MANILA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has been authorized to issue digital nomad visas for foreign nationals seeking to temporarily reside and work remotely in the country, the Presidential Communications Office said Friday.

To further boost Philippine tourism and economy, President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos has issued an executive order, "establishing a legal framework to facilitate the entry of digital nomads," the office said in a press release.

Foreigners applying for the digital nomad visas must be at least 18 years old, show proof of remote work using digital technology and sufficient income generated outside the Philippines, and have an unblemished criminal record, said the office.

Often relying on the Internet and mobile devices for connectivity, a digital nomad is described as a person who works remotely using technology. They travel and live in various locations while working.

Because of the country's relatively lower cost of living and its scenic spots, the Philippines is becoming a "haven" for digital nomads, the office said.

The World Economic Forum ranked the Philippines as the seventh fastest-growing remote work hub country in the world in 2023, it added. ■