Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 795 
Introduced by Representative Francisco T. Matugas 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Covid-19 pandemic drastically changed the way work is done all over the 
world. Work is no longer confined to office spaces or corporate towers. The digital age 
has given rise to a new generation of professionals—the digital nomads—who need 
only a laptop and a reliable internet connection to get work done. 
The Philippines is one of the best places in the world for digital nomads. We 
offer a premier tourist destination composed of more than 7,000 islands, warm and 
hospitable people, low cost of living, and a culture of resilience and community. Our 
people are globally known for our proficiency in English and our openness to diverse 
cultures. We have all the ingredients—except a formal, friendly policy that welcomes 
these global citizens to live, work, and contribute to our economy. 
Recognizing the contribution of digital nomads in the promotion of tourism, 
economic development, and digital innovation in the country, His Excellency 
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. issued Executive Order No. 86 in April 2025 to 
facilitate the entry of digital nomads in the country. It is time for us to follow the 
executive’s lead and pass this law. 
The proposed Digital Nomad Visa will allow qualified foreign nationals to 
legally reside in the Philippines for a period of 12 months, renewable for another 12 
months, while working remotely for foreign employers. It lays down the qualifications 
for the grant of the visa and the conditions for the continued stay of digital nomads 
in the country. With the safeguards which this bill has put in place, we can ensure 
that our country benefits without compromising national interests.
July 1, 2025
1:07 pm


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This bill was initially filed by Hon. Francisco Jose F. Matugas II during the 
19th Congress. This version was the version passed by the Committee on Justice after 
meticulous technical working groups and committee hearings. 
This bill is more than legislation—it is an invitation. It tells the world that the 
Philippines is open, safe, and ready for the future of work. It is not just a 
policy measure, but a bold step toward a more connected, inclusive, and globally 
relevant Philippines. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
FRANCISCO T. MATUGAS 
Representative 
First District, Surigao del Norte 


1 
Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 795 
Introduced by Representative Francisco T. Matugas 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING 
THE 
REQUIREMENTS, 
CONDITIONS, 
BENEFITS, AND INCENTIVES FOR ACQUIRING A DIGITAL 
NOMAD VISA, 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 
1 
Act.” 
2 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
3 
promote and develop the country as a leading destination and hub for remote 
4 
workers. By encouraging the entry of highly skilled foreign nationals who engage in 
5 
remote work, the State aims to boost economic growth, enrich cultural 
6 
understanding, 
foster 
international 
cooperation, 
create 
local 
employment 
7 
opportunities, 
and 
cultivate 
an 
environment 
that 
supports 
technological 
8 
advancements and innovative practices. 
9 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act: 
10 
(a)
Alien or foreign national refers to an individual not a citizen of the
11 
Republic of the Philippines;
12 


 
 
(b) Digital nomad refers to a non-restricted alien who travels freely while 
1 
working remotely for a foreign client or employer using information and 
2 
communications technology; 
3 


 
2 
(c) Digital Nomad Visa refers to a type of visa granted to an individual 
1 
pursuant to the provisions of this Act; 
2 
(d) Foreign client or employer refers to a person, corporation, organization, 
3 
or any other legal entity not a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines or 
4 
not registered pursuant to existing Philippine laws, that hires, employs, or 
5 
otherwise engages an individual to perform work or service of any kind in 
6 
exchange for a salary, wage, or other valuable consideration; 
7 
(e) Information 
and 
communications 
technology 
refers 
to 
all 
8 
communication technologies, including the internet, wireless networks, 
9 
cellular phones, computers, software, videoconferencing, social media/social 
10 
networking, and other media applications, platforms, or services, that 
11 
enable users to perform work or services of any kind for a client or employer 
12 
remotely; and 
13 
(f) 
Remote work refers to a working arrangement that allows an individual 
14 
to regularly perform work or services of any kind for a client or employer 
15 
outside of an office or a regular place of work or business, primarily through 
16 
the use of information and communications technology. 
17 
 
SEC. 4. Application for Digital Nomad Visa. - An alien who is gainfully 
18 
employed in a country other than the Republic of the Philippines, or who otherwise 
19 
performs remote work for a foreign client or employer, may apply for and be granted 
20 
a digital nomad visa to stay in the Philippines for a period of twelve (12) months, 
21 
renewable for another twelve (12) months, subject to the requirements and conditions 
22 
provided in this Act. 
23 
SEC. 5. Qualifications. - Aliens or foreign nationals applying for a digital 
24 
nomad visa must possess all of the following qualifications: 
25 
(a) 
At least eighteen (18) years of age; 
26 
(b) 
Gainfully employed in a country outside the Republic of the Philippines, or 
27 
engaged in remote work for a foreign client or employer as defined in this 
28 
Act;
29 


