Philippines' new bill proposes visa to attract digital nomads
Filipino Senator Joel Villanueva has filed a new bill which aims to establish a new visa category for digital nomads. The Senate Bill No. 2991, which has been filed in an effort to boost tourism, defined digital nomads as people who travel while working remotely using digital technologies.
According to the bill, the visa will be valid for one year and renewable for another year. Villanueva said the bill would allow individuals who work remotely for foreign employers or businesses to live in the Philippines while continuing their work.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Nomad List, the country was ranked the 7th fastest-growing remote work hub in 2023. The Department of Tourism (DOT) reported a 9.15 percent increase in foreign visitors in 2024, reaching a record 5.95 million tourists. This amounted to a total of PHP 760.5 billion in tourism revenue.
“From our pristine beaches, green mountain ranges to our city’s vibrant urban hubs, each location in the Philippines provides unique advantages for remote workers,” Villanueva said in a news release.
Impact on tourism
Digital nomads can significantly impact local tourism and the economy. By providing long-term stays, digital nomads tend to spend more than typical tourists, which helps the local economies. Therefore, the bill could see Philippines’ hospitality, food, and retail industries benefitting from it. Currently, there are over 50 countries that offer this type of visa.
As per the , applicants must provide proof of sufficient income earned from foreign sources. Health insurance that covers the duration of the visa will also be mandatory. Additionally, applicants must have no criminal record in their home country and must not pose a threat to the security of the Philippines. With the bill, Villanueva hopes that more digital nomads would be attracted to the Philippines.
“Digital nomads spend money and therefore, would benefit the economy. The Philippines is a promising destination for those who embrace nomadic lifestyle and leverage technology to work remotely from outside their home country,” Villanueva said.
“While they are not allowed to take local jobs, they can share their knowledge and best practices to the local communities.”
Last year’s proposal
Last year, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. endorsed a proposal to introduce “nomad visas” to attracts long-stay foreign visitors to the country. According to a report of the Philippine News Agency, the Private Sector Advisory Council for Tourism (PSAC-Tourism) recommended the issuance of an executive order (EO) to expedite the implementation of these visas without initial tax incentives, which could be incorporated following the passage of related legislation.
Lucio Tan III, Vice Chairperson and Chief Operating Officer of LT Group, emphasised the urgency of introducing nomad visas to attract long-term tourists, noting that other countries in the region, such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, are already benefiting from similar initiatives.
