Coming to the United Kingdom in the Turkish ECAA business category
This page explains how, if you are a Turkish citizen, you can apply to come to the United Kingdom and establish yourself in business under the European Community Association Agreement (ECAA) with Turkey.
New visa route for Turkish businesspersons
The UK Border Agency has introduced a visa route for Turkish nationals applying to establish in business under the European Community Association Agreement.To qualify for a visa as a Turkish ECAA businessperson, 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.
If you meet these requirements, you will be given permission to come to the United Kingdom as a Turkish ECAA businessperson for 12 months.
However, if you are basing your application on a United Kingdom business that you have already established while present in the United Kingdom in breach of United Kingdom immigration law, you will not be allowed to 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 United Kingdom as a businessperson.
Our visa services website contains information about coming to the United Kingdom as a Turkish ECAA businessperson.