Ever wanted to work from anywhere in the world? With today’s technology, you now can by becoming a digital nomad.
A digital nomad is a remote worker who travels from country to country while earning money online. Instead of our accustomed “work from home,” s/he works from anywhere s/he desires. What a life! (It’s not all fun though. So consider these crucial things before becoming one.)
And with the pandemic, more and more companies are open to having a remote setup. So you see a lot of Filipinos are working from around the country. Working from a beach paradise? Yes, please!
But as borders are opening, why not travel around the world? And to put it notches further, why not stay there for as long as you can? The problem is, it’s quite costly to travel outside the Philippines. After all, we’re living in a third world country.
But with remote working, we now have access to quite lucrative online job opportunities.
But still, you don’t want to break the bank while enjoying your trip around the world. So here are 5 affordable countries you can easily become digital nomads as a Filipino Remote Worker.
Thailand (30 Days)
Who can forget Thailand? Thailand is one of the digital nomad hubs, especially Chiang Mai boasting super-fast internet connectivity. It’s also home to world heritage sites, beautiful beaches, and historical sceneries. Staying in the Land of the Smiles will surely be an experience in your Digital Nomad journey.
For Filipinos, you can enter the country for 30 days visa-free.
Will it be expensive? Not really. The cost of living index in Thailand is around 43.21. In comparison, the Philippines is at 37.06. So your expenses are similarly priced compared to our home country. You don’t have to break the bank just to live there.
If you want to stay for a longer period, you can also opt for the Special Tourist Visa. It allows you to stay longer for 90-days. And it can be extended two more times for a total of 270 days.
There will also be a digital nomad visa available for more extended stays in the future. It surely is a Filipino remote worker haven. Sawadee ka!
Vietnam (21 days)
Another country that should be on your list is Vietnam. Most digital nomads stay in Ho Chi Minh, a 2-hour flight from its capital. You can experience the best of Vietnamese cuisine and culture with relatively low living expenses. Luckily, you can also nab flights straight to this digital nomad hub.
As for the expenses, you can expect to live comfortably here with an above-average Filipino salary. The cost of living index of Vietnam is rated at 37.48 compared to our 37.06.
In Vietnam, Filipinos can stay for around 21 days without a visa. You can also stay for 3-months longer by extending your visa for a fee.
Bali, Indonesia (30 days)
From our nearest regional relatives, Bali would be a paradise that you would love. From the zen in the mountains of Ubud or the surfing regions of Canggu, you can see a thriving digital nomad community on the island. And literally, you might be mistaken as Balinese when you travel to Bali. I have! And it feels like home!
The cost of living index is around 35.85 compared to our 37.06. So expect that goods will be reasonably priced for your salary.
For Filipinos, you can opt to stay for 30 days visa-free. And you can extend by getting a Social, Tourist or cultural Visa (B-211) for another 30 days for up to three times! That’s around half a year already in this wonderful paradise.
Colombia (90 days)
Who says South America is too expensive? You can also affordably become a digital nomad on the other side of the globe. Your gateway is Colombia!
Medellin, Colombia is another hotspot for digital nomads. It’s a town of innovation with cable cars, eco-parks and cultural landmarks that boasts Latin American history. It’s all about art, murals, and trendy living in this thriving city.
With a 26.72 cost of living index, expect affordable expenditure similarly or even lower than in the Philippines.
Filipinos can stay up to 90 days in Colombia. And you can re-enter for another 90 days without the need for additional visas. But take note that you can only stay for 180 days in a year.
Portugal (90 days)
Who dreams of going to Europe? European countries are notorious for high standards of living. How can a regular Filipino remote worker afford to travel here? Let alone stay for a number of months?
With a Schengen visa, Filipinos can travel around the European union for 90 days. But if you’re staying for a couple of months, better make Portugal your gateway country.
Portugal’s cost of living index is at 47.94 compared to our 37.06. In general, it’s one notch pricier compared to our goods.
Experience the Baroque architectural wonders, churches, and castles around the metro. You can also walk into some historical sites that are deeply connected with the Spanish occupation. It’s literally a walk around memory lane while working from Portugal.
If you want to stay longer, you can opt for their temporary resident visa (D7 passive income visa) as long as you meet the income requirements of around €600 EURO (roughly 35,000 PHP) per month. That’s definitely doable with remote working.
Conclusion
As borders open, are you excited to become a digital nomad? You can easily traverse the continents by starting with the countries above first.
But if you don’t have the budget yet, you can start with the Philippines! After all, most foreigners dream of working from paradise here. Why not take advantage of it?
If you’re still looking for location-independent sources of income, you can check our current offerings here. Cheers!
