Self Employed Ankara Agreement Visas


Recent developments at the European Court of Justice related to the case of Tum and Dari v Secretary of State has changed the way in which applications from Turkish nationals are considered under the Ankara Agreement.

This decision makes it possible for a Turkish applicant to make an application to establish a business in the UK under the provisions of the Ankara Agreement regardless of whether they are inside or outside of the UK. Applications to establish a business under the provisions of the Ankara Agreement must be considered according to the immigration rules as they existed in 1973. The 1973 rules make it easier to qualify to enter the UK to establish a business than the current immigration rules.

Applicants who wish to enter or remain in the UK as self-employed persons under the provisions of the Ankara Agreement must:

  • have a genuine intention to establish a business in the UK;

  • provide a detailed breakdown of set-up costs of the intended business in the UK; and

  • possess sufficient funds to establish and run the business.


Please be aware that you can be refused a visa under the Agreement if the immigration authorities feel that granting you a successful application could lead to public security or health risks.

Turkish Nationals Applying Inside the UK

You must be a Turkish national in the UK when submitting your application and whilst your application is pending consideration, you cannot commence trading. Individuals who overstay their visas are entitled to apply under the provisions of the Ankara Agreement.

Ankara Agreement Visas

Once you have been issued a visa or a grant of leave to remain you can reside in the UK for 12 months. At the end of your first 12 months you may apply for your visa to be extended. The maximum period this visa can be extended is 3 years. In order to successfully apply for an extension you must adhere to the conditions of your visa.

Indefinite Leave to Remain

After a total of 4 years in the UK you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or permanent residency. Turkish nationals will have their applications for indefinite leave to remain considered under the 1973 immigration rules if they have spent 4 years lawfully in the UK in a business visa category.

Dependants of those seeking indefinite leave to remain are also entitled to have their applications considered according to the 1973 rules, but main applicants will need to show that the business will generate sufficient funds to support both themselves and their dependants without having to take on additional employment.

After spending 1 year in the UK with indefinite leave to remain you may be eligible to apply for naturalisation as a British citizen.

Family Issues

You may apply for your spouse/civil partner and children to accompany you as your dependants under the 1973 immigration rules.

While in the UK as your dependants, your spouse/civil partner is entitled to take up any lawful employment. Children are entitled to the same free education as British children, although you may choose to send your children to a private school if you wish. You and your family are eligible to free health care provided by the National Health Service.






Back to top