Will TurboSquid continue to work with contributors from Russia and Belarus?
TurboSquid has paused accepting new contributors from Russia and Belarus as of December 20, 2024, but will continue working with established artists. Due to the challenges of conducting financial operations internationally at the moment, TurboSquid feels that initiating such a pause will be beneficial to everyone. Please be aware: Restrictions implemented are largely influenced by international sanctions, which have caused significant limitations on conducting financial transactions in the region.
For contributors in Russia the only available method for payment is through pre-existing Skrill accounts. For contributors in Belarus the only available method for payment is through pre-existing Payoneer accounts. Skrill and Payoneer are no longer accepting new accounts in Russia or Belarus, and PayPal is unavailable in both regions. These payment providers have ceased operations in these regions due to internationally imposed restrictions, making alternative payment solutions unviable. As a result, contributors who signed up before this restriction was implemented are grandfathered into the system.
Why was my account closed shortly after I signed up?
Since residency can be verified only during account creation, we must close newly created accounts after they have been established. If you are a resident of Russia or Belarus and have opened an account after December 20, 2024, your account will be automatically closed shortly after creation. Please do not upload content to your account, as it will be removed from publication once the account is terminated. Additionally, individuals attempting to register with incorrect country details will be prevented from proceeding as TurboSquid requires accurate location information during account setup.
I signed up before December 20, 2024, will I still be able to work with TurboSquid?
Yes, we will continue working with our established artists from Russia and Belarus. However, please keep in mind the payment challenges mentioned above. We will endeavor to pay our contributors as quickly and efficiently as possible but please keep in mind the continued international financial challenges. While TurboSquid hopes these restrictions are temporary, there is no definitive timeline for when the situation might change. No exceptions can be made to these policies, even for contributors with ties to non-restricted countries, as all regulations are uniformly enforced. TurboSquid requires that all users register with their actual country of residence, and providing false details will prevent account creation.
What if I have questions?
Please reach out to usage@turbosquid.com and we will do our best to answer any follow-up questions.