TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. ^39
25 JUL-8 P5--03
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.1 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.2
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.4
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.
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 Forum, The Rise of Global Digital Jobs (2024). Availabie at 
https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_The_Rise_of_Globai_DigitaUobs_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).
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.
JOEc VILLANUEVA
Harvard Business Review. How "Digital Nomad" Visas Can Boost Local Economies. Published on 27 May 2022. 
Available at https://hbr.org/2022/05/how-digital-nomad-visas-can-boost-local-economies (Accessed on 13 May 
2025).


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
JIJL-8 P5 :03
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 239
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:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be referred to as the "Digital
2 
Nomad Visa Act."
3 
SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms
4 
are defined as follows:
5 
(a) Alien refers to an individual who is not a citizen of the Republic of the
6 
Philippines;
7 
(b) Digital Nomad refers to an individual who works remotely using
8 
digital technologies while travelling to different countries;
9 
(c) Digital Nomad Visa refers to the visa granted by the Department of
10 
Foreign Affairs to a person to whom this Act applies.
11 
SEC. 3. Digital Nomad Visa. - An alien who is employed in a country
12 
other than the Republic of the Philippines may, upon making an application to
13 
the Department of Foreign Affairs, be granted a Digital Nomad Visa to work in
14 
the Philippines for a period of twelve (12) months, renewable for another twelve
15 
(12) months, subject to the following conditions:
16 
(a) Said individual must be at least eighteen (18) years old;
1


1 
(b) Said individual is a digital nomad as defined in Section 2 of this Act;
2 
(c) Said individual can show valid proof of sufficient income, based on
3 
standards to be determined by the Department of Foreign Affairs, in
4 
consultation with relevant government agencies, and that said
5 
income is generated outside of the Philippines;
6 
(d) Said individual holds a valid health insurance valid for the period for
7 
which the Digital Nomad Visa is granted;
8 
(e) Said individual must not have a criminal record in his home country
9 
and will not be a threat to the Republic of the Philippines;
10 
(f) Said individual will pay a fee to be determined by the Department of
11 
Foreign Affairs to cover the cost of processing and issuing the visa;
12 
(g) Said individual will pay a reasonable Entry Fee and Exit Fee, the
13 
amount of which will be determined by the Department of Foreign
14 
Affairs.
15 
SEC. 4. Effect of Grant of Visa. - An alien who has been granted a
16 
digital nomad visa shall not be deemed a resident of the Philippines for taxation
17 
purposes and the income they receive from their employer abroad, while in the
18 
country, shall not be considered income from Philippine sources.
19 
SEC. 5. No Employment in the Philippines. - An alien who has been
20 
granted a Digital Nomad Visa shall not be employed in the Philippines.
21 
SEC. 6. Revocation of Visa. - The Department of Foreign Affairs may
22 
revoke the Digital Nomad Visa if the holder violates any of the terms or
23 
conditions of the visa, or if it is determined that the holder no longer meets the
24 
qualifications established in Section 3 hereof.
25 
SEC. 7. Digital Nomad Visa Register. - A register of all individuals
26 
Issued a Digital Nomad Visa shall be maintained by the Department of Foreign
27 
Affairs and shall contain such information as the Department may deem
28 
necessary.
29 
SEC. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to cover the initial
30 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's
31 
appropriations of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Thereafter, the funding
32 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.


1 
SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of
2 
Foreign Affairs, shall, in consultation with the Bureau of Immigration,
3 
Department of Tourism, Department of Finance, Department of the Interior and
4 
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.
8 
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.
11 
SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
12 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the
13 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
14 
SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
15 
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of
16 
general circulation.
Approved,