Turkish nationals
Turkish nationals who are already working legally in the UK
This section explains how Turkish nationals may benefit from the European Community Association Agreement (ECAA) with Turkey if they are already working legally in the UK and want to extend their stay.
If you are a Turkish national who is legally employed in the UK because you have a visa that gives you permission to work, a decision by the Association Council of the ECAA has given you certain rights. You may:
- apply for further permission to stay in the UK after you have worked here for 1 year, so that you can continue to work for the same employer (if a job is available);
- change employers after you have been working here for 3 years, if you are continuing to work in the same occupation; and
- work in any type of job for any employer after you have been working here for 4 years.
The Documents required page lists the evidence that you should send to support your application. The Applying page explains how to apply.
If your application is successful, we will give you permission to stay as a Turkish ECAA employed person.
If your family members are currently living with you in the UK, they may be able to extend their stay under the ECAA. See the Dependants of Turkish ECAA nationals page for details.
You will not be able to apply for permission to settle here permanently (known as 'indefinite leave to remain').
You cannot benefit from the ECAA if you have breached UK immigration law in order to be able to work. If this is the case, you will need to meet the requirements of the current immigration rules - this means that you will need to apply for permission to stay and work here under Tier 2 of the points-based system.
This section offers a brief guide to the rules. For more information, you should read the full casework instruction in Chapter 5, Section 10 of the Immigration directorate instructions.