Turkish Businessperson Visa UK

The Turkish Businessperson Visa was once a valuable immigration route for Turkish nationals seeking to establish or join businesses in the United Kingdom under the provisions of the European Community Association Agreement (ECAA), commonly referred to as the Ankara Agreement. This arrangement provided Turkish citizens with favourable immigration rights compared to other non-EEA nationals, particularly in the areas of business entry, residence, and progression to settlement.

However, following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Home Office brought this visa route to an end for new applicants on 31 December 2020, following the close of the Brexit transition period. While no fresh applications are accepted, certain transitional rights remain for those who were already in the UK under this category before the closure. There is currently no published end date for these transitional arrangements, although the Home Office reserves the right to withdraw the route entirely with prior notice.

What this article is about
This article provides an in-depth, legally accurate overview of the Turkish Businessperson Visa as a legacy route. It explains the historical context of the Ankara Agreement and ECAA, outlines who can still benefit from the scheme, details the rules for visa extensions and Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), and explores alternative visa options for Turkish nationals who are now excluded from the scheme. The content is intended for individuals holding, or previously holding, this visa, as well as employers, advisers, and business owners who need to understand the implications of its closure.

Section A: Background & Closure of the Visa Route
 

The Turkish Businessperson Visa was rooted in the European Community Association Agreement (ECAA), more widely known as the Ankara Agreement, signed in 1963 between Turkey and the then-European Economic Community. The agreement aimed to strengthen economic relations and gradually integrate Turkey into the European market. A significant feature of the agreement was the provision granting Turkish nationals certain rights to establish themselves as self-employed individuals within EU member states, including the UK before Brexit.

In UK immigration terms, this translated into a dedicated visa category that allowed Turkish nationals to enter or remain in the UK to start or join a business. The requirements were generally less restrictive than other entrepreneurial visa routes. Applicants were required to show that they had a viable business plan, access to sufficient funds to establish and run the business, and that the proposed activity would generate enough income to support themselves and their dependants without recourse to public funds. Unlike other routes, there was no minimum investment threshold, and the application fees were comparatively low.

Prior to closure, the visa offered a pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after four or five years, depending on individual circumstances. Many Turkish entrepreneurs and their families used this route to secure long-term residence in the UK while contributing to the economy through small and medium-sized enterprises.

The political and legal landscape shifted with the UK’s decision to leave the EU. The UK’s formal exit on 31 January 2020 ended its obligations under the ECAA, but the transitional arrangements in the Withdrawal Agreement allowed continued applications until the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020. The Home Office announced that the Turkish Businessperson Visa would close to new applicants from that date.

Transitional Provisions
 

Despite the closure, the UK Government introduced transitional arrangements for individuals already in the UK under the Turkish Businessperson route or who had submitted valid applications before the deadline. These provisions allowed:

• Extensions of leave under the same visa conditions for qualifying applicants
• Applications for settlement (ILR) by those meeting the relevant criteria
• Continued recognition of the rights of existing dependants, with restrictions on new dependants joining unless they already held valid UK immigration status and could switch in-country

However, the closure marked a clear end to the preferential treatment previously afforded under the Ankara Agreement. Turkish nationals seeking to establish or join a business in the UK after 1 January 2021 are now required to apply under the UK’s domestic immigration rules, such as the Innovator Founder Visa.

Section Summary
The Turkish Businessperson Visa was a product of the Ankara Agreement, offering Turkish nationals a comparatively accessible route to business establishment and settlement in the UK. The UK’s withdrawal from the EU ended the legal basis for this visa, resulting in its closure to new applicants on 31 December 2020. Transitional provisions protect certain rights for those already on the route, but no new entrants are permitted.

Section B: Visa Extensions for Existing Holders
 

Although the Turkish Businessperson Visa closed to new applicants on 31 December 2020, the Home Office introduced provisions allowing certain existing visa holders to extend their leave. These transitional arrangements are designed to preserve the rights of individuals who had already established businesses in the UK under this category, provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

1. Who can still extend under the Turkish Businessperson route
 

You may still apply for an extension if:

• You were granted leave under the Turkish Businessperson category before 31 December 2020.
• You are applying before your current visa expires.
• You continue to meet the business activity requirements set out under the original visa rules.

