In June 2023, the Philippines introduced a digital nomad visa program, which would allow remote workers to live in the Philippines for up to two years. However, the visa is still not officially launched, and there is limited information on how exactly the program will function.
We will update with more information once there is an official update about its launch.
Who Can Apply for a Digital Nomad Visa to the Philippines?
Although there are no official requirements yet, we can assume that the criteria will be similar to other digital nomad visa programs. This means, you have to meet at least these basic requirements:
- You must work for an employer or clients outside the Philippines.
- You must be able to sustain yourself financially. Usually, there is a minimum income requirement, but this has not been disclosed yet.
- You must have a valid health insurance policy.
- You must have a clean criminal record.
How to Apply for the Philippines Digital Nomad Visa?
There are three ways you can apply for a visa to the Philippines:
- At an embassy or consulate
- On arrival
- Online
The method of application depends on your nationality and the type of visa you are applying for. Since there is no official procedure announced for the digital nomad visa, you just have to follow the application process based on your nationality.
See how to apply for a Philippines visa here.
What Documents Will I Have to Submit?
As a digital nomad, you will be expected to provide at least the following basic documents when applying for a Philippines visa:
- Your valid passport.
- Proof you have a remote job:
- Employment contracts, or
- Invoices, or
- Proof of business ownership
- Proof of the required minimum monthly income.
- Proof of health insurance.
- Criminal record certificate.
The full list of documents will be available once the visa program is officially operational.
Do I Need to Pay Taxes as a Digital Nomad in the Philippines?
If you plan to live in the Philippines for more than 183 days, you will be taxed on your worldwide income. The tax system is progressive, with rates varying from 5% to 32%, depending on the income bracket:
| Income in PHP | Tax rate |
| 0 – 10,000 | 5% |
| 10,000 – 30,000 | 10% |
| 30,000 – 70,000 | 15% |
| 70,000 – 140,000 | 20% |
| 140,000 – 250,000 | 25% |
| 250,000 – 500,000 | 30% |
| 500,000 and above | 32% |
Benefits of Living in the Philippines as a Digital Nomad
If you’re considering the Philippines as your next digital nomad spot, here are three reasons why that’s a good idea:
- Friendly people. The Filipinos are widely known to be friendly and welcoming. Moreover, English is commonly spoken, so you won’t have a problem communicating and making new friends.
- Affordable cost of living. The Philippines is relatively affordable, especially by Western standards, although the cost of living largely depends on where exactly you plan to live. Naturally larger cities will have a higher cost of living, but they are also the most accommodating to expats and digital nomads.
- Plenty of available coworking spaces. If you ever feel like working in a communal environment while in the Philippines, you can find many coworking spaces where you have internet access, cafeterias, and even meeting rooms.
Living Costs for Digital Nomads in the Philippines
The cost of living in the Philippines is not as high as it is in the US or other Western countries. Generally, a single person living in the Philippines may need less than $1000 per month to live comfortably, but this naturally depends on many factors, including lifestyle and where you will be settled.
This is a general overview of what you can expect basics to cost in the Philippines (approximately):
| Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the City Center | $275 |
| Rent for a one-bedroom apartment outside of City Center | $150 |
| Basic utilities (per month) | $95 |
| One-way ticket (local transport) | $0.25 |
| Monthly pass (regular price) | $9.50 |
| Monthly groceries (one person) | $150-$180 |
Coworking Spaces for Digital Nomads in the Philippines
Some of the coworking spaces you can find in the Philippines are:
- Acceler8 by UnionSPACE
- Common Ground Philippines
- A SPACE Cebu
- The Company Cebu
- Launchpad Coworking
- Dreamwork Coworking Space
- Regus Bagui