In an effort to boost the country’s tourism, Senator Joel Villanueva is seeking to institutionalize the grant of a visa for digital nomads or people who travel while working remotely using digital technologies.
In filing Senate Bill No. 2991, Villanueva said allowing this new type of visa would allow visitors to stay in the country for a longer period while working for a foreign-based employer or business and boost the popularity of tourist destinations.
Villanueva said his past trips to the country’s tourist destinations and recently, in Siargao Island, prompted him to file the measure.
“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,” he said.
The bill primarily seeks to provide a new visa category for digital nomads valid for one year and renewable for another year.
Under the proposed measure, applicants need to provide proof of sufficient income generated outside the country, must hold a valid health insurance within the validity of the visa, must have no criminal record in his/her home country and will not be a threat to the Philippines, among other requirements.
With this type of visa in place, Villanueva said he hopes more digital nomads would be attracted to make the Philippines their hub.
Currently, there are more than 50 countries that offer this type of visa.
“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,” he stressed.
According to the World Economic Forum, the Nomad List ranked the Philippines as the 7th fastest growing remote work hub in 2023.
The Department of Tourism (DOTr) reported a 9.15 percent increase in foreign visitors in 2024 or a total 5.95 million foreign tourists raking in a record-high of P 760.5 billion in tourism revenues.
“The digital nomad visa program should be more than a bureaucratic procedure. It should foster an environment that will genuinely welcome visitors to our shores and allow ‘workationing’ possible for an extended period,” Villanueva said.