Philippines just proposed a Digital Nomad Visa—here’s what you need to know

The Philippines Senate has recently proposed a new digital nomad visa under Senate Bill No. 2991, the “Digital Nomad Visa Act”, filed by Senator Joel Villanueva on February 24, 2025. If passed, this visa would create a dedicated category for remote workers who travel while working online for companies or clients based outside the country.

If approved, the visa would allow digital nomads to stay in the Philippines for one year, with the option to renew for another year. To qualify, applicants must earn income from outside the country, have valid health insurance for the duration of their stay, and pass security checks, including proof of a clean criminal record.

Senator Villanueva sees this as a win for the country’s economy:

“Digital nomads spend money and therefore, would benefit the economy. The Philippines is a promising destination for those who embrace the nomadic lifestyle and leverage technology to work remotely from outside their home country.”

This push for a digital nomad visa isn’t coming out of nowhere. The Philippines is already gaining global recognition as a remote work hotspot, ranking 7th among the world's fastest-growing hubs for digital nomads in 2023, according to the World Economic Forum.

With this step, the Philippines is also looking to join other Asian nations—including Japan, Malaysia, and Taiwan—in offering structured visa programs tailored to remote workers.

The Digital Nomad Visa Act is still under review, and more details are expected in the coming months. If approved, it could open the door for thousands of remote workers looking to call the Philippines home—at least for a while.

Want more digital nomad news?

If you want more digital nomad and remote work news like these, sign up for our free newsletter and get upcoming news straight to your inbox!

Freaking Nomads is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free, helpful content. Learn more