The Purpose of This Visa Application
The ECAA Turkish Businessperson visa, which is commonly known as Ankara Agreement, had been for Turkish nationals who wished to set up their own businesses to work and live in the UK. After 31 December 2020 when the UK left the EU, this visa type ceased to be available for new applications. However, Turkish nationals who already possess the ECAA visa can continue to extend them.
If you are seeking a way to establish your own business in the UK, you can check the “Start-up” or “Innovator” pages on our website.
Turkish Businessperson – Visa Extension Process
At the end of your permission to stay in the UK, which is usually either one year or three years, you must apply to extend your stay. The earliest date you can apply for an extension is 28 days before your visa expiry.
This extension application has two main stages. The first is the online submission period, which means you must fill and submit an online application form where you are asked personal and business details such as addresses, company name, incorporation date etc.
The second stage starts with getting a biometrics appointment. After the appointment date is set, you must upload all your supporting evidence to the online system of the Home Office. After you upload and submit all your documents and you attend your biometrics appointment, your application is completed.
Based on the information on the official website of the UK government, the process can take 6 months to be finalized.
The Basic Criteria
You need to present various documents in order to successfully extend your visa. We can categorize these into five main topics as follows:
- ID documents belonging to you and your family (E.g.: BRP cards)
- Documents showing your established company has been trading (E.g.: Invoices)
- Accountancy documents (E.g.: Your tax numbers)
- Financial documents (E.g.: Personal and business bank statements)
- Documents supporting your residency in the UK (E.g.: Council tax payments)
You are expected to prove that you have been actively trading through your own company and living in the United Kingdom.
Your current visa will be extended for either another one year or three years. You can be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) at the end of the 5 years that you have been in the UK. For more detailed information, you can contact us.
Your family can live with you in the UK
Your dependants such as your partner, wife/husband, or children under 18 can still come to the UK with you. However, dependant applications made after 31 Dec 2021 will be evaluated under the “Family Visas” category. Therefore;
- Your partner/wife/husband must prove that they know English at A1 level. They also have to prove their relation to you. (For example, IELTS exam result and marriage certificate)
- You have to prove that your annual family income is at least £18,600. However, if you have children this amount will increase.
- For every person applying as a dependant, the amount to be paid to the British Government as a visa application fee is either £1033 or £1532. The fee changes depending on where the application is made.
- Additionally, you are also expected to pay to the British Government for health services (IHS). This amount has been decided as £624 per person for every year they will be staying in the UK.
Indefinite Leave to Remain
One of the most important rights that this visa grants you is that you can apply for a permanent residence (Indefinite Leave to Remain) when you have completed 5 years as a resident under this visa. You can contact us for conditions and detailed information.