Marcos greenlights DFA to issue Digital Nomad Visas
Digital nomads, the Philippines is officially open as your new remote work destination.
The country is welcoming remote workers after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. authorized the Department of Foreign Affairs to issue Digital Nomad Visas.
Signed on April 24, Executive Order No. 86 cited the World Economic Forum, saying that the Philippines ranked as the 7th fastest-growing remote work hub country in the world in 2023.
It also recognizes the growing trend of remote work and the potential of digital nomads to significantly contribute to the country's tourism sector and the overall economy.
This decision establishes a clear pathway for foreign nationals who wish to temporarily reside in the Philippines while continuing their remote work for employers or clients based overseas.
According to the EO, foreigners applying for DNV must comply with the following:
- Must be at least 18 years of age;
- Must show proof of remote work using digital technology;
- Must show proof of sufficient income which is generated outside the Philippines;
- Must show proof of no criminal record:
- Must have health insurance valid for the period of the DNV;
- Must be a national of a country that offers DNVs to Filipinos and where the Philippines has a Foreign Service Post (FSP);
- Must not pose threat to the internal or external security of the Philippines; and
- Must not be employed in the Philippines.
Foreign nationals issued a DNV will be permitted an initial stay in the Philippines for one year. This visa may be renewed for another year, and holders will be granted multiple entry privileges during its active period.
During a July 2024 meeting at Malacañang, the Private Sector Advisory Council for Tourism recommended that Marcos authorize nomad or remote work visas, a proposal he later supported.
In February, Senator Joel Villanueva also proposed the "Digital Nomad Visa Act" (Senate Bill No. 2991), aiming to grant foreign remote workers a special visa allowing them to live and work from the Philippines for one year, with the possibility of a one-year extension.
"Digital nomads spend money and therefore, would benefit the economy. The Philippines is a promising destination for those who embrace a nomadic lifestyle and leverage technology to work remotely from outside their home country," Villanueva said in a statement.
Apart from the Philippines, Asian countries like Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia implement DNVs.
