Recent modifications in the application process for ECAA Turkish Businessperson visa extensions and indefinite leave to remain, under the Ankara Agreement, have sparked concerns, according to a new assessment. The relocation of the unit responsible for these cases from Sheffield to Liverpool in November 2025 has reportedly led to longer waiting periods and an increased number of rejections based on technical grounds. Although the official rules remain unchanged, the application is perceived to be stricter and more inclined toward refusal. Key issues in the process now include billing procedures, bank payment references, ICO registration, website appearance, and administrative deficiencies in commercial documentation. These elements, the article argues, should not overshadow the fundamental criteria of whether an applicant has genuinely established and is actively running a sustainable business.
The assessment highlights that small businesses may not always present flawless invoicing systems or perfect websites and bank statements. Such deficiencies, while important, shouldn’t automatically result in rejection. The article stresses that the focus should be on the authenticity and sustainability of the business rather than on minor administrative or technical errors. According to Tamer Ulay, who evaluated the issue, the core concern of Ankara Agreement applications should be proving the establishment and active operation of a business. He argues that businesses, which have been consistently extended, paid taxes, supported families, and demonstrated ongoing commercial activity, should not be judged primarily on their administrative shortcomings.
The lengthy processing times for these applications are also a significant issue, as they place undue pressure on applicants and their families. Waiting for months can adversely affect business planning, travel, education, family life, and financial decisions. The assessment raises the possibility that if similar grounds for refusal become widespread, it might indicate a broader structural change in practice rather than isolated incidents.
While not advocating for the protection of fraudulent applications or shell businesses, the article insists that legitimate business owners should not be lumped together with fraudulent applicants due to minor technical shortcomings. Instead, it advises applicants under the Ankara Agreement to meticulously prepare their documents, be aware of common grounds for refusal, seek professional legal support, and strategically approach the application process when necessary.
VisaFree World, an information platform, offers insights into UK immigration law, the Ankara Agreement, and other international settlement programs. It emphasizes that each visa application should be evaluated based on its unique circumstances and reminds readers that the content should not be taken as personal legal advice.