Philippines to Launch Digital Nomad Visa, How It Stacks Up in Asia
Photo Credit: Boracay in the Philippines is a popular beach destination. Pixabay / enmoredo
Skift Take
The Philippines may be late to the game, but it still has a shot at winning over remote workers. To compete with the likes of Thailand, Japan, and South Korea, it needs more than beaches — it needs digital infrastructure, government coordination, and a clear pitch: it’s a future-ready remote work hub.
The Philippines is gearing up to launch a digital nomad visa, joining other Asian countries that are opening their doors to remote workers.
For years, travelers have been drawn to the country for its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and famously friendly locals. But like many places, the country’s tourism industry took a big hit during the pandemic. While things are slowly picking up, the number of foreign visitors still hasn’t bounced back fully.
In 2024, the Philippines welcomed around 5.9 million international tourists, well below its target of 7.7 million. On the bright side, tourism revenue hit a record high of PHP 760.5 billion (about $13 billion), showing that those who did visit were spending more.
One big gap came from China. The country had hoped for over 2 million Chinese tourists last year but saw only around 300,000. This drop came after the Philippines suspended its e-visa system for Chinese travelers at the end of 2023, a p
