Project Onboarding

This guide comprehensively details each phase of the Mercor offer onboarding process — from the receipt of your contract to configuring payments and recording time.

1. Access Your Offer

New offers are presented as a significant task within the Offers tab on your dashboard. Please click on ‘View Offer’ to initiate the process. Once you engage with the checklist or accept the offer, it will also be displayed in the Contracts tab.

If you are unable to view your offer, please attempt a hard refresh (⇧+Cmd/Ctrl+R), re-login, or try accessing via a different browser.If the issue persists, kindly contact [email protected] with your listing link, email address, and a screenshot for further assistance.

2. Offer Page Overview

Prior to finalizing the checklist, please review the offer panel located on the left side.

Title & contract type at the top (e.g., Hourly contract; Received on).
Onboarding document — read this first; it lists project POCs, Slack/Airtable access, and special instructions.
Payments block — your Hourly pay and Weekly cap, plus payout schedule table.
Offer details — start date, remote status, payout cadence.
Documents section — where signed files (ToW, CIIA, W‑9/W‑8, Offer Letter) will appear for download.
Checklist (right side) — you’ll complete these items to unlock Accept offer.

3. Offer Acceptance Process

Okta account (New)

Some projects now use Okta for secure single sign-on (SSO) access to tools like Slack. When you see “Okta Account” as the first checklist item, click it to begin. Use your personal email (same as on work.mercor.com), create a password, and complete multi-factor authentication (MFA). Once set up, you can access all project applications directly through your Okta dashboard.

ID Verification Check

Mercor uses Persona to securely verify your identity when accepting a new offer. This process is mandatory and completed only once. You’ll upload a government-issued ID and take a selfie video for facial recognition.

Click 'Start Verification'

Found in the ID Verification checklist item in your offer flow.

Begin Verifying

You’ll be redirected to Persona’s secure interface.

Upload Your Government ID

Please capture a clear photograph of the front, and the back if necessary. Ensure that the image is well-lit and free from glare. A valid government-issued identification must be presented to proceed.

Take a Selfie

Record a short video, turning your face left and right.

Continue on Another Device (Optional)

You can switch to your phone using a QR code or secure email link.

Submit and Finish

Persona will process the submission. Once verified, a green checkmark will appear and the step will be marked as complete.

Photo Tips

• Place ID on a dark flat surface
• Avoid glare or backlight
• Make sure all corners are visible
• Slowly move ID to focus if blurry

Selfie Tips

• Use a well-lit space
• Center your face
• Follow instructions to turn head left/right

Start Background Check

Please select your country of residence. Background checks typically take between one and two weeks. You must be cleared prior to commencing work or logging hours.

Sign Terms of Work (ToW)

Please click on “View Terms of Work”, then sign using your full name and the date.

Sign Confidentiality Agreement (CIIAA)

Please sign the IP/confidentiality agreement. Contact support if a reset is required.

Complete Tax Form (W‑9 or W‑8BEN)

Please complete the form applicable to your residency.

Complete Insightful Setup

Select the checklist item and adhere to the instructions to install the application.

Acknowledge Payout Policies

Review the payout schedule and anticipated payment timelines.

Sign Offer Letter

This becomes available once the preceding steps have been completed.

Set Up Payments

Stripe is set as the default option. Wise is utilized in certain regions. If necessary, please reset and repeat the onboarding process.

If you inadvertently decline an offer, please contact Support with your listing link and email.

Take a screenshot of your offer (rate + cap) before accepting. If anything is missing, try a hard refresh (⇧+Cmd/Ctrl+R).

4. Setting Up Your Payment Method

Click Setup Payments

Initiate the payment setup process from the offer page.

Complete Stripe onboarding

Enter the legal name, country, and banking details.

Fallback to Wise (if needed)

If Stripe is unavailable in your country, Wise will be utilized.

Verify email

Please confirm your Stripe or Wise account via email if prompted.

Your initial payout through Stripe is subject to a mandatory hold period of 7 days. The deposit to your bank account typically requires 3 to 7 business days following the payment confirmation by Stripe.

Ensure that the identical legal name is consistently used across the Offer, Stripe/Wise, and your bank account.

5. Background Checks

Watch for invite

You will receive an email from the background check provider (e.g., Certn).

Complete the form within 48h

Please do not delay, as a background check is mandatory.

Typical turnaround

Results will be available within 5 to 7 business days, contingent upon the recipient’s country.

Please check your spam and “updates” folders in your personal email account. If your check is delayed beyond seven business days, kindly contact [email protected] and [email protected] with your report ID.