Philippines Announces Digital Nomad Visa Launch for June 2025

The Philippines is preparing to launch its official Digital Nomad Visa in June 2025, offering foreign remote workers the opportunity to reside in the country while working for employers or clients based abroad. Announced by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in April 2025 and formalized through Executive Order No. 86, the visa marks the country’s first structured pathway for location-independent professionals.

This move aligns the Philippines with a broader global trend toward flexible, remote work and positions the country alongside other Southeast Asian economies that are actively attracting mobile professionals with tailored visa schemes.

Key features and timeline

The Digital Nomad Visa will be valid for 12 months and renewable for an additional 12 months, allowing for a total two-year stay. Applications are expected to open in June 2025. The program will be jointly administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Bureau of Immigration, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

The visa is based on Senate Bill No. 2991 — the Digital Nomad Visa Act — introduced in February 2025. This legislation provides the legal basis for foreign nationals to reside in the Philippines while working exclusively for foreign-based employers or clients.

Eligibility and application requirements

To qualify for the Digital Nomad Visa, applicants must demonstrate that they are engaged in remote work for non-Philippine employers or clients and are financially self-sufficient.

They must provide documentation verifying foreign-sourced income, such as employment contracts, recent bank statements, or tax filings. The minimum annual income threshold is expected to be set at around US$24,000, although final figures will be clarified in the implementing regulations.

Applicants also need to submit:

• A certificate of no criminal record from their country of residence
• Proof of private health insurance valid in the Philippines
• A return or onward travel ticket
• Proof of accommodation or local address

Importantly, the visa bars holders from engaging in any form of local employment or business with Philippine-based clients.

The application will be processed through a new online e-visa platform, with expected turnaround times of four to six weeks. Philippine embassies and consulates abroad will support document verification and submission. Once approved, visa holders must register with the Bureau of Immigration upon arrival.

ASEAN’s diverse approaches to digital nomad visas

As Southeast Asia embraces the global shift toward remote work, several ASEAN countries have rolled out tailored digital nomad visa schemes. Each reflects its national priorities, whether promoting tourism, attracting high-income individuals, or building a tech-savvy workforce. The Philippines joins this evolving landscape with a middle-ground approach.

Malaysia – DE Rantau Nomad Pass

Launched in 2022, Malaysia’s pass targets digital professionals earning at least US$24,000 annually. Valid for one year and renewable, it grants access to designated DE Rantau Hubs in Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and Langkawi. In 2024, eligibility was expanded to include professions like legal consultants, public relations specialists, and designers.

Thailand – Destination Thailand Visa

Introduced in 2024, the DTV caters to freelancers and creatives. It is valid for five years, allowing stays of up to 180 days per entry, with annual renewals. Applicants must show proof of foreign income and a THB 500,000 (~US$14,500) bank deposit. A separate Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa is also available for high-income professionals earning at least US$80,000 annually, offering 10-year stays and tax incentives.

Indonesia – Bali Digital Nomad Visa and Second Home Visa

Indonesia offers the Bali Digital Nomad Visa (E33G) for remote workers earning around US$60,000 annually. It permits one-year stays, limited to foreign-sourced income and no local employment. The Second Home Visa, meanwhile, targets retirees and investors with a required IDR 2 billion (~US$130,000) deposit in an Indonesian bank, allowing five to ten years of residence.

Vietnam – No formal digital nomad visa

Vietnam has not introduced a specific visa for digital nomads. However, it remains popular due to low living costs, reliable internet, and coworking spaces in cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Most digital nomads rely on business or tourist visas, which can be extended periodically, though the lack of formal status creates long-term legal uncertainty.

ASEAN Digital Nomad Visa Comparison Table

Country	Visa Name	Validity and Renewal	Income / Financial Requirements	Work Restrictions	Notable Features
Malaysia	DE Rantau Nomad Pass	12 months, renewable once	US$24,000/year	Remote work only	Access to coworking hubs; includes dependents
Thailand	Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)	5 years (180 days per stay), renewable yearly	THB 500,000 (~US$14,500) bank deposit	Remote work only	Creative-friendly; multiple entries
Thailand	Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa	10 years	US$80,000/year	Remote work only	Tax perks; aimed at professionals and investors
Indonesia	Bali Digital Nomad Visa (E33G)	1 year	US$60,000/year	Foreign-sourced income only	No local clients allowed; lifestyle-focused
Indonesia	Second Home Visa	5–10 years	IDR 2B (~US$130,000) deposit	Passive presence only	Designed for retirees and investors
Vietnam	No formal nomad visa	Tourist/business visa, extendable	N/A	Informal; no legal protection	Low-cost destination, but lacks legal certainty
Philippines	Digital Nomad Visa (June 2025)	12 months, renewable once	Est. US$24,000/year	Remote work only	English-speaking workforce; formal framework underway

Tax considerations for digital nomads

Although digital nomads will be physically working in the Philippines, their income is not considered Philippine-sourced if it is derived from foreign companies or clients. Under current Philippine tax law, such income is not subject to local taxation.

Foreign nationals who stay in the country for fewer than 180 days in a calendar year are classified as non-resident aliens and are only taxed on income earned from Philippine sources. Digital nomads working remotely for employers overseas fall outside this definition and are not liable for Philippine income tax.

Even for those staying more than 180 days, and thus classified as resident aliens, tax liability only arises for income sourced from within the Philippines. Since the visa explicitly prohibits working with local employers or clients, income remains classified as foreign-sourced and thus non-taxable under Philippine rules.

That said, digital nomads should maintain clear documentation, such as contracts and bank records, to confirm their income source. They should also be aware of tax obligations in their home country, especially if it imposes taxes on global income.

What happens next

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Bureau of Immigration are expected to release full implementing regulations and launch the application portal by the end of June 2025. Applicants should prepare documentation in advance and monitor official channels for updates on final requirements and timelines.

A competitive and complementary option in ASEAN

The launch of the Philippines’ Digital Nomad Visa adds depth to Southeast Asia’s growing ecosystem of mobility-friendly policies. Rather than competing head-to-head, ASEAN countries are developing complementary programs that offer flexibility, lifestyle diversity, and varying thresholds for income and residency.

This article first appeared on ASEAN Briefing, our sister platform.