How to apply for a 10-year golden visa in the UAE - Pocketful of Dirhams

First unveiled last year, the scheme was expanded recently to include more professions

Over the past few weeks, the UAE has seen a number of legal and immigration changes that will have a big effect on life in the Emirates.

Among them is a very significant expansion to the UAE's golden visa scheme, which offers a 10-year residency visa to expatriate workers in certain professions.

First introduced in May last year to give exceptional workers and foreign investors the chance to establish deeper roots in the UAE, the scheme also allows the country to benefit from their expertise.

Now the programme has been expanded, with all doctors now qualifying for the long-term residency visa, as well as more scientists, data experts and high-scoring school and university students.

So how does the visa work? How do you find out if you are eligible to apply and why is this important for the country?

Host Alice Haine is joined by Haider Hussain, partner in the UAE office of immigration specialists Fragomen.

Listen to last week's episode on how the UAE's new law on wills and inheritance affects you