 
3 
(c) 
Insured under an international health insurance policy with coverage in 
1 
the Philippines; and 
2 
(d) Derives income solely from sources outside the Philippines: Provided, That 
3 
such income must be sufficient to support the applicant throughout the stay 
4 
in the Philippines. 
5 
SEC. 6. Requirements. - An alien or foreign national who wishes to apply for a 
6 
digital nomad visa must present or submit the following: 
7 
(a) 
Proof of employment or contract for services, or any other document 
8 
evidencing that the alien is engaged in remote work for a foreign client or 
9 
employer; 
10 
(b) 
Proof of income or ability to support the applicant for the duration of the 
11 
stay in the Philippines: Provided, That such income or means of support is 
12 
derived solely from sources outside of the Philippines; 
13 
(c) 
International health insurance policy with coverage in the Philippines and 
14 
valid for the duration of the stay; 
15 
(d) 
Proof that the applicant has no criminal record in the applicant's country 
16 
of citizenship; 
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(e) 
Address of residence or accommodation in the Philippines; 
18 
(f) 
Written undertaking, subscribed under oath before an officer authorized to 
19 
administer oaths under Philippine laws, that the applicant: 
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(1) 
will not engage in gainful employment for or will derive income from 
21 
a client or employer in the Philippines; and 
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(2) 
will not engage in illegal activities, activities detrimental to the public 
23 
interest, or violate any of the laws, ordinances, rules and regulations 
24 
of the Philippines; and 
25 
(g) 
Such other requirements that may be imposed under the rules and 
26 
regulations implementing this Act.
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SEC. 7. Conditions for Continued Stay under a Digital Nomad Visa. - As 
1 
condition for the continued stay in the Philippines under a digital nomad visa, an 
2 
alien or foreign national shall: 
3 
(a) 
not engage in gainful employment for or derive income from a client or 
4 
employer in the Philippines: Provided, That a digital nomad who wishes 
5 
to derive income from any source in the Philippines shall apply for the 
6 
applicable visa and permits under existing laws, rules, and regulations, 
7 
and shall be liable for the applicable taxes on such income sourced 
8 
within the Philippines in accordance with the National Internal 
9 
Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, and its implementing rules and 
10 
regulations; 
11 
(b) 
not engage in any illegal activity or activities detrimental to the public 
12 
interest, or violate any of the laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations of 
13 
the Philippines; 
14 
(c) 
maintain adequate health insurance coverage for the duration of the 
15 
stay in the Philippines as a digital nomad; and 
16 
(d) 
comply with the annual reporting requirement of the Bureau of 
17 
Immigration (BI). 
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SEC. 8. Conversion of Visa. - Pursuant to existing immigration laws, rules and 
19 
regulations, a foreign national who is a holder of a valid temporary visitor's visa may 
20 
apply with the BI for the conversion of the temporary visitor's visa into a digital 
21 
nomad visa: Provided, That such foreign national must possess all of the 
22 
qualifications and must submit all the requirements provided in this Act. 
23 
Foreign nationals who have been successfully granted a conversion of visa 
24 
must comply with all the conditions set forth in this Act. Any violation of such 
25 
conditions shall be ground for the cancellation of the visa and shall subject the foreign 
26 
national to fines and penalties provided in this Act and under existing laws, rules and 
27 
regulations.
28 


 
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SEC. 9. Re-entry. - An alien or foreign national who has been granted a digital 
1 
nomad visa shall be allowed to exit and re-enter the Philippines without need to 
2 
secure additional permits for the duration of the digital nomad visa. 
3 
SEC. 10. Income from Sources Outside the Country. - An alien or foreign 
4 
national who has been granted a digital nomad visa shall not be deemed a resident 
5 
of the Philippines for taxation purposes, and the income they receive while in the 
6 
country from their client or employer outside the Philippines shall not be considered 
7 
as income from sources within the Philippines, in accordance with existing laws and 
8 
international tax treaties. 
9 
SEC. 11. Cancellation of Digital Nomad Visa. - The digital nomad visa of a 
10 
foreign national shall be cancelled if such foreign national: 
11 
(a) 
has failed to comply with any of the conditions set forth in this Act; 
12 
(b) 
no longer possesses any of the qualifications set forth in this Act; 
13 
(c) 
has 
been 
found 
to 
have 
submitted 
fraudulent 
documentary 
14 
requirements or false information during the initial application for or 
15 
conversion to a digital nomad visa; or 
16 
(d) 
is found to possess or to have committed any of the grounds for exclusion 
17 
or deportation. 
18 
A foreign national whose digital nomad visa has been cancelled shall no longer 
19 
be allowed to apply for another digital nomad visa. 
20 
SEC. 12. Reciprocity. - A foreign national applying for a digital nomad visa 
21 
must be a citizen of a country, state, or territory that grants to citizens of the Republic 
22 
of the Philippines the same rights and privileges granted to foreign nationals under 
23 
this Act. For this purpose, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shall maintain, 
24 
regularly update, and share with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the BI, a 
25 
database of countries, states, and territories that allow Filipinos to acquire digital 
26 
nomad visas or any other similar visa with the same rights and privileges provided 
27 
in this Act.
28 


 
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SEC. 13. Digital Nomad Visa Register. - A register of all aliens or foreign 
1 
nationals issued digital nomad visas shall be maintained and regularly updated by 
2 
the BI, in coordination with the DFA, the Department of Information and 
3 
Communications Technology (DICT), and the DOT. 
4 
SEC. 14. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial 
5 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations 
6 
of the Departments and agencies concerned. Thereafter, such so amount shall be 
7 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
8 
SEC. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from 
9 
the effectivity of this Act, the DFA, the Department of Justice, the DICT, and the 
10 
DOT, shall, in consultation with the BI, promulgate the necessary rules and 
11 
regulations for the implementation of this Act. 
12 
SEC. 16. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared 
13 
invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue to be in force and effect. 
14 
SEC. 17. Repealing Clause. - Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to amend, 
15 
repeal, or modify existing laws, decrees, orders, rules, regulations, or parts thereof, 
16 
except insofar as the provisions of this Act apply to foreign nationals who apply for 
17 
and have been granted digital nomad visas pursuant to this Act and its implementing 
18 
rules and regulations. 
19 
SEC. 18. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
20 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
21 
Approved, 
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