We provide a tailored immigration solutions for those interested in living and working in the United Kingdom.

One aspect of this overall immigration objective involves the Ankara Agreement (also known as the Turkish European Community Association Agreement 1963), which provides Turkish nationals with special visa routes in the UK:

Access to the UK for Turkish Workers, Investors & Entrepreneurs.

Under general immigration rules, Entrepreneurs & Business Persons interested in establishing their businesses in the UK are required to make a visa application under the categories of “Innovator visa” and “Start-up visa.” Both of these categories have strict requirements. For example, for the former category, the applicant must have either have at least £50,000 in investment funds, or the business must be established and endorsed. For the latter category, the applicant must have a unique idea concerning his/her business.

The Ankara Agreement, however, provides Turkish nationals a direct pathway to obtain a Business Person Visa. To be considered under this agreement, the applicant must be: (1) Turkish National; and (2) willing to establish a business in the UK.

The Ankara Agreement provides a direct pathway for Turkish nationals to live and work in the United Kingdom.

Application Process

It is recommended that an application be made 3 months before the preferred date of arrival in the UK. Once the application is submitted, the decision is communicated usually within 12 weeks.

It is recommended that the applicant does not start the business, conduct any relevant research, or make preparations before making the application. Such conduct may result in a refusal of the application. Additionally, an applicant will not be allowed to make an application under this category whilst on a visit visa.

ANKARA AGREEMENT: REQUIREMENTS

 An applicant must comply with the following requirements for the UK Business Person Visa. The applicant must:

  • Demonstrate genuine intention to establish a business;

  • Not be in breach of Immigration Laws;

  • Have the necessary skills and abilities to establish and run the business;

  • Have sufficient funds or assets to establish the business;

  • Be able to cover all costs and liabilities concerning the business;

  • Clearly identify his/her role in the business and not engage in any unlawful employment; and

  • Prove the profits earned from the business are enough to maintain applicant and any dependents.

     

If the applicant is joining an existing business in the UK, then the following must be satisfied:

  • The applicant must demonstrate that he/she will play an active role in the business;

  • The applicant must show that his/her skills are important for and needed by the business; and

  • The applicant must provide documentary evidence, for example: business plans, partnership agreements, qualifications, evidence of finances, evidence of investment, etc.

ADVANTAGES OF THE ANKARA AGREEMENT

No Minimum Investment Requirements

No Formal Business Plan Required

Minimal threshold requirements to prove financial independence

No English Language Requirements

No government application fee

The Ankara Agreement presents one of the most accessible pathways to live and work in the United Kingdom

VISA DURATION & FUTURE PLANNING

If the application is successful, the applicant can remain in the UK for 12 months. The applicant may also apply for an extension to remain in the UK. The decision for an extension is usually communicated within 6 months. The extension is ordinarily granted for 3 years. However, in some cases (i.e. no business operations, lack of documentation, no revenues, etc.), the applicant may be allowed to remain in the UK for only 12 months.

After 4 years of operating your business, the applicant can then apply to remain in the United Kingdom as a permanent resident.

 

Turkish Worker Visa for the U.K.

A Turkish national who is legally employed in the UK may apply for an extension visa. To be considered under the Ankara agreement, the applicant must be: (1) A Turkish National; and (2) Legally employed in the U.K.

 

 DURATION OF STAY, EXTENSION AND INDEFINITE LEAVE TO REMAIN

If the application is successful, the applicant can remain in the UK as a Turkish ECAA worker. After working for 3 years continuously, a Turkish ECAA worker has the option to change employers. However, the worker must continue to work in the same industry/profession for those 3 years. After 4 years, the worker has the option to leave the industry. This is a broad category as it includes students and au pairs.

It is important to note that an applicant choosing this route cannot apply for Permanent Residency to remain in the UK indefinitely

 

CORE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE U.K. “WORK VISA”

  • The applicant must already have a valid visa (under Tier 1, 2 or 4);

  • The applicant must not have provided any false documentation in proving their employment;

  • Relevant formalities concerning employment must be satisfied, such as taxes, pensions, health, etc.

  • The applicant must be legally allowed to work in the UK; and

  • The applicant must have worked for the same employer for one year uninterruptedly.

DEPENDENTS OF THE U.K. WORK VISA

The ECCA Agreement allows dependents of Turkish ECAA workers to apply for a visa as well. The application for the dependents can be made directly or separately. An applicant must comply with the following requirements:

  • The applicant must be a spouse or a partner of a Turkish ECAA worker; 

  • The partners/spouses must be in a genuine relationship;

  • The partners/spouses have an intention to live together;

  • The relationship between the spouses must be legally recognizable in the UK;

  • Neither spouses must be in another similar legally binding relationship; 

  • Where the applicant is not married to a Turkish ECAA worker, the applicant must have been in a relationship with a Turkish ECAA worker for at least 2 years; and 

  • The partners/spouses have no intention to remain in the UK beyond the granted leave period.