The Philippines Just Approved a Digital Nomad Visa—Here’s What You Need to Know
Big news for remote workers dreaming of island life—the Philippines is officially opening its doors to digital nomads.
In a move that could make your tropical remote work dreams a reality, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has signed Executive Order No. 86, giving the green light for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to issue Digital Nomad Visas to eligible foreigners. That means you can now legally live and work remotely in the Philippines without skirting the rules on a tourist visa.
Here’s everything you need to know about this brand-new visa option.
What is the Digital Nomad Visa?
A Digital Nomad Visa allows foreigners to live in the Philippines temporarily while working remotely for employers or clients based outside the country. If you're a freelancer, remote employee, or run your own online biz, this could be your ticket to working from white-sand beaches and sipping calamansi juice during Zoom calls.
Why is the Philippines doing this?
Let’s be real—remote work is here to stay, and countries around the world are racing to attract the new wave of mobile professionals. EO No. 86 creates a clear legal path for digital nomads to stay in the Philippines legally, while also boosting local tourism and contributing to the economy. It’s a win-win.
Who’s eligible?
To qualify for the Digital Nomad Visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:
✅ Be at least 18 years old
✅ Have proof of remote work using digital tech
✅ Show sufficient income from sources outside the Philippines
✅ Have valid health insurance for the entire stay
✅ Hold a clean criminal record
✅ Be from a country that:
Offers a similar visa to Filipinos, and
Hosts a Philippine Foreign Service Post
❌ You cannot be employed by a Philippine-based company
❌ You must not pose a security risk
The DFA will also keep a secure database of visa holders, in line with the country’s Data Privacy Act of 2012.
What happens next?
The DFA is currently working with other government bodies—including the Bureau of Immigration, Department of Tourism, Department of Justice, and BIR—to finalize the implementation. Expect more specific application procedures, timelines, and processing fees soon.
So if you’ve been eyeing a longer stay in the Philippines but didn’t want to deal with visa runs or overstays, this is your moment.
Why choose the Philippines?
Besides the obvious perks—island life, affordable living, and world-class hospitality—the Philippines has a fast-growing remote work community. English is widely spoken, coworking spaces are popping up all over, and internet infrastructure (especially in major cities and digital nomad hubs like Cebu and Siargao) keeps getting better.
You’ll find it’s easy to blend work and adventure—think snorkeling before standups or surfing after sending invoices.
This new visa is a game-changer for travelers who want more than a quick vacation. With the government’s full support, the Philippines is clearly saying: “Hey, remote workers—WRUGoing? Come stay a while.”
We’ll be keeping this post updated as more details are released, so bookmark it if you’re planning your escape.
