Digital Nomad Visa

The Philippines Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) is a non-immigrant visa that allows foreign nationals to temporarily reside in the Philippines while working remotely for employers or clients located outside the country. The program was established by Executive Order No. 86, s. 2025, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on 24 April 2025 and effective 5 May 2025. It is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in coordination with the Department of Justice, Department of Tourism, Bureau of Immigration, and Bureau of Internal Revenue. The visa targets remote workers, freelancers, and self-employed professionals who earn their income exclusively from foreign-based sources.

• Foreign national at least 18 years old
• Work remotely using digital technology for employers or clients outside the Philippines
• Minimum annual income of approximately USD 24,000 (USD 2,000/month) from foreign sources
• Valid international health insurance covering the full duration of the stay
• Clean criminal record from home country or country of residence
• National of a country that offers a reciprocal digital nomad visa to Filipino citizens and where the Philippines maintains a Foreign Service Post
• Must not pose a threat to Philippine security

• Valid passport for the entire intended duration of stay
• Proof of remote employment or freelance work (employment contracts, client agreements)
• Proof of income meeting the minimum threshold (bank statements, tax filings)
• Valid international health insurance certificate
• Criminal record clearance from home country or country of residence
• Return or onward travel ticket
• Proof of accommodation or local address in the Philippines

Applications are processed through the Philippine e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.ph) or may be submitted in person at Philippine embassies and consulates abroad. The estimated processing time is 4 to 12 weeks from application to decision. Upon approval, visa holders must register with the Bureau of Immigration upon arrival in the Philippines.

The visa is issued for up to 1 year with multiple entry privileges during its validity. It is renewable once for an additional 1-year period, subject to the applicant continuing to meet all eligibility requirements, for a maximum total stay of 2 years.

The Executive Order does not explicitly address provisions for accompanying dependants. It is expected that implementing guidelines will clarify whether and how a spouse and minor children may accompany the primary visa holder. Prospective applicants planning to move with their families should confirm the latest guidelines with the DFA or the nearest Philippine embassy or consulate.

Foreign-sourced income earned by DNV holders is not subject to Philippine income tax. Under the National Internal Revenue Code, even if a holder stays more than 180 days and is classified as a resident alien, only Philippine-sourced income is taxable. Since the visa prohibits local employment, the holder's income remains foreign-sourced and non-taxable in the Philippines.

Holders may only work remotely for employers or clients situated outside the Philippines. Engaging in any form of local employment or business with Philippine-based employers or clients is strictly prohibited. The DFA and coordinating agencies may revoke a DNV if holders engage in local employment, provide fraudulent information, or violate immigration laws.

The visa includes a reciprocity requirement that limits eligibility to nationals of countries that themselves offer digital nomad visas to Filipino citizens and where the Philippines maintains a Foreign Service Post. This significantly narrows the pool of eligible applicants compared to many other countries' digital nomad visa programs. Nationals of eligible countries without a Philippine embassy may apply at the nearest country where one is located.

Before the DNV, foreign remote workers in the Philippines typically used tourist visas, which allow stays of 30 days extendable up to 36 months but do not formally authorize remote work. The DNV provides a dedicated legal framework with a longer initial stay, multiple entry privileges, and formal authorization to work remotely.

The Philippines imposes fines for visa overstays starting at approximately PHP 500 per month, with overstays exceeding six months potentially resulting in blacklisting and overstays exceeding twelve months leading to mandatory deportation proceedings.