Philippines unveils digital nomad visa — how to apply

Last week, the Filipino government announced its first-ever digital nomad visa (DNV). The new scheme will allow foreign remote workers to live and work in the Philippines for up to a year as digital nomads, with the option to renew for another year.

Digital nomad visas have been growing in popularity among UK sole traders, as a way to take advantage of the flexibility that remote work offers. So if you feel like ditching your regular office for a spot in the sand, this new visa might be the ticket to a long-term workation.

The scheme has also been booming in Asia. Last year, a number of other nations in the region, including Thailand and Japan began welcoming international workers, as a way to boost the local economy through tourism and new business opportunities.

For remote workers eyeing the Philippines as their next home base, here are a few key things to know about the new DNV — from eligibility requirements and how to apply, to what life is like as a digital nomad in the country.

Are you eligible for the new visa?

As with most digital nomad visas, taking up residency in the Philippines comes with several requirements before you can pack up and start your new working life there. To get the visa, applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have valid health insurance
• Have a clean criminal record
• Earn at least €24,000 (approximately £20,428) annually

Additionally, only citizens from countries that have reciprocal visa arrangements with the Philippines will be eligible to apply. The UK is among those countries, so citizens are eligible to apply for a Philippines visa.

You’ll also need to provide relevant documents to prove your eligibility. These include:

• A valid passport
• Financial records (e.g. bank statements or pay slips)
• Proof of employment (e.g. employment contract)
• Proof of health insurance

How can you apply?

Lines are not officially open for the new DNV, but according to the Philippines News Agency, applications will begin within 60 days. You can apply for the Philippines digital nomad visa through the country’s official online portal. These are the steps you need to follow:

• Create an account on the online portal 
• Fill out the application form and upload the required documents
• Pay the application fee (amount hasn’t yet been published)

During this process, you may also be requested to submit your original documents either through a courier service or personal submission at the Embassy or Consulate. You may also be required to attend a face-to-face interview for further evaluation of your application.

Why work in the Philippines?

If you’re looking for your next hot spot, the Philippines offers a great mix of work-life balance, with fast-growing cities, reliable internet in urban areas and plenty of coworking spaces. 

English is also widely spoken, the cost of living is relatively affordable compared to Western countries, and with over 7,000 islands to explore, you’ll never run out of weekend getaways.

But aside from offering a touch of paradise, Filipino startup businesses are welcoming digital nomads with open arms, as the launch of the new visa is expected to boost startup growth in the country.

That makes it a much friendlier location for digital nomads than some other hotspots, such as Portugal. In the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, nomad-friendly tax incentives have resulted in an influx of remote workers, causing resentment to build among some locals.

“The introduction of the digital nomad visa in the Philippines brings a wealth of diverse backgrounds and professional experiences that can enrich and inspire local founders and tech professionals,” Bit Santos, partner at Kickstart Ventures, told Business World.

“The hope is that the process for digital nomads interested to come and work here is made simple and efficient to make the Philippines an even more desirable destination than it already is, especially as more and more countries are establishing similar initiatives.”