Turkish Businessperson – Extension Application Process
The ECAA Turkish Businessperson visa, commonly known as the ‘Ankara Agreement,’ enabled Turkish citizens to establish their own businesses, work, and live within the United Kingdom. As of 31 December 2020, this visa type was abolished following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union. However, Turkish citizens who currently hold an ECAA visa may continue to apply for extensions.
If you are looking for ways to obtain a visa to start your own business in the United Kingdom, you can visit the ‘Innovator Founder’ page.
Turkish Businessperson – Extension Application Process
At the end of your initial one-year stay, followed by one or three years, you will need to apply for an extension in order to maintain your visa status in the United Kingdom. You can submit your application as early as 28 days before your visa expires.
Your extension application consists of two stages. The first stage is the ‘online submission,’ which is the submission of the application form filled out online to the Home Office. The application form asks for details such as your company name, identity information, addresses, etc.
The second stage begins with the fingerprint/biometric appointment process for your extension application. Once you have scheduled your fingerprint appointment, you must upload all the documents you will submit to the Home Office’s document upload system online. After uploading the documents and attending your fingerprint appointment, your application will be considered complete.
According to the information provided on the government’s official website, the evaluation period for extension applications may take up to 6 months.
Terms and Conditions
There are various documents you need to submit with your application in order to successfully extend your visa. You will be expected to prove that you are actively running your company, conducting business and residing in the United Kingdom with the documents you submit.
As a result of the assessment, your visa will be extended for one or three years. At the end of your five years in the United Kingdom, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) if you meet the specified criteria. Please contact our team for more information.
Your family can live with you in the United Kingdom.
Applications for dependent visas submitted after 31 December 2021 will be assessed under the ‘Family Visas’ category. For this reason;
- Your spouse must prove that they have A1 level English and their relationship with you with documents (e.g. IELTS test results and marriage certificate).
- You must prove that your family’s total annual income is £29,000, but this amount increases if you have children.
- The application fee payable to the government for each dependent application is £1033 if made from within the United Kingdom and £1523 if made from outside the United Kingdom.
- In addition, you will be expected to pay the government for healthcare services. This fee is set at £624 per person per year.
Indefinite Leave to Remain
One of the most important rights granted by this visa is that you can apply for indefinite leave to remain after completing five years of living and working in the United Kingdom under this visa. Please contact us for conditions and detailed information.
For detailed information about the Turkish Business Visa (Ankara Agreement), please contact us.