Recent modifications in the application process for ECAA Turkish Businessperson visa extensions and indefinite leave to remain, referred to as the Ankara Agreement, have sparked concern. Following the transfer of the unit overseeing these cases from Sheffield to Liverpool in November 2025, applicants have experienced longer processing times and faced refusals on technical grounds more frequently. Although the official rules remain unchanged, they now appear to be enforced with increased strictness and a higher likelihood of rejection. The focus has shifted to elements like billing practices, bank payment references, ICO registration, website presentation, and administrative lapses in commercial documents. However, the core issue should be whether applicants have genuinely established and are running a sustainable business in the UK.
Tamer Ulay, in his analysis, asserts that the primary concern in Ankara Agreement applications is verifying the genuine establishment and operation of a business. He argues that small businesses may exhibit administrative or technical shortcomings, which should not automatically disqualify them as non-genuine. Files belonging to individuals who have consistently received extensions under the same business model, paid taxes, and supported their families should not be assessed solely from a perspective focused on identifying faults. The article highlights that small businesses may lack perfect invoicing systems, comprehensive websites, or flawless bank statements. While these deficiencies can be examined, automatically considering them as grounds for rejection could yield outcomes misaligned with real-world business practices.
The drawn-out processing times for applications impose significant stress on applicants and their families, affecting business planning, travel, children’s education, family life, and financial decisions. If similar reasons for refusal are observed in multiple cases, it may indicate a broader structural change in practice rather than issues with individual applications. The article clarifies that it does not support fraudulent applications or shell businesses. Instead, it underscores the need to distinguish legitimate business owners from fraudulent or unreliable applicants based solely on technical or administrative issues.
VisaFree World advises applicants under the Ankara Agreement to thoroughly prepare their documents, remain aware of common grounds for refusal, seek professional legal assistance, and approach the process strategically. The article also reminds readers that each application should be assessed on its own merits and that the content does not serve as personalized legal advice. The blog, known for its focus on UK immigration law, the Ankara Agreement, visa refusals, administrative appeals, judicial review processes, and international settlement programs, publishes content in Turkish about immigration, visas, residency, and investment-based settlement in the UK, EU, and beyond.
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