Fancy move! The Philippines plans to introduce a "Digital Nomad" visa: valid for one year, renewable once.

The Philippine Senate recently introduced a new bill to launch a "Digital Nomad" visa. This visa is valid for one year and can be renewed for another year. It is primarily aimed at foreigners who do not require a fixed workplace and rely on the internet for work, allowing them to work remotely and travel in the Philippines.

Boosting the economy, attracting high-income groups

Senator Joel Villanueva stated that the main purpose of this visa is to promote the Philippine tourism industry and consumption. He believes that the "digital nomad" group has strong spending power, and their living and spending in the Philippines will help boost the local economy.

Application requirements

According to the bill, applicants need to provide the following proof:

Having a stable income abroad to sustain life in the Philippines;

Holding valid health insurance during the visa period;

No criminal record and not posing a security threat to the Philippines.

It is worth noting that holders of this visa are not allowed to be employed by local companies in the Philippines to avoid affecting the local job market. However, the government encourages them to share knowledge and experience with local communities to promote cultural exchange.

Global trend: Countries compete for "digital nomads"

In recent years, over 60 countries around the world have introduced "digital nomad" visas, such as Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia. As countries compete to attract high-spending remote workers, the Philippines also plans to take a share of the international tourism market through this policy.