A recent analysis has raised alarms regarding the process for extending the ECAA Turkish Businessperson visa and obtaining indefinite leave to remain under the Ankara Agreement. The report highlights that since the unit responsible for these cases was moved from Sheffield to Liverpool in November 2025, applicants have faced increased waiting times and stricter grounds for refusal. While the official regulations remain unchanged, the application of these rules appears more stringent, leading to a higher tendency towards rejection. The focus has shifted to technical aspects such as billing procedures, bank payment references, ICO registration, and website appearance, rather than the core issue of whether the applicant has genuinely established and sustained a business.
Tamer Ulay, who authored the assessment, points out that under the Ankara Agreement, the primary concern should be whether the applicant has established and is running a viable business. Ulay argues that minor administrative or technical errors should not automatically disqualify an applicant, especially when they have a history of business extensions, tax payments, and supporting their families through the business. The article suggests that while these deficiencies should be considered, they should not serve as automatic grounds for refusal, as such an approach doesn’t align with the realities of running a small business.
The delay in application processing is another significant concern, as it affects the personal and professional lives of applicants. Long waiting times impact business planning, travel arrangements, children’s education, family dynamics, and financial decisions. The article suggests that if these grounds for refusal become common across multiple cases, it could indicate a possible shift in the structural approach to handling these applications, rather than isolated issues with individual cases.
Importantly, the article clarifies that it does not support fraudulent applications or shell companies but stresses that legitimate business owners should not be unfairly penalized due to technical or administrative issues. VisaFree World advises applicants under the Ankara Agreement to meticulously prepare their documents, understand common grounds for refusal, and seek legal advice when necessary. Each application should be assessed based on its unique circumstances, and the content shared is informational rather than legal counsel.
VisaFree World, an information platform, provides content primarily in Turkish, focusing on immigration, visas, residency, citizenship, and investment-based settlement in the UK, EU, and other regions. Their coverage includes UK immigration law and processes related to the Ankara Agreement, visa refusals, and legal appeals. The platform emphasizes that the information provided comes from third-party sources, and they do not verify the accuracy or legality of the submitted content, urging contributors to comply with intellectual property laws.