New visa route for Turkish businesspersons
07 September 2009
The UK Border Agency has introduced a visa route for Turkish nationals applying to establish in business under the European Community Association Agreement (ECAA).
The route, which was opened today, will enable Turkish nationals who are outside the United Kingdom to enter the country in the Turkish ECAA business category. Previously, this category was open only to Turkish nationals who were already in the United Kingdom.
The route has been introduced in response to the findings of the European Court of Justice in the case of Tum & Dari (C-16/05). Further information on the scheme is also available on our visa services website and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's UK in Turkey website.
From April 2010, some Turkish nationals who are already in the United Kingdom will not be allowed to switch into the Turkish ECAA business category. Only visitors, those already present with permission to run a business and other exceptional cases will be able to switch. (UPDATE - March 2010: This restriction will not be imposed. All Turkish nationals will still be allowed to switch, provided that they are eligible under the European Community Association Agreement (ECAA) with Turkey.)
Changes to our policy introduced on 1 June 2009 remain in force. A summary of these changes is available in our Summary of revised Turkish ECAA guidance (PDF 32K opens in new window). You will be affected by these changes if you made an application under the terms of the ECAA on or after 1 June 2009.
For more information about the ECAA and the rights of Turkish citizens who are already lawfully in the United Kingdom, see the Citizens of Turkey section.