Dependants who are already in the UK with valid leave as family members of a Turkish Businessperson can also apply to extend their stay in line with the main applicant. New dependants are generally not permitted to join unless they had valid leave in another immigration category and are switching in-country.

2. Extension application requirements and deadlines
 

Applications for extension must be made before the current grant of leave expires. The Home Office expects continuity of business activity, meaning you must still be actively running the business you originally established or joined, or a successor business that meets the same criteria. There is no fixed end date for when extensions will cease to be granted, but the Home Office may review or withdraw the arrangements in future with notice.

3. Business continuity evidence and financial documentation
 

Extension applications must include evidence that:

• The business is still trading and operational.
• You have sufficient funds to continue operating without needing public funds.
• The business generates enough income to support yourself and any dependants.

Typical supporting documents include:

• Business bank statements
• HMRC registration and recent tax returns
• Invoices, contracts, or receipts showing trading activity
• Updated business plan, if relevant

4. Restrictions and changes in Home Office guidance since closure
 

While the overall extension framework remains similar to the pre-closure rules, some Home Office guidance has become stricter in its assessment of business viability. Applicants are now more likely to face detailed scrutiny over the sustainability of their business model and compliance with UK tax and employment laws.

Section Summary
Existing Turkish Businessperson Visa holders can continue to extend their leave if they meet the original criteria, maintain active business operations, and apply before their current visa expires. Applications must be supported by strong evidence of trading and financial stability. Home Office scrutiny has increased since the closure, making robust documentation essential.

Section C: Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the Turkish Businessperson Route
 

For Turkish Businessperson Visa holders who meet the necessary criteria, settlement in the UK through Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) remains possible under the transitional arrangements. ILR grants permanent residence, allowing the holder to live and work in the UK without immigration restrictions and eventually apply for British citizenship.

1. ILR eligibility criteria for legacy route holders
 

You may qualify for ILR under the Turkish Businessperson Visa if:

• You were granted leave under this route before 31 December 2020 and have maintained valid, continuous leave since.
• You have completed the qualifying residence period, typically four or five years, depending on your initial date of entry and any breaks in leave.
• You have met the continuous residence requirements without excessive absences.
• Your business remains active and compliant with UK laws and regulations.

2. Qualifying residence periods and permitted absences
 

Under the pre-closure rules, applicants were generally required to complete five years of lawful residence in the UK before applying for ILR. Some may qualify after four years if they initially applied before certain rule changes in 2018. The Home Office typically allows absences of no more than 180 days in any 12-month period during the qualifying period. Excess absences could break continuous residence unless there are compelling reasons, such as serious illness or other exceptional circumstances.

3. Continuous business activity requirements
 

The ILR application must show that you have been continuously engaged in the same, or a related, business that meets the original visa requirements. Evidence should demonstrate:

• Active trading over the qualifying period
• Financial viability of the business
• Compliance with tax, employment, and regulatory obligations

4. Application process, costs, and supporting evidence
 

Applications are made online through the Home Office portal, selecting the specific ILR option for Turkish Businessperson Visa holders. As of August 2025, the Home Office fee for ILR under this route is £2,885 per applicant, which remains lower than some other ILR routes.

Key supporting documents include:

• Passports and biometric residence permits
• Proof of continuous residence (bank statements, utility bills, tenancy agreements)
• Evidence of ongoing business activity (accounts, contracts, tax filings)
• Life in the UK Test pass certificate and proof of English language ability (unless exempt)

Section Summary
ILR remains available to eligible Turkish Businessperson Visa holders under the transitional arrangements, offering a route to permanent settlement despite the closure of the scheme. Success depends on meeting the qualifying residence period, demonstrating continuous business activity, and providing detailed evidence of compliance with immigration and business regulations.

Section D: Impact of Closure on Business and Immigration Options
 

The closure of the Turkish Businessperson Visa to new applicants has significantly altered the options available to Turkish nationals wishing to establish or join a business in the UK. For those who held the visa before the closure, the immediate impact has been minimal due to transitional rights, but for new entrants, the change represents a major shift in both eligibility and application requirements.

1. Consequences for Turkish entrepreneurs wishing to come to the UK now
 

Turkish nationals who did not secure leave under the Turkish Businessperson Visa before 31 December 2020 can no longer benefit from the preferential terms under the Ankara Agreement. This means they must now apply under the UK’s standard immigration rules for business and work routes, which are generally more restrictive and costly.

