Philippines opens doors to digital nomads with new visa  

This means foreign workers who do their jobs online can now live in the country while working for employers abroad.

According to Business Standard, the new visa programme started on April 24, after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed it into law.

With this move, the Philippines joins other Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia that already offer similar visas.

The government hopes the new scheme will attract long-stay visitors who can boost the economy by spending money locally.

To apply, people must be 18 or older, show they work remotely, and prove they earn enough money outside the Philippines.

They must also have health insurance and no criminal record. The visa does not allow people to work for companies inside the country.

If accepted, digital nomads can stay in the Philippines for up to one year but can renew their visa for another year and enter the country multiple times during the visa’s validity.

However, the visa will be cancelled if a person breaks the rules, lies in their application, or gets a job locally.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has assured that it will work with other government agencies to make sure the visa is given fairly and managed well. A system will also be created to track all digital nomad visa holders.

The Philippines has also started an online visa system for Indian travellers.

This lets them apply for and pay for their visa through the internet and receive it by email. Officials hope this change will make visiting the Philippines easier and faster for Indian tourists.