Visa has officially launched Garmin Pay in the Philippines, allowing eligible Visa debit and credit cardholders to make secure, contactless payments directly from compatible Garmin smartwatches.
The service is now available for Visa cards issued by GoTyme Bank, as well as supported foreign-issued Visa cards, enabling Garmin users to pay effortlessly at any contactless-enabled payment terminal nationwide. The launch marks another significant step in accelerating digital payments adoption in the Philippines while delivering greater convenience, security, and flexibility to consumers.
With Garmin Pay, users can simply tap their smartwatch to pay for purchases—whether at retail stores, restaurants, public transportation systems, or tourist destinations—without needing to pull out their wallet or mobile phone.
The new payment capability is powered by Visa’s advanced tokenization technology, which enhances transaction security by replacing sensitive card information with a unique digital token. This helps significantly reduce fraud risks by ensuring that actual card numbers are never shared with merchants or stored on devices.
Garmin Pay further expands the growing ecosystem of contactless payment options in the country, following Visa and Google’s successful launch of Google Wallet and Google Pay in the Philippines in 2025.
The Philippines now joins Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia as one of the Southeast Asian markets where Garmin Pay is available, bringing the country closer to regional and global standards in payments innovation and digitalization.
Consumer demand for digital payments continues to rise across the Asia-Pacific region. According to Visa research, more than 71% of consumers prefer using mobile phones, smartwatches, and other connected devices when making in-store purchases and payments.
“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 for 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.”
Beyond everyday spending, Garmin Pay is also expected to enhance travel experiences for both Filipinos going abroad and international visitors exploring the Philippines. Across the Asia-Pacific region, 97% of travelers say they prefer using credit, debit, or prepaid cards during their trips, while only 17% plan to carry foreign currency.
The launch addresses a key pain point for travelers as well. Visa research found that 44% of tourists visiting the Philippines have encountered payment-related challenges, including merchants that do not accept their preferred payment methods. By expanding contactless payment acceptance and offering a globally recognized payment solution, Garmin Pay helps create a smoother, more seamless travel experience for visitors and locals alike.
As digital payments continue to reshape commerce, the introduction of Garmin Pay reinforces Visa’s commitment to driving innovation, enhancing security, and making everyday transactions faster and more convenient for consumers across the Philippines.