In this chapter, I investigate the experiences of Filipino temporary migrants in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on the concepts of absence, presence, and belonging. I examine how digital communication technologies mediate these migrants’ sense of social and political belonging in both their home country, the Philippines, and their host country, Japan. Drawing on Abdelmalek Sayad’s concept of “double absence,” I analyze how the pandemic redefined their physical and virtual presence. Through semi-structured interviews with 24 temporary Filipino migrants, I explore their perceptions of displacement, isolation, and connectivity during the crisis. My findings suggest that while digital platforms mitigate the trauma of absence by fostering a virtual presence, they also reveal the limitations of these technologies in fully replicating the emotional and social intimacy of face-to-face interactions. Moreover, the pandemic exacerbated pre-existing challenges related to language barriers, cultural integration, and mobility restrictions, further complicating their sense of belonging in Japan. Ultimately, I contribute to the growing body of literature on migration and the pandemic, offering insights into how the digital age reshapes migrants’ experiences of absence, presence, and transnational belonging.