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Philippines launches new visa programme to attract digital nomads
The new initiative allows remote foreign workers to live temporarily in the country while boosting the local economy
- PUBLISHED: Sun 27 Apr 2025, 10:13 AM
Remote workers seeking a new destination now have another option: the Philippines. Under a newly launched visa programme, the country aims to attract digital nomads — foreign nationals who work remotely for employers or clients based outside the Philippines — offering them the opportunity to live temporarily while contributing to the local economy.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. authorised the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to issue Digital Nomad Visas to eligible non-immigrant foreigners. The directive, outlined in Executive Order (EO) No. 86, was signed on April 24, 2025.
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“The DFA is hereby authorised to issue Digital Nomad Visas to non-immigrant foreigners who desire to enter and/or stay in the country for a temporary period for the purpose of working remotely using digital technologies, and whose clients or employers are situated outside the Philippines,” the president stated in the EO.
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To support the initiative, the DFA will coordinate with the Department of Justice, the Department of Tourism, the Bureau of Immigration, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue. These agencies are tasked with developing measures to ensure the program's successful implementation and maintaining a database of Digital Nomad Visa holders, in compliance with the Data Privacy Act.
Who are the digital nomads?
Digital nomads are professionals who work remotely and frequently move between different places while working. They commonly set up in co-working spaces, cafés, or public libraries, relying on internet access and mobile devices to stay connected. This lifestyle offers the flexibility to work from virtually anywhere.
What are the requirements?
Applicants must meet several requirements to qualify for the Digital Nomad Visa:
Be at least 18 years old
Show proof of remote work and sufficient income from outside the Philippines
Have no criminal record
Possess valid health insurance for the duration of their stay
Be a citizen of a country that grants Digital Nomad Visas to Filipinos and where the Philippines maintains a Foreign Service Post
Must not pose a threat to Philippine security
Must not be employed within the Philippines
The move positions the Philippines as the latest country to tap into the growing global trend of remote work, joining a list of nations already offering similar visas to attract mobile professionals.