Digital Nomad Visa Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES JUL -8 P5:03 First Regular Session SENATE Senate Bill No. Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A NEW VISA CATEGORY FOR DIGITAL NOMADS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Digital nomads are professionals who use technology to work remotely, even from various locations. Reports suggest that the number of digital nomads globally ranges from 25 million to 80 million.! The World Economic Forum's white paper, The Rise of Global Digital Jobs, predicts a 25% growth in remote digital roles by 2030, reaching around 92 million jobs globally. The World Economic Forum, based on the Nomad List, ranked the Philippines as the 7th fastest growing remote work hub in 2023.3 The Department of Tourism reported a 9.15% increase in foreign visitors in 2024, reaching 5.95 million, and tourism revenue hit an all-time high of P760.5 billion, a 126.75% recovery from pre- pandemic levels.* The Philippines, offering an affordable lifestyle, high English proficiency, a warm tropical climate, and world-class tourist attractions, is strategically positioned to become a top destination for digital nomads in Southeast Asia. 1 Development Asia, How Data Helps Digital Nomads Thrive In Asia And The Pacific. Published on 10 March 2025. Available at https://development.asia/insight/how-data-helps-digital-nomads-thrive-asia-and-pacific (Accessed on 13 May 2025). World Economic The Rise of Global Digital Jobs (2024). Available at https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_The_Rise_of_Global_Digital_Jobs_2024.pdf (Accessed 23 February 2025). Presidential Communications Office, "PH Considered as One of the World's Top Remote Work Hubs". Published on 31 October 2023. Available at https://pco.gov.ph/news_releases/ph-one-of-the-worlds-top-remote-work- hubs/ (Accessed on 23 February 2025). 4 Department of Tourism, "PHL Hits Record-High Tourism Revenue in 2024". Published on 6 January 2025. Available at https://beta.tourism.gov.ph/news_and_updates/phl-hits-record-high-tourism-revenue-in-2024/. (Accessed on 24 February 2025).

A study by Harvard Business Review noted that digital nomads invest their time and money in the local economy, without taking local jobs, and build bridges with local knowledge workers - a win-win for both remote workers and local communities. Digital nomads could act as catalysts for knowledge and resource flows between regions, benefitting themselves, their organizations, and their host countries. 5 By introducing a specific visa category, the Philippines has the opportunity to position itself as an appealing destination for digital nomads and capitalize on the growing global trend. Currently, more than fifty jurisdictions offer remote worker visas and permits. The Digital Nomad Visa Act aims to attract remote workers to the Philippines, driving economic growth through spending in sectors like hospitality, real estate, and tourism. It will also boost job creation, talent development, and innovation through collaboration between remote workers and local businesses. For these reasons, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. JOEY VILLANUEVA? 5 Harvard Business Review. How "Digital Nomad" Visas Can Boost Local Economies. Published on 27 May 2022. available at htps:/hbr.org/2022405/how-digital-nomad-visas-can-boost-local-economies (Accessed on 13 May

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES JUL -8 P5:03 First Regular Session REC SENATE Senate Bill No. Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A NEW VISA CATEGORY FOR DIGITAL NOMADS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be referred to as the "Digital

Nomad Visa Act."

SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms

are defined as follows: (a) Alien refers to an individual who is not a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines; (b) Digital Nomad refers to an individual who works remotely using digital technologies while travelling to different countries; (c) Digital Nomad Visa refers to the visa granted by the Department of Foreign Affairs to a person to whom this Act applies.

SEC. 3. Digital Nomad Visa. - An alien who is employed in a country

other than the Republic of the Philippines may, upon making an application to the Department of Foreign Affairs, be granted a Digital Nomad Visa to work in the Philippines for a period of twelve (12) months, renewable for another twelve (12) months, subject to the following conditions: (a) Said individual must be at least eighteen (18) years old;

(b) Said individual is a digital nomad as defined in Section 2 of this Act; (c) Said individual can show valid proof of sufficient income, based on standards to be determined by the Department of Foreign Affairs, in consultation with relevant government agencies, and that said income is generated outside of the Philippines; (d) Said individual holds a valid health insurance valid for the period for which the Digital Nomad Visa is granted; (e) Said individual must not have a criminal record in his home country and will not be a threat to the Republic of the Philippines; (f) Said individual will pay a fee to be determined by the Department of Foreign Affairs to cover the cost of processing and issuing the visa; (g) Said individual will pay a reasonable Entry Fee and Exit Fee, the amount of which will be determined by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

SEC. 4. Effect of Grant of Visa. - An alien who has been granted a

digital nomad visa shall not be deemed a resident of the Philippines for taxation purposes and the income they receive from their employer abroad, while in the country, shall not be considered income from Philippine sources.

SEC. 5. No Employment in the Philippines. - An alien who has been

granted a Digital Nomad Visa shall not be employed in the Philippines.

SEC. 6. Revocation of Visa. - The Department of Foreign Affairs may

revoke the Digital Nomad Visa if the holder violates any of the terms or conditions of the visa, or if it is determined that the holder no longer meets the qualifications established in Section 3 hereof.

SEC. 7. Digital Nomad Visa Register. - A register of all individuals

issued a Digital Nomad Visa shall be maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs and shall contain such information as the Department may deem necessary.

SEC. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to cover the initial

implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Thereafter, the funding shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of

2 Foreign Affairs, shall, in consultation with the Bureau of Immigration, Department of Tourism, Department of Finance, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Trade and Industry, Local Government Units, 5 other relevant government agencies and instrumentalities, the private sector, 6 and other stakeholders, issue within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this 7 Act, the rules and regulations necessary to effectively implement its provisions.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act

9 is declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not 10 affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,

executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days

following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,