What forms of payment does Elance accept?  

Clients may use their MasterCard, Visa, American Express, PayPal or  Elance Account balance to pay freelancers.

Credit Card: Clients in certain countries can pay a freelancer with a Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit card through Elance.

PayPal: Clients who have a PayPal account can use PayPal to fund payments through the Elance system. Note: it is a violation of Elance terms to pay a freelancer directly using PayPal. 

Elance Account: Clients located in U.S. may fund their Elance Account with a check or Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfer. Clients outside the U.S. may fund their account with a wire transfer.

How to add a credit card?

Elance accepts MasterCard, Visa and American ExpressTo add a credit card, or PayPal account to your Elance account, please log in to your Elance account and follow the steps below:

1. Click on the Manage tab in the top navigation and then select Financial Accounts from the drop down list.
2. Click on the Enter New Credit Card button.
3. Enter your credit card details details.
4. Review your credit card details and click Continue.
5. You will see a confirmation message.  Once added, the new credit card will become your primary  payment method.

In some cases, you might be required to authenciate your credit card.  For more information on the authenciation process, click here.  

How to I add my PayPal Account?  

To add a your PayPal account as a payment method, please log in to your Elance account and follow the steps below:

1. Click on the Manage tab in the top navigation and then select Financial Accounts from the drop down list.
2. Click on the New PayPal Account button.
3. You will be directed to log in to PayPal to confirm that your account is valid by agreeing to a billing agreement with Elance. PayPal will require you to have a payment source, such as a credit card, on file in order sign the agreement.  Click on the Agree and Continue button.
4. You will see a confirmation message.  Once added, the new PayPal will become your primary  payment method. 

How do I fund my Elance account?

Clients also have the option to fund their Elance Account in order to pay freelancers.  Clients located in the United States can fund their account via a check or Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfer. Clients outside the U.S. may fund their account with a wire transfer.

Add Funds By Sending a Check

To add funds to your account via check, follow the steps below:

1. Make your check payable to: 'Elance, Inc.'
2. On the check, include your username and Elance Account Number. Your Elance Account Number is displayed at the top of your Account Activity page beginning with the letters 'EL' and followed by a string of numbers.
3. Mail the check to:

Elance, Inc.
441 Logue Ave, Suite 150
Mountain View, CA 94043

Your check will be posted to your 'available balance' as soon as possible, but time elapsed may vary depending on your location.

Note: Your check MUST be in U.S. dollars and drawn on a bank physically located within the United States.

Add Funds Using ACH

ACH (Automated Clearing House) is a payment network that allows you to electronically transfer funds from one U.S. Bank to another U.S. Bank.

To add funds to your account, follow the steps below:

1. Contact your bank for specific information about arranging an ACH  transfer from your bank directly to Elance's bank.
2. Make the transfer payable to Elance, and include your username and Elance Account Number in the reference area. Your Elance Account Number is displayed at the top of your Account Activity page beginning with the letters 'EL' and followed by a string of numbers.
3. Send your ACH transfer by providing your bank with the following information: 

Beneficiary/Recipient Name: Elance
Recipient Address:

Elance
441 Logue Ave.
Mountain View, CA 94043

To: US Bank 
980 9th Street 
Sacramento, CA 95814

ABA number (U.S. only): 121122676

Account number: 1534-9534-6352

Amount: (Enter transfer amount.)

Reference Area: (Enter your Elance username and Account Number)

Add Funds by a Wire Transfer

Elance can accept wire transfers to deposit to your Elance Account in any currency.  Funds sent in other currencies will be converted into U.S. dollars upon receipt to our Merchant Bank. There can be currency fluctuations that may occur during the transfer of funds.  Transfers will be processed according to the relevant exchange rate on the day funds are received by Elance's Merchant Bank. In order to get the best exchange rate, notify your bank that the funds are going to a U.S. account.  Take into account your bank's wire transfer fees and exchange rates, as they will deduct their fees prior to sending them to Elance's Merchant Bank.

To add funds to your account via wire transfer, follow the steps below:

1. Contact your bank for specific information about arranging a wire transfer from your bank directly to Elance and our merchant bank. In order to get the best exchange rate, notify your bank that the funds are going to a U.S. Dollar account.
2. Make the transfer payable to Elance, and include your username and Elance Account Number in the reference area. Your Elance Account Number is displayed at the top of your Account Activity page beginning with the letters 'EL' and followed by a string of numbers.
3. Request the wire transfer from your bank and provide the following information:

Beneficiary/Recipient Name:     Elance
Recipient Address:    

Elance, Inc.
441 Logue Ave.
Mountain View, CA 94043

To:   

US Bank
60 Livingston
St. Paul, MN 55107
       
FedWire Routing number:      091000022
SWIFT number (U.S. or Int'l):     USBKUS44IMT
Account number:     1534-9534-6352
Amount:     (Enter transfer amount)
Reference Area:     (Enter your Elance username and Account Number)