.g. internal tool, for third parties, etc.). If that description is vague or raises red flags (e.g. commercial use without permission), they may deny your request.Request volume or usage concerns
Upwork expects API users to stay within "reasonable request volume" limits. They may reject applications that seem likely to exceed their usage thresholds.
Also, Upwork enforces rate limits in their API (e.g. 10 requests/sec or 300 per minute per IP) and violations may lead to disabling a key.Suspicious account history or insufficient activity / track record
Several community reports claim that Upwork sometimes rejects API key requests citing “account history.” For example, a user said support told them: “rejected due to your account history … continue to complete contracts.” Reddit
Another user reported: “I applied for an API key for private use, and again got declined. Reasoning: I have not many contracts on the platform (1 as of now).” Reddit
Useful resources & Community discussions
💬 Reddit: Getting an API key for personal use is (almost) impossible - users discuss repeated API key rejections and lack of clear approval criteria.
💬 Reddit: Was anyone able to get an Upwork API key? - a long thread exploring success stories and rejection reasons.
💬 Reddit: Upwork API - general experiences and technical limitations - overview of API reliability and scope issues.
💬 Reddit: API key application rejected - what am I missing? - a user’s rejected application analyzed by the community.
⚙️ n8n Community: OAuth2 Upwork connection failing after one day - discussion about Upwork OAuth token expiration and integration challenges.
Scope / permission mismatch
Even if the key is approved, it must have the correct scopes/permissions to access certain endpoints. If your key lacks the required permissions, you may be denied access to certain API functionalities.
3. Select API Usage and Permissions
When prompted, choose the appropriate API usage volume - 500+ and enable the following permissions:
✅ Activity Entities - Read-Only Access
✅ Client Proposals – Read and Write Access
✅ Common Entities – Read-Only Access
✅ Job Postings – Read-Only Access
✅ Messaging – Read-Only Access
✅ Messaging – Read and Write Access
These permissions give your application the ability to manage messages and proposals within your internal system.
4. Verify Your Identity
Upwork requires identity verification for API access.
Your Upwork profile address must match the address shown on your passport or bank statement.
You can use one of the following documents:
Passport (follow Upwork’s upload instructions)
Bank statement or utility bill with your full name and address (PDF format, typically one page)
⚠️ Important: Upwork API identity verification does not accept documents from digital banks.
Ukrainian 🇺🇦 Banks that usually provide suitable statements:
Ukrsibbank
Kredobank
A-Bank
You can also generate a suitable statement using the @GASUA_bot on Telegram.
💬 Tip: The statement doesn’t need to cover a full period - only your name and address are required. (We can provide a screenshot of such a document upon request.)
5. After Submission
Once submitted, your request will be reviewed by Upwork’s Developer team.
You’ll be notified by email once your API key is approved or if they require additional information.
You can track and manage your API keys directly from your developer dashboard:
👉 https://www.upwork.com/developer/keys