Turkish Businessperson Visa (ECAA): Extensions, Settlement and Alternatives
The ECAA route closed to new applicants on 31 December 2020. This page is for existing ECAA holders seeking extensions or ILR, and Turkish nationals looking for alternative UK business routes.
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What Is the Turkish Businessperson Visa?
The Turkish Businessperson Visa, formally known as the ECAA (European Community Association Agreement) or Ankara Agreement businessperson route, closed to new applicants on 31 December 2020 when the UK's Brexit transition period ended.
Turkish nationals who did not already hold leave in the UK under the ECAA before that date cannot apply for this route. The Home Office no longer accepts new ECAA Businessperson applications.
This page is for two groups:
- Existing ECAA holders — Turkish nationals currently in the UK on ECAA leave who need to extend their permission or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
- Turkish nationals without ECAA leave — those who want to start or run a UK business and need to understand the current alternative routes available to them.
Read the official GOV.UK guidance on Turkish ECAA businesses for full details on this route.
Extending Your ECAA Businessperson Leave
If you currently hold leave in the UK as an ECAA Businessperson, you can still apply to extend that leave under Appendix ECAA Extension of Stay. Extensions are typically granted for up to 36 months at a time.
Each extension is a fresh assessment. The Home Office will assess whether you continue to operate a genuine, active, and viable business in the UK at the time of the application. You must apply before your current leave expires.
Requirements for an ECAA Extension
- Hold current valid permission as an ECAA Businessperson
- Be running a genuine, active, and viable business in the UK
- Be genuinely self-employed — not employed as a worker by a UK employer
- Demonstrate that the business generates sufficient income to support yourself and any dependants
- Apply before your current leave expires — overstaying breaks the continuity required for settlement
You may close your current business and start a new one without this automatically affecting your ECAA status, provided the new business is genuine and self-employed in nature. The Home Office will assess the new business at the time of the next extension application. You cannot, however, take on employment as a worker while on ECAA leave.
ECAA Settlement: Indefinite Leave to Remain
After five continuous years of lawful residence in the UK under the ECAA Businessperson category, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain under Appendix ECAA Settlement.
The ILR application requires:
- Continued operation of a genuine, active, and viable business in the UK
- Passing the Life in the UK Test
- English language evidence (unless exempt)
- Meeting suitability requirements (no serious criminality or adverse immigration history)
Following ILR, British citizenship by naturalisation is available after 12 months.
Note on earned settlement: The UK government's November 2025 proposals include extending most ILR qualifying periods from five to ten years. The final position on whether existing ECAA holders' five-year pathway will be protected had not been confirmed as of April 2026. Work Permit Cloud will update clients as soon as confirmed changes are published.
If You Do Not Have ECAA Leave: Current Alternatives for Turkish Nationals
If you are a Turkish national who does not hold ECAA leave from before 31 December 2020, the Turkish Businessperson Visa route is not available to you. However, two current UK routes may be appropriate depending on your situation:
Innovator Founder Visa
The Innovator Founder Visa is the UK's primary route for business migrants with an original business idea. There is no fixed investment requirement. You must obtain endorsement from a Home Office-approved endorsing body and demonstrate that your business plan is innovative, commercially viable, and scalable. ILR is available after three years. This is the most appropriate route for Turkish nationals with a new, innovative venture.
Self-Sponsorship via the Skilled Worker Route
If you already have, or will establish, a genuine UK company, self-sponsorship via the Skilled Worker Visa route may be an option. Your company obtains a Sponsor Licence and assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship to you in a senior role at RQF Level 6 or above, paying at least £41,700. ILR is available after five years. This is the more suitable route if you are running a more established or operational business rather than a start-up.
Work Permit Cloud can assess which of these routes is most suitable for your specific circumstances.
How Work Permit Cloud Can Help With Your ECAA or Business Visa Needs
Whether you are an existing ECAA holder managing your extensions and planning for ILR, or a Turkish national exploring alternative routes, Work Permit Cloud can help:
- Reviewing your ECAA leave history and advising on extension eligibility
- Preparing your Appendix ECAA extension application and gathering financial evidence
- Planning your five-year ILR application under Appendix ECAA Settlement
- Advising Turkish nationals without ECAA leave on the Innovator Founder Visa or self-sponsorship route options
- Supporting the full application process for whichever alternative route you proceed with
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MD Abdul Khalik Shahib
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FAQ
Common questions
Is the Turkish Businessperson Visa still open to new applicants?
No. The Turkish Businessperson Visa (based on the Ankara Agreement / European Community Association Agreement) closed to new applicants on 31 December 2020 when the UK's Brexit transition period ended. Turkish nationals who did not already hold ECAA leave before that date cannot use this route. If you are a Turkish national looking to start or run a business in the UK, see the alternatives below.
I currently hold ECAA leave — can I still extend my visa?
Yes. Turkish nationals who were granted leave under the ECAA before 31 December 2020 can still apply to extend under Appendix ECAA Extension of Stay. Extensions are typically for up to 36 months at a time and require you to demonstrate that you continue to operate a genuine, active, and viable business in the UK. Each extension is a fresh assessment.
What are the requirements to extend ECAA leave?
To qualify for an extension under Appendix ECAA, you must: (1) hold current valid permission as an ECAA Businessperson; (2) be running a genuine, active, and viable UK business; (3) be genuinely self-employed, not employed as a worker; (4) show the business generates sufficient income to support yourself and dependants; and (5) apply before your current leave expires.
Does the Turkish Businessperson Visa lead to ILR?
Yes. After five continuous years of lawful residence under the ECAA Businessperson category, you can apply for ILR under Appendix ECAA Settlement. The application requires continued operation of a genuine business, the Life in the UK Test, English language evidence, and meeting suitability requirements. Following ILR, British citizenship is available after 12 months.
Can I close my existing business and start a new one on ECAA leave?
Existing ECAA holders can close their current business and start a new UK business without this automatically affecting their immigration status, provided the new business is genuine, viable, and self-employed in nature. The Home Office will assess the new business at the time of the next extension application. You cannot take on employment as a worker — ECAA leave is specifically for self-employed businesspersons.
I am a Turkish national but I don't have ECAA leave — what are my options for a UK business?
If you do not hold ECAA leave from before 31 December 2020, the Turkish Businessperson Visa is not available to you. Two current routes may be appropriate. The Innovator Founder Visa is available if you have a genuinely innovative, viable, and scalable business idea and can obtain endorsement from a Home Office-approved endorsing body. Alternatively, self-sponsorship via the Skilled Worker route is available if you will establish a genuine UK company and occupy a senior, degree-level role paying at least £41,700.
What are the possible changes to ECAA settlement under the earned settlement proposals?
The UK government's November 2025 "earned settlement" consultation proposed extending most ILR qualifying periods from five to ten years. The final position on whether existing ECAA holders' five-year pathway will be protected was not confirmed as of April 2026. Some ECAA holders have written to Parliament seeking protection of the existing pathway. Work Permit Cloud will advise clients of confirmed changes as soon as the final rules are published.
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