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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos backs granting nomad visas to boost PH tourism

Marcos backs granting nomad visas to boost PH tourism

Published Jul 5, 2024 04:17 am

At A Glance

  • Nomad visas allow individuals to live and work remotely outside their home country while still employed there.

President Marcos has ordered a study for the possible granting of "nomad" visas to attract long-stay tourists to the country and help boost the tourism sector.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Bongbong Marcos/YouTube screenshot)
President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Bongbong Marcos/Facebook)

Marcos said this as he met the Private Sector Advisory Council for Tourism (PSAC-Tourism) in Malacañan on Wednesday, July 3.

During the meeting, PSAC-Tourism member LT Group president and CEO Lucio Tan III cited the need for the Philippines to follow its Southeast Asian neighbors and issue nomad visas or similar remote work visas to attract long-term foreign visitors, particularly freelancers.

Nomad visas allow individuals to live and work remotely outside their home country while still employed there.

"We need to issue nomad visas quickly to attract long-stay tourists. Other countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia are already benefiting from this approach," he said.

The PSAC-Tourism recommended that Marcos issue an Executive Order (EO) to implement nomad visas immediately without tax incentives, which can be added once the related bill is passed.

In response, the President expressed support for this interim solution and has directed the Office of the Executive Secretary to draft the EO and select a pilot country for the initiative.

Some Asian countries that grant digital nomad visas or similar remote work visas for qualified Filipinos are:

  1. Malaysia (Three to 12 months, renewable for an additional year)
  2. South Korea (One year)
  3. Taiwan (Gold Card allows digital nomads to enter and exit Taiwan for one to three years)
  4. Thailand (Five years with a 180-day stay period)
  5. United Arab Emirates (One year)


Meanwhile, President Marcos cited the role of the private sector in boosting the Philippines' tourism sector, especially through expediting industry-specific training programs that equip individuals with skills needed for immediate employment in tourism-related jobs.

During the meeting, Filinvest Development Corporation President and CEO Joji Gotianun Yap cited the need to build on the high number of tourism workers with Technical Education And Skills Development Authority (TESDA) certifications.

"Eighty percent of our tourism workforce holds TESDA certifications. We should build on this by further increasing these certifications, with the private sector identifying the specific skills required," he said.

For his part, Marcos emphasized the role of industry in shaping these training efforts.

"The private sector should guide us on the exact skills needed," he said.

Chairman Popoy de Vera of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) elaborated on the strategic approach to tourism and hospitality education.

"We have numerous institutions offering four-year degrees in Tourism and Hospitality Management. By allowing top schools to run these programs, we ensure quality and meet current needs," he said.

"TESDA certifications can now be credited towards these degrees, providing students with a flexible pathway," he added.

President Marcos likewise highlighted the importance of short-term courses, saying they "enable people to get jobs quickly."

"Well-trained individuals are rapidly employed," he added.

The PSAC-Tourism is confident that these initiatives will position the Philippines as a prime destination for tourists, enhance the quality of its tourism workforce, and drive economic growth.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos PRIVATE SECTOR ADVISORY COUNCIL PH tourism President Marcos nomad visa
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