Identity verification

Upwork describes the badge as a blue check mark that "lets anyone who sees your profile know" Upwork has taken steps to verify who you are. You start it from Account settings, Identity Verification, by selecting Spend 35 Connects, and you must finish the verification within seven days. If you do not, the Connects are not refunded and you start again. They are also not refunded if you fail for any other reason, and paid attempts follow Upwork's general refund policy.

When it is required. Not always. To apply to jobs open only to U.S. or U.K. freelancers, you must verify and buy the badge; without it you can still apply to most other jobs. The badge is also one of the conditions for Rising Talent.

How long it lasts. The badge is valid for three years. Renewing it means re-verifying, and a renewal purchase or Connects deduction may apply. Upwork may ask for extra verification during the three years, and those requests cost no Connects. The badge should appear within three business days of a successful check.

Two different things share the name. The paid badge is optional and proactive. Separately, Upwork can require any account to verify its identity for platform security, and clients cannot verify until Upwork asks. A completed security check is not the same as having bought the badge.

The badge is not one of Upwork's talent badges, which reward track record rather than identity.

How Upsight uses it. Upsight's profile score reads the identity badge where the public profile shows it. Phone verification does not appear on the profile, so Upsight records it as not measurable rather than as missing, and never tells a verified freelancer to verify.