Citing the boost this might give the tourism sector and the overall economy as the rationale behind its launch.
Through Executive Order No. 86 that President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. signed on April 24, 2025, he has ordered the establishment of a legal framework to allow the entry of “digital nomads,” who are foreigners seeking to temporarily reside or work remotely from the Philippines.
“The DFA is hereby authorized to issue Digital Nomad Visas (DNVs) to non-immigrant foreigners who desire to enter and/or stay in the country for a temporary period for the purpose of working remotely using digital technologies, and whose clients or employers are situated outside the Philippines,” President Marcos in the EO.
Under the Digital Nomad Visa Program, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Tourism (DOT), Bureau of Immigration (BI), and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), are directed to study and adopt measures to effectively implement the program aimed at attracting eligible foreigners.
The necessary guidelines for the effective implementation of the order must be issued by the concerned government agencies within 30 days from its effectivity.
In addition to their earlier mandate, the DFA has also been tasked to create a database of all DNV holders for monitoring purposes and in strict compliance with data privacy requirements under Republic Act No. 10173 (Data Privacy Act of 2012).
According to the order, foreign nationals applying for DNV must be at least 18 years old.
They must be able to present proof of remote work using digital technology and sufficient income generated outside the Philippines, as well as an unblemished criminal record.
An applicant must also bear a health insurance policy valid for the entire period that he will stay in the country.
He must also be a national of a country that offers DNVs to Filipinos and where the Philippines has a Foreign Service Post (FSP) and must not pose threat to the internal or external security of the Philippines.
Lastly, one must also not be directly employed in the Philippines.
Foreigners who are nationals of countries that offer DNVs to Filipinos but do not have a Philippine FSP may apply for the visa in the nearest country where a foreign service post is located.
Meanwhile, holders of valid DNVs may enter and/or stay in the Philippines for a maximum period of one year.
They may also renew their visas for the same duration, with the chance of being granted multiple entry privileges during the validity of their visas.
Aside from the Philippines, several neighbors in the region also issue digital nomad visas like Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.