Philippines Digital Nomad Visa: How to Apply

Announced in mid-June 2023, digital nomads will soon be able to live and work remotely in Southeast Asia for 12 months with the proposed Philippines digital nomad visa. 

As of April 2025, the bill for the Philippines’ digital nomad visa has been approved and will begin accepting applications at the end of June.

In an effort to attract more digital and remote workers to the country post-pandemic, the Philippines has introduced a new digital nomad visa. Under the Digital Nomad Act, the Philippines hopes to welcome more foreign nationals in an effort to increase its tourism revenue. 

The visa term is 12 months and is renewable for an additional 12 months. So, digital nomads could live in the Philippines for a total of two years!

The Philippines digital nomad visa holders would not be considered tax residents in the country. Therefore, they will only pay taxes at the source; they will not owe local taxes in the Philippines. 

While the Philippines is becoming a more popular destination amongst digital nomads due to its tropical weather and low cost of living, the government does recognize that its internet speeds are sub-par. They have committed to increasing connectivity to push the Philippines digital nomad visa to success. 

The Philippines joins other Southeast Asian countries in offering digital nomad visas, including Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. 

What is a Digital Nomad Visa?

A digital nomad visa allows remote workers to temporarily live in a foreign country. Typically, these visas last from six to twelve months and can be renewed. 

It’s important to note that a digital nomad visa holder does not have the right to seek local employment or engage in local economic business activity. They must own or work for a company or clients located outside of the country where they wish to live. 

Many digital nomad visas allow applicants to bring family members along to experience life abroad too. 

In some cases, obtaining a digital nomad visa could put you on the path to receiving permanent residency and even citizenship. 

Philippines Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

While the government is still finalizing details about the Philippines digital nomad visa requirements, here is what we know so far. 

To be eligible for the Philippines digital nomad visa, you must meet the following requirements: 

• Valid Passport – you must have a valid passport at the time of applying
• Work Remotely – you must work remotely as an employee, freelancer, or business owner for a company or clients located outside of the Philippines
• Earn $2,000 per month – you must meet a minimum income requirement of at least $24,000 per year
• Health Insurance Coverage – you must have an international health insurance policy with coverage in the Philippines for the duration of your stay
• Clean Criminal Record  – you must have a clean criminal record 
• Be a Citizen of a Reciprocating Country – Your passport must be from a country that offers a digital nomad visa to Philippine citizens or have a Philippine Foreign Service Post (PFSP) for visa processing

How to Apply for the Philippines Digital Nomad Visa

The Philippines digital nomad visa application process is done entirely online.

Step 1: Gather Necessary Documents

Before you begin your Philippines digital nomad visa application, you must first collect the necessary documents. You will need the following:

• Copy of Passport
• Passport Photo
• Proof of Remote Work (employment contracts, freelance contracts, business ownership, etc.)
• 3 Months of Bank Statements
• International Health Insurance Policy
• Criminal Background Check (apostilled)
• Proof of Residence in Current Country

These documents may be submitted in English.

Step 2: Complete Online Application

You will fill out your Philippines digital nomad visa application through the official online e-visa portal.

Complete the required information and upload your documents. It should take about 15 minutes to finish.

Remember to double-check your spellings, especially your name, as it could result in rejection if they do not match your submitted documents.

Step 3: Pay Visa Fee

There is a visa application fee between $200 and $300, depending on the country where you reside. Don’t forget to make this payment; without it, your application will not be processed.

Step 4: Wait for Approval

It should take between two and three weeks to receive a decision regarding your Philippines digital nomad visa application. You will be notified via email. If approved, you will receive further instructions for entering the Philippines with your 12-month visa.

How to Visit the Philippines Without a Digital Nomad Visa

For those digital nomads who can’t wait for the Philippines digital nomad visa to launch and want to visit the beautiful country now, there are some tourist visa options available.

US Passport Holders

When US citizens visit the Philippines, they are granted a visa on arrival (VOA) that is valid for 59 days.

However, this tourist visa is extendable for up to six months.

EU Passport Holders

When EU citizens arrive in the Philippines, they are granted a 30-day VOA.

This visa is extendable for an additional 59 days.

Canada, Australia, and New Zealand Passport Holders

Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand citizens are granted a 30-day VOA when they arrive in the Philippines.

This visa may be extended for an additional 59 days.

157 Visa-Free Nationalities

The Philippines allows a total of 157 nationalities to enter the country without a visa. They will receive visas on arrival that are valid for 30 days.

You can view the full list of countries with visa-free access here.

The Philippines for Digital Nomads

Southeast Asia has been a long-time favorite part of the world for digital nomads. From the warm and tropical weather to the low cost of living, it’s a digital nomad paradise! 

The Philippines is no exception. It even has some of the best digital nomad cities in Asia!

With over 7,000 islands and the large, bustling city of Manila, digital nomads have been flocking to the Philippines for years. Now, with the new digital nomad visa, we can expect even more to come. 

We mentioned earlier that the wifi can be a hit or miss, depending on where you are located. However, that doesn’t stop remote workers from getting a global hotspot and pushing through their tasks. 

For digital nomads who absolutely love nature, including tropical forests, pristine beaches, and volcanoes, then the Philippines is an adventure park waiting to be explored.