Turkey Passport: Unique UK Access under the Ankara Agreement

Establishment

In 1973, the UK entered into the European Community Association Agreement with Turkey (ECAA, also known as the Ankara Agreement), which allowed Turkish nationals to attain UK residency rights after owning and operating a business in the UK for 4 years.

On July 6, 2018, the UK amended the immigration law and changed the original 4 years to 5 years, also permitting Turkish citizens to work and do business in the UK. After 5 years, this citizen, his/her partner and children under 21 become eligible for permanent residency and, after one year as a permanent resident, may apply for UK citizenship. This is the fastest, easiest and most costeffective path to UK citizenship today

Investment Process

Step 1: Business Visa

Apply for a 1-year U.K  Business Visa and start a business in the U.K.

Step 2: Visa Extension

Apply for Visa extensions after successful operation of business

Step 3: Permanent Residency

Apply for permanent residency after 5 years

Requirements: Pass language and life tests, no longer required to run a business, free to work anywhere

Step 4: Citizenship

Apply for citizenship after 1 year of permanent residence

Requirements: To apply for British citizenship, the applicant needs to:

1.  Pass the language and life tests
2. No criminal record
3. Spend no more than 450 days outside the UK in the past 5 years；
4. Spend no more than 90 days outside the UK in the past 1 year before the application

Source: ECAA business guidance and ECAA Turkish employed application published on UK gov