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ECAA Extension Visa

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Update

The closure of new applications for the Turkish Businessperson Visa under the ECAA Ankara Agreement took effect on 1st December 2020.

This was part of a broader set of changes to the immigration routes available to Turkish nationals following the UK’s departure from the European Union. Since that date, no new applications for the Turkish Businessperson Visa have been accepted.

However, individuals who already hold a Turkish Businessperson Visa can still apply for an extension, and child dependants under the age of 21 can still apply to join a parent in the UK under the same visa category.

The official page outlining this change indicated that as of December 2020, only existing visa holders could apply for extensions, while new applicants were no longer able to apply. Additionally, the Home Office provided information that updates would be made to the page to reflect these changes.

To clarify:

New applications for the Turkish Businessperson Visa closed on 1st December 2020.

Extensions for existing Turkish Businessperson visa holders continue to be available.

Children under 21 of Turkish Businessperson visa holders can still apply to join their parent in the UK.

These changes were part of the UK government’s implementation of new immigration policies post-Brexit and specifically relate to the ECAA Ankara Agreement route for Turkish nationals.

ECAA Turkish Business Person Extension Visa Application

The Turkish Businessperson Visa (ECAA) is for Turkish nationals who are over the age of 18 who either want to start a new business in the UK or come to the UK to help run an established business.

The UK withdrew from the Ankara Agreement after Brexit, which closed off the ECAA visa to new applications. However, the UK did provide a tailored category of settlement for this group of Turkish nationals from 6 July 2018 in Appendix ECAA.

Applicants who have already been granted an ECAA visa can apply for an ECAA extension. The requirements to be granted an extension of up to 3 years per a ECAA visa is as follows:

  • You must hold a ECAA Visa that has not yet expired
  • You must have not breached any immigration laws during your stay in the UK
  • You must continue to be running or helping to run a viable business
  • You must contribute to your share of the running costs of the business•You must be able to show that you can support yourself and your dependants in the UK from your business
  • You must not be in disguised employment

ECAA document checklist

To ensure that your ECAA extension is granted, you will need to provide the following documents to prove to the Home Office that you meet the requirements:

  • Valid passport
  • Evidence you can support yourself and any dependents
  • Evidence of your living costs
  • Your current ECAA Visa
  • Evidence that you are running or helping to run a business

Applying for Indefinite leave to remain under the ECAA Visa

A person who holds a valid ECAA Visa can apply for indefinite leave to remain if they are eligible. In order to be eligible the ECAA Visa holder must:

  • You must have a valid entry clearance, leave to enter or leave to remain under the ECCA
  • You must continue to manage or operate your business in the UK
  • You must have spent 5 years lawfully in the UK
  • You must meet language and life in the UK requirements
  • You do not fall for refusal under the General Grounds for Refusal
  • You have the ability to financially support any family members with them without recourse to public funds

Applying for an ECAA Extension Visa?

If you are looking to apply for an ECAA Extension Visa in the UK, our experienced immigration solicitors are here to help. Please fill in the form below, and a member of our team will contact you shortly to guide you through the process.

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