Philippines will launch another "long-term visa"! Maximum stay is 24 months! Or another way to become a "vegetable farmer" into the Philippines?

The Judiciary Committee of the Philippine House of Representatives has discussed a bill that seeks to grant 12-month visas to digital nomads (foreigners who are employed abroad but use digital technology to work remotely).

It is reported that the visa can be renewed for another 12 months.

Under House Bill 8165, to qualify for the proposed digital nomad visa, the following conditions would need to be met:

1. Must be over 18 years of age;

Proof of sufficient income generated outside the Philippines;

(3) have valid health insurance;

4, must not have a criminal record in the country;

5. Pay the processing fee, visa fee and entry and exit fee determined by the Immigration Bureau.

The author of the bill, Francisco José Matugas II (Francisco Jose "Bingo" Matugas II), a representative of the first district of North Surie High, said that the granting of digital nomadic visas would benefit the country's tourism industry and economy.

Matugas noted that as the global digital nomadic population has grown following the lockdown triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, 54 countries are already offering the same type of visa.

Speaking at the hearing, Matugas said: "After the lockdown, many employees have chosen not only to work from home, but also to work in tourist destinations where they can explore the local beauty while working. In a 2020 study, it was noted that the number of digital nomads in the United States alone has increased dramatically, up 50% from 2019."

"The emergence of digital nomad visas comes as governments at all levels realize that nomads spend more money than tourists, do not put too much pressure on public services, create jobs for locals, and even start local businesses... Providing digital nomad visas allows digital nomads to stay in the country longer and spend more money, thereby helping to boost the local economy, especially tourism, which is affected by the epidemic."

However, Jonathan Keith Flores, representative of the Second District of Buchinon, and Leilani Fericiano, director of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), expressed concerns about the "broad" definition of digital nomads and proposed to refine it, Leilani Feliciano.

Flores asked: "Can anyone use it to circumvent other requirements that we may have in terms of the entry of foreign workers, especially for the increased danger of online gambling company employees who use this as an entry channel?"

"Part of our observation about the House bill is its ambiguity and lack of scope and limitations… definitions that are too broad… We want to rethink and rework this bill to have a more specific definition of the digital nomad visa," Ferriciano said.... Of course, we always support the country's tourism goals... but we are also very concerned about security factors, online bookmakers and criminals entering, and this digital nomadic visa can be used as another way for them to enter."

She added: "We are also already looking at very specific documentation requirements, which will really prove that they are digital nomads, and they have to be very strict. Because they are coming to work, they don't even have to pay taxes on their salary. So we have to have very clear, strict standards and documentation requirements."

The Justice Department has proposed to include a provision in the bill that would explicitly prohibit digital nomadic visa holders from working for local online gaming companies.

The Foreign Office suggested that the House panel hear the views of the country's security agencies on the bill. It also requested the Commission to reconsider the proposal to designate the Department of Immigration as the authority for issuing digital nomadic visas, adding that Philippine law obliges the Department of Foreign Affairs to process and issue entry visas from abroad.

The group set up a technical working group to refine the definition of digital nomadic workers and incorporate input from government agencies and additional safeguards.