Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

536

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative EDUARDO R. RAMA, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As the COVID-19 pandemic forced many traditional office workers to work from home, a subset
of these workers joined a growing movement of location-independent workers referred to as
Digital Nomads. Digital Nomads are individuals who travel to different places, while relying on
technologies to access the internet and do theit work from any locations in the world. ‘The
Phi sis a great destination for Digital Nomads. Cebu, a thriving economic center and
tourism hub, is a perfect base as it offers easy access to fast internet, co-working communities,
world-class infrastructure, and numerous tourist destinations.

Today, there are around 54 countries that offer Digital Nomad visas’. In 2023, a study by an
independent workforce management platform reported that 17.3 million American workers
currently describe themselves as digital nomads, growing by 2% from 2022 after increasing a
staggering 131% from the pre-pandemic year 2019-2022*, Significantly, Digital Nomads are
reported to contribute $787 billion to the global economy annually’. They inject money into local
economies through spending on accommodations, co-working spaces, food, transportation,
entertainment, and other services. This leads to the growth of tourism-oriented industries and in
tum turther bolster the overall economic growth ot the country.

‘The world is changing in response to the growing Digital Nomad population. Due to the mass
advancement of information and communication technologies, emergence of co-working spaces,

jinginw~text=| 620 %who%?0cat he


changes in work culture, and the appeal of exploring new places while maintaining carcers,
countries all over the world have taken advantage of this phenomenon by providing for a new
y ory the d Veg." " vecke

special visa category to accommodate Digital Nomads. This bill presents an opportunity for the
Philippines to: (10 push tourism development, (2) increase the influx of cash from abroad, and
(3) enhance the economic activity of varivus regions, thereby increasing revenue and generating

greater economic productivity

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

a eo

REP. EDUARDO R. RAMA, JR.
2” District, City of Cebu


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 536

Introduced by Representative EDUARDO R. RAMA, JR.

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 known as the “Digital Nomad Visa Act”.

SEC. 2, Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote
and develop the country as a hub for remote workers and digital nomads. By encouraging the
entry of highly skilled individuals who engage in remote work, the State aims to boost
economic growth, enrich cultural understanding, foster international cooperation, create local
employment opportunities, and cultivate an environment that supports technological
advancements and innovative practices,

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

(a) Alien or Foreign National refers to an individual not a citizen of the Republic of
the Philippines;

(b) Client or Employer refers to a person, corporation, organization, or any other legal
entity that hires, employs, or otherwise engages an individual to perform work or
service of any kind in exchange for a salary, wage, or other valuable consideration;


Swemvaunasaune

11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

Digital Nomad refers to a non-restricted alien who travels freely while working
remotely for a foreign client or employer using information and communication
technology;

Digital Nomad Visa refers to a type of visa granted to an individual pursuant to the
provisions of this Act;

Information and Communication Technology refers to all communication
technologies including the internet, wireless networks. cellular phones, computers,
software, video-conferencing, social media/social networking, and other media
applications, platforms, or services, that enable users to perform work of services
of any kind for a client or employer remotely:

Remote Work refers to a working arrangement that allows an individual to regularly
perform work or services of any kind outside of the usual place of business of a
client or employer, primarily through the use of information and communication
technology.

(C. 4. Digital Nomad Visa. - An alien who is gainfully employed in a country other

than the Republic of the Philippines, or who otherwise performs remote work for a client or
employer not a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines or not registered pursuant to existing

Philippi

ine laws, may apply for and be granted a digital nomad visa to stay in the Philippines

for a period of twelve (12) months, renewable for another twelve (12) months, subject to the
requirements and conditions provided in this Act.

SEC. 5. Qualifications. — Aliens or foreign nationals applying for a digital nomad visa

must possess all of the following qualifications:

(a)
(b)

(c)

(d)

At least eighteen (18) years of age;

Gainfully employed in a country outside the Republic of the Philippines, or engaged
in remote work for a foreign client or employer as defined in this Act;

Insured under an international health insurance policy with coverage in the
Philippines;

Derives income solely from sources outside the Philippines: Provided, That such
income must be sufficient to support the applicant throughout the stay in the
Philippines.

