What you should know about the Philippines' nomad visa

The Philippines is positioning itself as a serious contender in the remote work revolution with the newly introduced Digital Nomad Visa.
While locations like Siargao and Boracay have long attracted remote professionals on tourist visas, structural limitations—ranging from patchy internet to bureaucratic hurdles—have historically capped the country’s appeal as a long-term base for digital nomads. That’s changing.
On 24 February 2025, Senator Joel Villanueva filed Senate Bill No. 2991—the Digital Nomad Visa Act. Just two months later, on 24 April, it was signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Applications are expected to open by 23 June 2025.
Bringing the global workforce to the Philippines
The Digital Nomad Visa offers qualified foreign nationals the right to live and work remotely from the Philippines for up to one year, with the option to renew for a second. Holders may freely enter and exit during this period, making it a flexible arrangement for location-independent professionals.
One of the visa's most appealing features is its tax treatment. Digital nomads will not be considered tax residents in the Philippines, meaning income earned from overseas sources will not be taxed locally. This removes one of the most common points of friction in cross-border remote work and provides clarity for employers overseeing distributed teams.
This visa is aimed squarely at individuals who earn exclusively from overseas sources. The objective is clear: attract foreign spenders who inject capital into the local economy without competing for domestic jobs.
Key eligibility criteria
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Hold a valid passport
- Earn income solely from foreign employers or clients
- Show proof of income (thresholds to be confirmed)
- Provide contracts or agreements as evidence of remote work
- Have no criminal record in their country of residence
- Maintain valid health insurance for the full duration of stay
- Be a citizen of a country that offers reciprocal digital nomad privileges and has diplomatic relations with the Philippines
Applications will include a police clearance, financial documentation, and a completed visa form. The process is expected to be primarily online, with in-person visits only where required.
Why digital nomads now?
The Philippines ranks 7th among the world’s fastest-growing remote work hubs—this visa is a calculated effort to build on that momentum. With this visa, the country joins a growing number of nations courting the digital workforce as a strategic response to global trends accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the past few years, over 50 countries from Portugal to Indonesia have rolled out digital nomad visas to attract foreign talent and spending. Of these, 40% exempt foreign income from local taxes and 75% offer application processes that can be completed online, typically within 30 days.
The global appetite is certainly there. In the United States alone, 18 million workers identified as digital nomads in 2024—up 147% from 2019. The World Economic Forum estimates that by 2030, there will be 90 million digital jobs globally. These professionals are highly mobile, tech-savvy, and actively seeking lifestyle-aligned destinations.
Southeast Asia’s competitive visa landscape
Within the region, competition is heating up. Thailand’s 10-year Long-Term Resident Visa, Malaysia’s DE Rantau Nomad Pass, and Indonesia’s Bali initiatives have already set a high bar. South Korea and Japan have entered the field as well—offering everything from general remote work schemes to niche visas tailored for cultural niches like K-pop enthusiasts.
The Philippines is arriving later than some, but brings distinctive strengths to the table: a high level of English fluency, close cultural ties with Western countries, and a strong expat presence.
The Philippines offers a compelling blend of workability and lifestyle. Cities like Cebu and Davao boast a cost of living 50%–70% lower than San Francisco or London, with digital nomads able to live comfortably on $1,000–$1,500 a month.
It’s also conveniently located in the GMT+8 time zone, aligning well with business hours in Australia, Singapore, and much of East Asia. Major hubs now offer fibre-optic internet and co-working facilities, and vibrant digital nomad communities are already forming in locations like Baguio, Dumaguete, and Palawan.
Tourism in the Philippines has yet to fully rebound. In 2024, the country welcomed 5.6 million visitors—well short of its 7.7 million target. The government is betting that digital nomads, who tend to stay longer and spend more, can help bridge the gap. By extending permissible stays from the typical 30–60 days to a full year, the new visa aims to boost local economies more sustainably than short-term tourism ever could.
What’s Still Pending?
While the framework is largely in place, a few details remain unresolved:
- The minimum income threshold is yet to be announced
- It’s unclear whether dependents will be eligible
- Processing fees and timelines have not been confirmed
Also, interested applicants should be mindful that the visa does not offer a path to permanent residency and is unlikely to do so.