UAE retirement and residency

Expats who have lived and worked in the UAE for decades face a tough choice if they want to stay as they reach retirement age - keep working, be sponsored by their children or pack up and go elsewhere.

Many of those affected reckon they deserve the right to stay indefinitely if they have the means to look after themselves.

Jonathan Frewin meets some of them, asks why rules on permanent residency are so tough and explores whether there is a chance laws may be relaxed anytime soon.