European Community Association Agreement (ECAA) Turkish Nationals
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Under the European Community Association Agreement (ECAA), Turkish citizens can apply to enter or stay in the United Kingdom to establish themselves in business. The above ECAA Agreement with Turkey, which is also known as the Ankara Agreement was signed on 12 September 1963.
Therefore, the impact of the Ankara Agreement is that Turkish nationals seeking leave to enter or remain in the UK as business person will have to get their applications considered under domestic rules. The clause is therefore no less favourable to them than those in force when the UK joined the EU on 1 January 1973. The entry rules are similar to the time they were HC509 and the after entry rules were HC510.
Establishing Business Under the ECAA Turkish Nationals Visa
Applicants, who are genuinely interested to establish a viable business, may be granted leave to remain (or Entry Clearance) for 12 months from date of decision. After the 12 month ‘trial’ period for the business, if it succeeds the applicant can apply for further leave to remain in the UK which may be considered under the After Entry Business Provisions in order to continue with their business. Generally an “appropriate extension of stay” for a period of 3 years is granted but this is not the end. After completing 4 years leave to remain under a Turkish ECAA self-employed visa, applicants may apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK. thereafter, applicants can then apply for naturalisation as a British citizen after a further 12 months.
Family Members of Turkish ECAA Persons
Family members of Turkish ECAA Self Employed persons in the UK can apply to join their spouse, civil partner, unmarried or same sex partner or parent (if the applicant is a child under the age of 18 at the time of the application). They can also apply for settlement in the UK.
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