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:
- Pass the language and life tests
- No criminal record
- Spend no more than 450 days outside the UK in the past 5 years；
- 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
