Turkish citizens
This section explains how Turkish citizens can apply to enter or stay in the United Kingdom if they want to establish themselves in business, and the residency rights of Turkish workers who are already here.
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.
If you want to establish yourself in business here
Under the European Community Association Agreement (ECAA) with Turkey, you have certain rights if:
- you are a Turkish citizen; and
- you want to apply to establish yourself in business in the United Kingdom.
If you meet these requirements, you can apply to enter the United Kingdom in the Turkish ECAA business category, or to switch into this category if you are already here legally in a different category. We will consider your application under the business provisions that were in place in 1973.
To find out how you can apply to become a Turkish ECAA businessperson, and how to extend your stay or settle in the United Kingdom in this category, see the Establishing yourself in business section.
If you are already working here legally
A decision by the Association Council of the ECAA gives certain rights to Turkish citizens who are already working legally in the United Kingdom. For more information, see the Turkish citizens with permission to work in the United Kingdom section.