Digital Nomad Visa Bill gains ground as Palace backs remote work for foreigners

Senator Joel Villanueva on Saturday, April 26, said that passage of his proposed legislation creating a Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) for foreigners gained traction following the issuance of Executive Order (EO) No. 86 by President Marcos.

EO No. 86 authorizes the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to issue DNVs to non-immigrant foreigners seeking to temporarily reside in the Philippines for the purpose of remote work using digital technologies.

“We have been advocating for the DNV because of its potential to boost tourism and create job opportunities,” Villanueva said.

The senator noted that the move could position the Philippines as a thriving hub for digital nomads, given the favorable environment for remote work.

“We call on the President to make our bill on digital nomad visa bill a priority measure,” he said, adding that a law will woo more foreigners to our country.

Villanueva filed Senate Bill (SB) No. 2991 in February. The measure proposes the creation of a new visa category for digital nomads, valid for one year and renewable for another year.

Under the bill, applicants must show proof of sufficient income earned outside the Philippines, possess valid health insurance for the duration of the visa, have no criminal record in their home country, and must not pose a threat to the country.

At present, more than 50 countries have already implemented similar digital nomad visa schemes.

Villanueva, who recently visited Siargao Island as part of a trip to Surigao del Norte to engage with local leaders, emphasized the opportunity to attract global remote workers.

“We must show our foreign visitors that they can work from paradise,” he said.