The move is expected to boost tourism activities and increase visitor spending even during off-peak seasons.
Over the past five years or so, digital nomad visas have seen a steady rise in popularity. Its appeal, especially among the younger workforce, stems largely from the chance to work in another destination of your own choosing, be it amid verdant mountains or by a white-sand beach.
According to Forbes, digital nomad visas have also become a popular economic tool for countries to attract self-employed or remote salaried workers who are allowed to live in the country for a period of time, boosting consumption and the local economy, without threatening the jobs of its citizens.
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As proof of its increasing popularity, roughly half of the world’s countries offered digital nomad visas for up to one year as of 2023, according to a UN Tourism report. It found that roughly 40% of the destinations exempt digital nomads from tax payments and 17% do not have minimum income requirements. Additionally, there’s less red tape as three quarters of destinations offering digital nomad visas have online applications with processing times of less than one month.
In 2024, Asian neighbors Japan, Thailand, and South Korea launched their digital nomad visas. Indonesia and Malaysia also have their own iterations of the said visa. The Philippines, meanwhile, is also set to hop on the trend. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed on April 24 Executive Order No. 86, authorizing the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to issue digital nomad visas to non-immigrant foreigners planning to visit and work remotely in the country, reports the state-run Philippine News Agency.
This move is seen to boost tourism activities and increase visitor spending even during off-peak seasons, especially with the Philippines falling 23% short of its annual target of 7.7 million in 2024.
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“Not only do digital nomads help mitigate seasonal fluctuations in tourism by visiting during off-peak times and providing a more steady economic flow, but these types of international visitors also bring diverse perspectives and cultures, enriching our host communities,” Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said.
Among the popular “workation” destinations in the country are Boracay, Siargao, Cebu, Palawan, and La Union, according to the Department of Tourism.
Per the DOT, foreigners eligible for this type of visa must be:
- At least 18 years old;
- Must show proof of remote work using digital technology;
- Must show proof of sufficient income generated outside the Philippines;
- Must show proof of no criminal record;
- Must have health insurance valid for the period of the digital nomad visa;
- Must be a national of a country that offers digital nomad visas to Filipinos and where the Philippines has a Foreign Service Post;
- Must not pose a threat to the internal or external security of the Philippines; and
- Must not be employed in the Philippines.
Its pilot implementation will begin within 60 days from the effectivity of the order. Foreigners who qualify for the program may stay in the country for a maximum of one year. The visa can be renewed for the same duration and the holder may be granted multiple entry privileges during the validity of their digital nomad visas.
The Forbes article said that the Philippines is an appealing destination for digital nomads because English is widely recognized as a second language in the country and that the cost of living is relatively low, even in cities. It added that internet penetration is satisfactory at about 90% and popular digital nomad destinations have easy access to the country’s stunning beaches.
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