The increasing number of Turkish nationals travelling to the United Kingdom has expanded opportunities for those who wish to visit and work here. The British government has been working hard to make this process as easy as possible for Turkish nationals wishing to live, study or work in the UK.
Applications for the Turkish Businessperson visa are temporarily on hold, but current visa holders are eligible to seek extensions. Individuals under 21 can still apply as ‘child dependants’ to accompany visa holders in the UK.
The Turkish Businessperson visa is for Turkish nationals 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 existing business.
A Turkish business visa is a breakaway visa that allows Turkish nationals to work and live in the UK on a less stringent basis than a full-time working visa would. Although full-time work is not a prerequisite for a Turkish visa, it is very common for this to be the case.
A Turkish businessperson visa allows Turkish citizens to stay in the UK for up to one year. They will be able to work or create a business in the UK, but will not be able to access certain benefits such as healthcare or education. They will also have to comply with certain rules, such as having a valid passport and having no criminal record.
You must prove to UK Visas and Immigration that you are a citizen of Turkey. You must tick all the UK right to work checklists. Also, you meet the requirements stated below in order to be eligible for a valid Turkish Businessperson visa under the Turkish European Community Association Agreement (ECAA, often known as the “Ankara Agreement”).
The method by which you apply for a Turkish business visa in the UK will depend on your individual circumstances. If you meet the requirements above and are a Turkish national, you can either choose to apply online or download the application form and submit it by post. You can also apply in person at the UK embassy or high commission in your city.
If you are applying for a business or employment visa, you can apply online and print the application form, which is required for both in and out-of-country use. You can also submit a scan of your passport or a scan of your passport pages (excluding the middle section) and a scan of your visa or a scan of your passport pages and a stamp showing the latest date of issue.
Originally, you will need to pre-pay the fee for your visa. However, applying for a Turkish Businessperson visa does not require you to pay for an application fee.
Yes, you can apply for a Turkish business visa without a licence in the United Kingdom. However, this is only recommended if you are self-employed, don’t work for a company with a legal structure and are not involved in any commercial ventures.
The business visa is not a license to work in the UK, but it does allow you to apply for a UK work permit. This allows you to work in the UK without obtaining a license. You must, however, provide evidence of your ability to perform the job in question.
A Turkish Businessperson Visa has a validity of 12 months. As such, anyone with this Visa cannot stay beyond a year in the United kingdom. If you are unable to finish your business during this period, you will be required to renew your Visa before the expiration date. You are eligible to request for a Visa extension of 3 years after the initial validity.
To extend your Visa, you will be subjected to some checks. The issuing department must ensure that your business is still running in the UK. This means that you must be able to present information on your business operations.
If it is a joint business, you must prove that you are able to provide your part of the cost of running the business. In some cases, your partners’ ability to provide their own expenses of running the business might be subjected to check also. However, it only applies if your partner is not a citizen of the UK. Likewise, you must be able to prove that the profit from the business is capable of sponsoring you and your dependents in the course of your stay in the UK.
If you already have authorisation to stay in the UK as a Turkish Businessperson, you can apply to extend your visa. Additionally, you must be able to prove that your established business is still operating and that you’re not under disguised employment. You can also choose to start a new business. Your visa can be extended for up to three years.
If you continue to meet the eligibility requirements, you may apply to extend your visa as often as you’d like. After five years, You would be able to submit an ILR application for “indefinite leave to remain” in the UK. You will then have the freedom to stay in the country as long as you wish. You can work, study, and if you qualify, apply for state benefits.
You must apply online before the expiration of your current visa. Application for your visa extension is free. If they qualify, your partner and kids can request permission to extend their stay in the UK as your “dependants.” They must possess a valid dependant visa in order to do this. Children who turned 21 while you were there as well as your partner and children will need to apply separately.
If you hold a Turkish Worker visa, you can apply for your children or your partner’s children to come to the UK. They must apply for a valid visa as your dependants. If they are granted, their visa will expire on the same day as yours.
Until you receive a decision, you are not permitted to leave the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man. If you do, your application will be withdrawn.
Usually, it takes 6 months from the date of your application to receive a decision.
Your application might require more time before approval if your supporting documents must be examined,or you need to appear for an interview. If you have a criminal conviction, that could be another factor in the delay of your application approval. So do your best to avoid the situations above if you want your application approved on time.
If your application is approved, you’ll receive detailed instructions of permitted and prohibited activities with a Turkish Businessperson visa.
Applicants have the option to include their spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, as well as children under 21, as dependants when applying. You must demonstrate that you can financially support your dependants without the need for additional employment, as working is not allowed.
All dependant applications must be done online where you will receive an application number (Global Web Form or Unique Application Number). The dependants will need to provide their biometric data for a biometric residence permit.
They will receive their decision within 6 months. You as the main visa holder are able to extend your dependants visas when you opt to extend yours, or they can apply for extension separately.
Like any other UK business visa, the Turkish Businessperson visa isn’t easy to obtain due to the vast requirements and processes. At WMYV, our goal is to simplify the process by handling all technicalities while you relax and get updates from us.
We can determine if you are eligible, advise on the best documents to present, complete a high-quality application for you, and liaise with the Home Office on your behalf.
Call us if you need some help or expert advice applying for your Turkish businessperson visa. You can reach out to us in person, over the phone, or online for assistance.
Reach out to us for more information or to see how we can help you?
The Turkish Businessperson visa is for Turkish nationals 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 existing business.
Yes, you can apply for a Turkish business visa without a licence in the United Kingdom. However, this is only recommended if you are self-employed, don’t work for a company with a legal structure and are not involved in any commercial ventures.
We Manage Your Visas is a trading name of Legal Eagles Solicitors. Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA No. 635426.
©2023. We Manage Your Visas. All Rights Reserved.