President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order no. 86 authorizing the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to issue Digital Nomad visas to non-immigrant foreigners who plan to visit and work remotely in the Philippines.
The Executive Order signed on April 24, 2025 seeks to establish the legal framework necessary for facilitating the entry of digital nomads and other foreigners who are interested in working remotely from the Philippines temporarily, especially those whose clients or employers are situated outside the country.
Through this legal framework, the DFA is expected to coordinate with the Departments of Tourism and Justice as well as the Bureaus of Immigration and Internal Revenue in the implementation of the Digital Nomad Visa program.
Among the benefits mentioned by Philippine government officials regarding the Digital Nomad Visa program are increases in tourism arrivals and spending, as well as inter-cultural interactions and better exposure opportunities for destinations beyond popular “workation” spots like Boracay, Palawan, Cebu and La Union.
Related article: Best Beach Destinations to Work Remotely in The Philippines
The current terms of the Digital Nomad Visa program for the Philippines state that foreigners who qualify for the visa can stay for up to 1 year in the Philippines, with multiple entry privileges during the visa’s term. The visa can also be renewed for the same duration of time.
Qualifications for Digital Nomad Visa applicants are as follows:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must have proof of remote employment and sufficient income to live in the Philippines
- Must have no criminal record
- Must have valid health insurance for the duration of the stay
- Must not pose a threat to the internal or external security of the Philippines
- Must not be employed in the Philippines
The Digital Nomad Visa program for the Philippines follows the implementation of similar programs in Indonesia and Thailand for remote workers. Pilot implementation for the program is expected to begin 60 days after EO 86 takes effect, which may come by late June 2025.
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