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Here’s What We Know About The Digital Nomad Visa

by Kevyn Gohu
May 21, 2025

In a world where BPOs and remote work are more commonplace, some need to become a digital nomad to adjust

Remote work has been one of the ways that help stay-at-home parents contribute to the household’s overall cash flow. They take all sorts of jobs, but the problem with some of these is that they have odd work hours just so they can all align with one another. Graveyard shifts or mid-day jobs — these are particularly common, especially in Business Process Outsourcing companies (BPOs) like Accenture, Alorica, Affinity X, and the like. But it’s not healthy to keep sleeping at weird hours, and thus, some find it better to adopt the Digital Nomad lifestyle.

The good news is — the Philippines now has a digital nomad visa. Signed into law last April 24, 2025, the provisions let foreigners who are not migrating work in the Philippines so they can better coordinate with their Filipino colleagues.

What does it mean to be a digital nomad?

Most parents wouldn’t opt for this as it means dragging the kids everywhere. But it might be better, health-wise. Although they’re still enlisted as online workers, the schedule still follows the eight-hour shift, but at that country’s time. So, to make it easier for them and their bodies, they temporarily stay in the country where they’re employed to ensure things are easily and properly communicated.

But for Filipinos who adopted the digital nomad lifestyle, that does not mean they’re an Overseas Filipino Worker. The technicality lies in where they’re employed: while OFWs are registered as working residents in the foreign country, digital nomads are usually moving from one place to another.

In a world where BPOs and remote work are more commonplace, some need to become a digital nomad to adjust

Not just to bring in tourists

According to Malacañang, the visa was designed to bring in more tourists. Considering that many families enjoy the beaches and sights in the Philippines, they don’t always have to use up their paid leaves to enjoy them. As of now, there are at least 40 countries that recognize the digital nomad visa.

Unfortunately, there is no official portal yet to apply for a digital nomad visa. However, the government did release the requirements, which include the following:

At least 18 years old
Must show proof of remote work using digital technology and enough income generated outside the Philippines
Must have no criminal record
Must have a health insurance valid for the duration of the Digital Nomad Visa period
Must be a citizen of a country that offers a Digital Nomad Visa to Filipinos and where the Philippines has a Foreign Service Post
Must not pose a threat to the internal or external security of the Philippines
Must not be employed in the Philippines

Any update since April about the visas?

As of now, some are saying that the digital nomad visa in the Philippines will become available this coming June 2025. So, for families wondering why there are so many people all of a sudden in malls and on the streets, some of them may be digital nomads. Will this visa apply to some of our family members who have migrated long ago to other countries? That may depend on the nature of their work.

However, there is one thing coffee-loving parents can expect: some of our favorite coffee places may fill up faster now that many enjoy working in a café.