The Philippines is opening its doors wider to the global workforce as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. officially signed Executive Order No. 86, establishing the country’s first-ever Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) program. The new visa offers foreign remote workers a legal pathway to live and work temporarily in the Philippines, aiming to boost tourism and strengthen the economy.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro announced the development during a press briefing at Malacañang on Monday, 28 April.

"To further stimulate tourism and economic growth, President Marcos Jr. has signed Executive Order 86, providing a legal basis for digital nomads who wish to temporarily reside and work in the Philippines," Castro said.

The rise of the digital nomad movement

Digital nomads are individuals who leverage technology to work remotely while traveling or living in various locations worldwide. With its affordable cost of living, rich natural beauty, and improving internet infrastructure, the Philippines has increasingly become a favored destination for this global community.

In 2023, the World Economic Forum recognized the Philippines as the 7th fastest-growing remote work hub in the world — a testament to its growing appeal to international remote workers.

What the Digital Nomad Visa offers

Under the Digital Nomad Visa, foreign nationals aged 18 and above can live in the Philippines while working for employers or clients based overseas. Key requirements include:

• Proof of remote work using digital technology

• Evidence of sufficient income sourced from outside the Philippines

• A clean criminal record

• Valid health insurance for the entire stay

The visa allows eligible applicants to stay in the Philippines for up to one year, with the possibility of renewal and multiple entry privileges.

Importantly, DNV holders are prohibited from engaging in local employment. The program is also limited to nationals from countries that offer similar visa opportunities to Filipinos and have a Philippine Foreign Service Post.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has been authorized to issue the visas and maintain a database of DNV holders, in compliance with the Data Privacy Act. The Bureau of Immigration will work closely with the DFA to ensure security checks and the enforcement of immigration laws.

The Executive Order also sets clear conditions for revoking visas, including fraud, criminal activity, or violation of the visa's terms, such as taking local jobs.

The DFA, alongside the Department of Justice, Department of Tourism, Bureau of Immigration, and Bureau of Internal Revenue, will roll out a pilot implementation of the DNV program within 60 days. They are also tasked with issuing detailed implementing guidelines to ensure smooth execution.