Digital Nomad Visa in the Philippines

On July 3, 2024, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. ordered the issuance of nomad visa or remote work visa to offer foreign nationals an opportunity to stay and work in the Philippines, while contributing to the local economy. The Digital Nomad Act or House Bill No. 8165 was proposed by Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco Jose “Bingo” Matugas II in May 2023. However, the nomad visa is NOT YET available in the Philippines.

What is a Digital Nomad Visa?

The digital nomad visa is contemplated to be given to foreign remote workers and digital nomads who work in other countries. With this visa, they may live and work remotely in the country for twelve (12) months and can be renewed for another twelve (12) months. 

What are the Contemplated Requirements for Philippines Digital Nomad Visa?

Under the proposed House Bill No. 8165, a foreign remote worker will be granted a digital nomad visa if he/she is at least eighteen (18) years old and has the following requirements:

• Valid passport

• Health insurance coverage

• Clean criminal record

• Minimum income requirement of US$2,000 per month

• Proof of employment or remote job outside the Philippines

What Countries Offer Digital Nomad Visa?

The following countries offer a digital nomad visa:

*Digital nomad visa was introduced, but not yet implemented

What are the Benefits of Having a Digital Nomad Visa in the Philippines?

In the Philippines, the digital nomad visa was introduced, but NOT YET implemented. However, once it is implemented, its holder may possess the following benefits:

• Tax Incentives. Digital nomads will not be required to pay the local income taxes since they are not employed by any Philippines-based businesses and involved in any business activities. However, this does not mean that they are exempted to pay their taxes in their home country.

• Eligible to Live and Work. The digital nomad visa is valid for twelve (12) months and can be renewed for another twelve (12) months. This visa also allows its holder to stay in the Philippines while working remotely. 

• No Local Employment. The primary purpose of the nomad visa is to attract foreign visitors who are working remotely for foreign entities, meaning they are required to be employed based outside the Philippines to obtain this type of visa. 

• Affordable Cost of Living. The cost of living in the Philippines is considered affordable compared to other countries. Cavite City, Cebu City, Iloilo City, Dumaguete City, and Angeles City are some of the affordable cities in the country. 

• Language. English is considered a universal language. It is also a second official language in the Philippines, which means Filipinos can speak it fluently and language barrier would not be a problem. 
• Culture. Philippine culture is influenced by Western and Asian cultures. Therefore, various international cuisines are offered in the Philippine restaurants, which could help them ease their homesickness. 
• Tourist Attractions. The Philippines is known as a tropical paradise. It has over 7,000 islands and beautiful beaches from Batanes, Boracay Island, Palawan Island, Cebu, and Siargao Island. With the nomad visa, you may enjoy your life in the Philippines while working. 

What are the Other Visa Types in the Philippines?

Since digital nomad visa is NOT YET fully implemented in the Philippines, there are various types of visa that are available for foreign nationals, depending on the purpose of their stay:

• Pre-arranged Employment (9G) Visa is offered to foreign nationals who work in Philippine-based companies. Their employer must be their petitioner to obtain this visa. 
• Special Visa Employment Generation (SVEG) Visa allows its holders to live in the Philippines, as long as their investments are maintained and fulfill their requirements. 
• Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Visa or 47(A)(2) is issued by PEZA to foreigners holding executive positions, non-resident foreigners employed in supervisory, and administrative positions by PEZA-registered enterprises. 
• Temporary Visitor (9A) Visa is a 30-day visa on arrival. Since some foreign nationals can travel in the Philippines without a visa, this visa is issued to individuals who wish to visit the country for a short period of time. Its holders are allowed to stay in the country for the given period and can be extended for initial twenty-nine (29) days. 
• Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) permits its holder to live in the country indefinitely. However, they are required to maintain the investment requirements, which is at least US$75,000 or approximately PHP4,405,000.00.
• Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) is offered to foreign nationals who are planning to retire in the Philippines permanently. 
• Special Permanent Residency Visa (ASRV) is authorized directly by the Philippine government within the APECO Economic Zone. It allows individuals to establish permanent residence in the Philippines and to access various financial services, such as high-interest bank accounts, credit cards, life insurance, securities, and loans for homes or vehicles. 
• Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is granted to foreign nationals whose country does not have a reciprocity agreement with the Philippines, but is married to a Filipino citizen.
• Spouse (13A) Visa is granted to foreign nationals who are married with Filipino nationals or to former Filipino citizens who have obtained citizenship in another country. Their child/children under twenty-one (21) years old are also eligible for this visa. 
• Non-Quota Immigrant (13G) Visa is offered to a Filipino citizen’s spouse,  their child/children who are under twenty-one (21) years old, and to natural-born Filipinos returning to the country after acquiring a different citizenship.
• Chinese National Spouse Visa (MCL-07-021) is granted to Chinese nationals who are married to a Filipino citizen. This type of visa is also granted to their legitimate children who are under twenty-one (21) years old.

Need further information and assistance regarding Digital Nomad Visa? Talk to our team at Duran & Duran-Schulze Law to know more about the requirements and process. Call us today at (+632) 8478 5826 or +63 917 194 0482, or send an email to info@duranschulze.com for more information.

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