The Turkish Worker Visa in the UK is connected to the European Community Association Agreement (ECAA), also known as the Ankara Agreement, which was in place until the UK’s departure from the EU. Under this agreement, Turkish nationals could apply to establish themselves as workers or self-employed in the UK.

Turkish Worker Visa (Pre-Brexit)
Before Brexit, Turkish nationals could benefit from the ECAA to live and work in the UK under special conditions, distinct from other non-EU nationals. After the UK’s departure from the EU, this agreement ended, but transitional arrangements were made to honour existing rights for Turkish nationals already in the UK.

Turkish Worker Visa Extension (Post-Brexit)
If you were already in the UK on a Turkish Worker Visa (based on the ECAA) before 1 January 2021, you may still be eligible to extend your stay in the UK. The UK government has provided a pathway for those who were covered by the ECAA agreements prior to the Brexit transition.

Eligibility for Extension:
To extend a Turkish Worker Visa, you need to meet certain conditions:

• have a valid Turkish Worker visa
• show you have not broken any immigration laws

Application Process:
To apply for an extension, you need to:

• Apply online via the UK Home Office.
• Pay the applicable visa fees.
• Provide supporting documents, such as proof of continuous employment, identity documents, and any other relevant information requested by the Home Office.

Important Notes:

• This visa route is closed to new applicants since the UK has left the EU. However, extensions are still available for those who are already on this visa.
• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): After living and working in the UK for 5 years on this visa, you may be eligible to apply for ILR (settled status).

Please contact our UK immigration lawyer for immediate assistance by sending an email to us at contact@aaraflaw.co.uk and one of our UK immigration lawyer shall call you back. Alternatively, you can call us on 0203 442 0292 .