Turkish nationals
Can you apply?
This page explains whether, if you are a Turkish national, you can apply to come to the UK and establish yourself in business under the European Community Association Agreement (ECAA) with Turkey.
Initial applications
You can apply for a visa as a Turkish ECAA businessperson from outside the UK, or you can apply to 'switch' into this category if you are already here in a different immigration category.
You must show that:
- you have the skills and ability to establish in your proposed business;
- you will be bringing sufficient funds to establish your business;
- you will be able to bear your share of the costs of running the business (its liabilities); and
- your share of the profits will be enough to support you and any dependants you have without you needing to find other employment for which a work permit would normally be required.
If you want to join an existing partnership or company, you must also:
- show that you will have an active part in running the business;
- show that there is a genuine need for your services and investment; and
- provide previous years' accounts for the business.
For information about the evidence that you should send to support your application, see the Documents required page.
If you meet these requirements, we wil give you permission to come to or remain in the UK as a Turkish ECAA businessperson for 12 months.
However, if you are basing your application on a UK business that you have already established while present in the UK in breach of UK immigration law, you cannot benefit from the ECAA. Instead, you will need to apply as an Entrepreneur under Tier 1 of the points-based system in order to come to the UK as a businessperson.
Extending your stay
If you want to extend your stay as a Turkish ECAA businessperson, and you currently have permission to stay here in this category, you must show that:
- you are still established in business;
- you are still able to bear your share of the costs of running the business (its liabilities); and
- your share of the profits will be enough to support you and any dependants you have without you needing to find other employment for which a work permit would normally be required.
If you meet these requirements, you will normally be given permission to stay (which we call 'further leave to remain') for another 3 years, but you will not be allowed to work except as a Turkish ECAA businessperson.
If you meet most of the requirements but cannot produce all the evidence you need (such as tax returns for the whole year), you may be allowed to stay for 1 more year. At the end of that year, you may apply again.