Visa (NYSE: V) has expanded the Philippines’ digital payments landscape with the launch of Garmin Pay, enabling eligible Visa cardholders to make contactless payments directly from compatible Garmin smartwatches.
The rollout allows holders of eligible Visa debit and credit cards issued by participating banks, including GoTyme Bank, as well as supported foreign-issued cards, to tap and pay at contactless-enabled terminals nationwide without needing to carry a physical card or mobile phone.
The launch marks another step in the country’s shift toward cashless transactions, following the global payment company’s collaboration with Google in 2025 to introduce Google Wallet and Google Pay to the Philippine market.
Garmin Pay leverages Visa’s tokenization technology, which replaces sensitive card details with unique digital tokens during transactions.
The technology is designed to enhance payment security by preventing actual card numbers from being shared with merchants or stored on devices, helping reduce fraud risks associated with digital payments.
The Philippines becomes the fifth Southeast Asian market to support Garmin Pay, joining Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Visa taps wearable payments trend in Philippines
In a press release, the world leader in digital payments said the expansion reflects growing consumer demand for alternative payment methods across the region.
According to the company’s latest Visa Consumer 360 study, [1] more than 71% of consumers in Asia Pacific prefer using mobile or smart devices when making in-store purchases and other payment transactions.
Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager of Visa Philippines
“Contactless payment platforms such as Garmin Pay amplify Visa’s benefit to Filipinos, enabling speed, convenience, and security with every contactless transaction,” said Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager of Visa Philippines.
“With Garmin Pay, Visa provides Filipinos with safer, more convenient ways to pay across shops, public transport, and tourist destinations, empowering local merchants to embrace digital payments and supporting the government’s push to become a cash-lite economy,” he added.
The launch also comes as the country continues to strengthen its digital payments infrastructure under broader financial inclusion and digitalization initiatives.
Beyond everyday retail transactions, the global payments company sees wearable payments playing a role in improving travel experiences for both local and international travelers.
According to Visa’s Global Travel Intentions Study, 97% of travelers across Asia Pacific [2] prefer using credit, debit, or prepaid cards during trips, while only 17% intend to bring foreign currency.
The company noted that payment acceptance remains a challenge for some visitors to the Philippines. The company’s research also found that 44% of tourists encountered payment-related issues during their travels in the country, including merchants that do not accept their preferred payment methods.
As wearable technology gains traction globally, the addition of Garmin Pay further broadens the range of digital payment options available to Filipino consumers, reinforcing the country’s alignment with regional trends toward contactless, mobile, and device-based transactions.
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[1] Launched in 2020 as Green Shoots Radar, Visa Consumer 360 is an ongoing study that tracks consumer spending patterns, payment preferences, financial attitudes, and emerging trends across Asia Pacific. The latest online survey, conducted in January 2026, gathered insights from 16,250 consumers aged 18–65 across 17 markets, providing nationally representative views across the region, including 1,000 respondents from the Philippines. The study is a flagship research initiative led by Visa’s Asia Pacific Strategy, Insights and Analytics team.
[2] Visa. (2023). Global Travel Intentions Study. https://usa.visa.com/partner-with-us/visa-consulting-analytics/economic-insights/chinas-reopening-sets-global-travel-on-path-to-full-recovery-in-2023.html