2. Alternative visa routes
 

The main options currently available to Turkish entrepreneurs and businesspeople include:

• Innovator Founder Visa – introduced in April 2023, this route is for experienced entrepreneurs establishing an innovative business idea endorsed by an approved body. It requires a strong business plan and an innovative, viable, and scalable model.
• Skilled Worker Visa – for individuals with a job offer from a UK employer licensed to sponsor workers. This route is suitable for those wishing to work in an existing business rather than establish their own.
• Global Business Mobility routes – such as the UK Expansion Worker Visa, for overseas businesses seeking to establish a presence in the UK.

Each of these alternatives has higher application fees, stricter eligibility requirements, and in some cases, minimum investment or salary thresholds that did not apply under the Turkish Businessperson Visa.

3. Business restructuring for those no longer eligible
 

For Turkish nationals unable to enter under the closed route, restructuring business ambitions may be necessary. This could involve:

• Partnering with a UK-based entrepreneur who meets visa requirements
• Seeking employment in an eligible role under the Skilled Worker route
• Operating the business remotely while maintaining compliance with UK corporate and tax laws

4. Compliance risks and considerations for employers of Turkish nationals
 

Employers must ensure they continue to conduct valid right to work checks for all employees, including Turkish nationals with leave under the transitional arrangements. Visa expiry dates must be monitored, and HR teams should be aware of the potential need for employees to switch to a different visa route if extensions are no longer granted in the future.

Section Summary
The closure of the Turkish Businessperson Visa has ended the preferential immigration pathway for new Turkish entrepreneurs. While transitional rights safeguard existing holders, new applicants must now use standard UK immigration routes, which are more demanding in cost and eligibility. Employers and business owners must adapt their strategies accordingly, both for recruitment and business planning.

FAQs
 

Can new applicants still apply for the Turkish Businessperson Visa?
No. The visa closed to new applicants on 31 December 2020. Only individuals who were already in the UK under this route or who had applied before the deadline can continue under the transitional arrangements.

Can dependants still join existing visa holders?
Generally, only dependants who were already in the UK as family members of a Turkish Businessperson before the closure date can extend their leave. In most cases, new dependants cannot join after closure unless they already held valid leave in another immigration category and switch in-country.

What happens if my extension is refused?
If your extension is refused, you may be able to apply for Administrative Review if you believe there has been a casework error. If Administrative Review is not available, Judicial Review may be an option. Alternatively, you could consider switching into a different visa category if eligible. Remaining in the UK without valid leave will lead to unlawful residence and potential removal.

Can I switch from the Turkish Businessperson Visa to another route?
Yes, many holders choose to switch to another immigration category such as the Skilled Worker Visa or Innovator Founder Visa. However, switching will require meeting the eligibility criteria of the new route and may reset the qualifying period for ILR.

Do Ankara Agreement rights still protect me?
The Ankara Agreement no longer applies to the UK after Brexit. Transitional arrangements reflect similar protections for existing visa holders, but these are granted under UK domestic law and can be changed by the UK Government in the future.

Conclusion
 

The Turkish Businessperson Visa, once a unique and accessible route for Turkish nationals to establish or join a business in the UK, is now firmly part of the UK’s immigration history. Its closure on 31 December 2020 ended decades of preferential treatment under the Ankara Agreement, reflecting the broader policy changes brought about by Brexit.

For existing visa holders, the transitional arrangements offer a valuable opportunity to continue extending their stay and, where eligible, progress to Indefinite Leave to Remain. However, these rights are not open-ended, and applicants must continue to meet the business and residence requirements with well-documented evidence.

For Turkish nationals who did not secure leave under the route before its closure, the focus must now turn to alternative immigration options. These are typically more complex, expensive, and restrictive than the Turkish Businessperson Visa, making early strategic planning and legal advice more important than ever.

Ultimately, while the door has closed for new applicants, those already inside still have a clear—if carefully regulated—path to long-term settlement, provided they maintain compliance with both immigration and business obligations.

Glossary
 

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Gill Laing

Gill Laing is a qualified Legal Researcher & Analyst with niche specialisms in Law, Tax, Human Resources, Immigration & Employment Law. Gill is a Multiple Business Owner and the Managing Director of Prof Services - a Marketing & Content Agency for the Professional Services Sector.

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