SEC. 6. Requirements. — An alien or foreign national who wishes to apply for a Digital

Nomad Visa must present or submit the following:


Semvauaune

it
12
13
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
24
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44

(a)

(b)

(c)

(9)

(e)
(fy

(9)

Proof of employment or contract for services, or any other document evidencing
that the alien is engaged in remote work for a foreign client or employer:

Proof of income or ability to support the applicant for the duration of the stay in the
Philippines: Provided, That such income or means of support is derived solely from
sources outside of the Philippines:

International health insurance policy with coverage in the Philippines and valid for
the duration of the stay;

nal record in the applicant's country of

Proof that the applicant has no cri
citizenship:

Address of residence or accommodation in the Philippines;

Written undertaking, subscribed before an officer authorized to administer oaths
under Philippine laws, that the applicant:

(1) will not engage in gainful employment for or will derive income from a client
or employer in the Philippines; and

(2) will not engage in illegal activities, activities detrimental to the public interest,
or violate any of the laws, ordinances, rules and regulations of the Philippines;
and

Such other requirements that may be imposed under the rules and regulations
implementing this Act,

SEC. 7. Conditions for Continued Stay under a Digital Nomad Visa. — As condition

for the stay in the Philippines under a digital nomad visa, an alien or foreign national shall:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

not engage in gainful employment for or derive income from a client or employer
in the Philippines: Provided, That a digital nomad who wishes to derive income
from any source in the Philippines shall apply for the applicable visa and permits
under existing laws, rules, and regulations;

not engage in any illegal activity or activities detrimental to the public interest, or
violate any of the laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations of the Philippines;

maintain adequate health insurance coverage for the duration of the stay in the
Philippines as a digital nomad; and

comply with the annual reporting requirement of the Bureau of Immigration.


COVAHAUNH

SEC. 8. Conversion of Visa. ~ Pursuant to existing immigration laws, rules and
regulations, a foreign national who has entered the Philippines with a valid visa other than a
digital nomad visa may apply with the Bureau of Immigration for the conversion of the existing
visa into a digital nomad visa; Provided. That such foreign national must possess all of the
qualifications and must submit all the requirements provided in this Act: Provided, further.
That the foreign national granted a digital nomad visa under this section shall comply with all
the conditions provided in this Act and its implementing rules and regulations.

A foreign national granted a digital nomad visa may likewise apply for the conversion
of visa with the Bureau of Immigration pursuant to existing laws, rules, and regulations.

Foreign nationals who have been successfully granted a conversion of visa must comply
with all the conditions set forth in this Act. Any violation of such conditions shall be a ground
for the cancellation of the visa and shall subject the foreign national to fines and penalties
provided in this Act and in existing laws, rules and regulations.

SEC. 9. Re-entry. - An alien or foreign national who has been granted a digital nomad
visa shall be allowed to exit and re-enter the Philippines without need to secure additional
Permits for the duration of the validity of the digital nomad visa,

SEC. 10. Income from Sources Outside the Country. ~ An alien ot foreign national
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 while in the country from their client or
employer outside the Philippines shall not be considered as income from sources within the
Philippines, in accordance with existing laws and international tax treaties.

SEC. 11, Revocation of Digital Nomad Visa. ~ The digital nomad visa of a foreign
national who has failed to comply with the conditions set forth in this Act or its implementing
rules and regulations, or who no longer possesses any of the qualifications set forth in this Act,
or who has been found to have submitted fraudulent documentary requirements or false
information during the application for or conversion to a digital nomad visa, or who is
otherwise found to possess or to have committed any of the grounds for exclusion or
deportation, shall be revoked. A foreign national whose digital nomad visa has been revoked
shall no longer be allowed to apply for a digital nomad visa.

SEC. 12. Reciprocity. — A foreign national applying for a digital nomad visa must be
accitizen of a country, state, or territory that grants to citizens of the Republic of the Philippines
the same rights and privileges granted to foreign nationals under this Act. For this purpose, the
Department of Foreign Affairs shall maintain, regularly update, and share with the Department
of Tourism and the Bureau of Immigration, a database of countries, states, and territories that
allow Filipinos to acquire digital nomad visas or any other similar visa with the same rights
and privileges provided in this Act.


Sweavansune

11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
a1
22
23
24
25
26
27

SEC. 13. Digital Nomad Visa Register. — A register of all individuals issued a digital
nomad visa shall be maintained and regularly updated by the Bureau of Immigration, which
shall contain such information as the Bureau may deem necessary.

SEC. 14. Appropriations. The amount necessary to cover the initial implementation of this
Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the Bureau of Immigration,
‘Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall
be included in annual General Approp

SEC. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Bureau of Immigration, Department
of Tourism, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology. in
consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations
for the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 16. Separability Clause. — Should any provision of this Act be declared invalid, the
remaining provisions shall continue to be in force and effect.

SEC. 17. Repeating Clause. — Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to amend, 2 repeal, or
modify existing laws, decrees, orders, rules, regulations, or parts 3 thereof, except insofar as
the provisions of this Act apply to foreign nationals who 4 apply for and have been granted
digital nomad visas pursuant to this Act and its 5 implementing rules and regulations.

SEC. 18. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 8 publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,