Villanueva urges priority for Digital Nomad Visa Bill

Senator Joel Villanueva called on Malacañang to prioritize the passage of the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) Bill, which he authored, to establish a permanent policy framework for foreign remote workers in the Philippines.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Senado forum on Tuesday, Villanueva emphasized that the bill was still necessary despite President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s recent Executive Order allowing digital nomad visas.

The senator argued that a formal law would provide greater stability and legitimacy to the policy.

“It’s a welcome development, but I feel that it’s more appropriate and more permanent and mas magiging solido ang ating polisiya kung magkakaroon tayo ng sariling batas dito gaya ng iba’t-ibang bansa,” Villanueva said.

(It’s a welcome development, but I believe a law would make our policy more appropriate, permanent, and solid—just like in many other countries.)

He appealed to the Palace to certify the bill as urgent, noting there was still time to pass it before the 19th Congress adjourns on June 13.

Villanueva explained that the key distinction between his proposed bill and the President’s Executive Order is the designation of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) as the authority to grant or revoke digital nomad visas.

Under the EO, the Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for facilitating security clearances in coordination with the BI.

Confident in the bill’s prospects, Villanueva said many senators already expressed support for the measure.

“If Malacañang would say we are prioritizing this measure as urgent, I don’t see any reason why we should not be able to pass it sa pagbabalik po ng Kongreso,” he said.

(If Malacañang declares this an urgent priority, I don’t see any reason why we can’t pass it when Congress resumes session.)

He also noted that the bill is relatively straightforward, with only a few details—such as the visa application fee—left to be finalized.

Currently, two DNV bills are pending in the Senate: one filed by Villanueva and another by Senator Imee Marcos. — DVM, GMA Integrated News