This Asian Country Just Launched a Special Digital Nomad Visa

If you’ve been dreaming about working remotely from a beach in Southeast Asia, now might be your chance.

The Philippines is preparing to launch a digital nomad visa, making it easier for remote workers to base themselves in the country for an extended period of time. The new visa allows eligible remote workers to stay in the Philippines for a year and allows for visa renewals after that time.

The visa is available for workers who can show that they make sufficient income to support themselves, have appropriate health insurance, and have no criminal record. Recipients are not allowed to work for a local company in the Philippines; they can only work remotely for companies located outside of the country. The visa is also only open to citizens of countries with reciprocal visa agreements with the Philippines. 

Other countries in Asia already offer versions of a digital nomad visa, including South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Japan and Taiwan also have limited digital nomad visa options that cap the visa holder to only six months in the country. In comparison to other countries in the region, the Philippines has a low cost of living as well as a mix of both urban centers and pristine beaches. Plus, English is a widely spoken language there.

“Allowing digital nomads the opportunity to stay longer in the country will spur tourism activities and increase visitor spending,” tourism secretary Christina Frasco said in a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure. “Not only do digital nomads help mitigate seasonal fluctuations in tourism by visiting during off-peak times and providing a more steady economic flow, but these types of international visitors also bring diverse perspectives and cultures, enriching our host communities.”

The Philippines’ tourism numbers are lower than they were pre-pandemic, partially due to the suspension of an e-visa for Chinese citizens, which has impacted the number of tourists from China who are visiting the country. The digital nomad visa is one method to boost those numbers.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, the Bureau of Immigration, the Department of Tourism, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue are all working together to prepare to launch the digital nomad visa in the near future.