A graduate of Manila Central University in the Philippines and a school dentist for 12 years, Dr. Marvin Adame Felix is among the latest Filipinos to secure the 10-year golden visa, a long-term type of residency visa recently introduced by the UAE government to investors, entrepreneurs, individuals with outstanding talents, researchers, medical professionals, and those within the scientific and knowledge field, and remarkable students.
Felix has been working in Dubai for almost six years now with respective and well-known dental clinics catering or accommodating not only Filipinos but other nationalities. Currently, he works as a GP Dentist for Helix Medical Centre, a dental centre based in Crystal Business Center, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed St, Dubai. His tasks include promoting oral health and disease prevention, diagnosing oral diseases, creating treatment plans to maintain or restore the oral health of his patients, diagnosing and correcting dental and facial irregularities, restoring natural teeth, or replacing missing teeth or oral structures with artificial devices such as dentures.
He added that one of his greatest achievements was to pass the licensure examination to legally work in the emirate. “Working here as an expat is exciting and excellent because you will deal with all the people with their different outlook in life,” he further added.
He also commended the health authority’s initiative not only for its citizens but also for expatriates.
Journey to secure a golden visa
The Filipino dentist said that one of his colleagues told him about the golden visa which could better help him with his residency in the emirate. He inquired how to obtain one so he can continue to help his patients with their dental needs. Felix went to the immigration office in Jaffiliya regarding the requirements and so he gathered all the requirements, including a professional license certificate from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), medical certificate, tenancy contract, health insurance, passport and visa copy, Emirates ID, and the cancellation paper from his current clinic. From there, he proceeded to have all his documents collected to apply for the golden visa.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced last year that medical professionals are included in the list of professions that can apply for the golden visa as they can help the country to better cope with the pandemic and meet the shortfall of medical professionals in the host country.
“I congratulate the leaders of the UAE for the upcoming Expo 2020 and for the 50th anniversary of the UAE. Keep on dreaming and keep on inspiring the people to have a better future here in the UAE,” Felix said.
This story has been featured in the 15th issue of The Global Filipino Magazine. To get a copy, you may contact Mr. Orli Gayeta at +971503196856. If you have an inspiring story or know someone with one, please send an email to us at eic@theglobalfilipinomagazine.com.
