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The Turkish Businessperson Visa – Secure New Commercial Opportunities in the UK

London, Turkish business person visa commercial opportunities

The Turkish Businessperson Visa stems from the European Community Association Agreement between Turkey and the EU, otherwise known as the Ankara agreement which was administered under the 1973 Immigration Rules. It is a unique UK visa option only available to Turkish citizens who are interested in entering the UK to set up a new business or help run an established business. If you are able to invest a fixed amount of money based on a legitimate business proposal, this visa option could be your key to unlocking exciting commercial opportunities in the UK. 

As there is no limit on capital for starting a business and no general language requirement, this visa option is the most appropriate and least complex with regards to compliance. Provided an individual is able to communicate in English at a level convenient to operate a business in the UK, the applicant may be granted an initial visa period of 12 months. Thereafter, it is possible to obtain a British passport after 6 years of presence in the UK by applying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after 5 years of lawfully staying in the UK and subsequently applying for a British passport after a further year. 

In addition to gaining the right to enter the UK, the Turkish Businessperson Visa allows holders to establish and run their own business, to undertake voluntary work, to study and to bring their spouse or unmarried partner as well as their children under the age of 21 with them. It is however important to note that you cannot take paid employment or receive public funds. The rules on dependents regarding age and income requirements are complex so it is important to get in contact with GCH prior to the application process to ensure your visa application process runs smoothly. 

Whether you are looking to start or grow your business, the UK boasts the 5th largest economy in the world and is also a great place to live, raise a family and of course to do business. The ‘Made in Britain’ logo is synonymous with quality goods and services and the English language is an unbelievable asset when it comes to global trade. The UK is a G7 country and an incredibly exciting place to be based in; especially as the UK begins to look beyond Europe in light of post Brexit trade relations. Supporting businesses and international foreign direct investment, the UK has very few barriers to entry for innovative businesses looking to gain a place in the dynamic market. In addition, a start-up culture fosters innovation within a free country open to new opportunities. Turkish Businessperson Visa holders can secure their business continuity in an increasingly volatile world.

If you are not currently a Turkish citizen, you can still leverage this unique visa option through the Turkish Citizenship by Investment (CBI) scheme which offers individuals a Turkish passport in return for a qualifying investment into Turkey. To find out more about the Turkish CBI scheme, please click here.

Global Capital Hub works closely alongside Monarch Solicitors, a UK regulated law firm specialising in UK immigration applications alongside a host of other commercial and personal services. The partnership between GCH and Monarch ensures that clients receive an optimal standard of service and comprehensive expertise at every stage of your application. Monarch Solicitors is a leading law firm based in Manchester specialising in personal, business & international legal services with expertise in operating across English, Turkish, Russian, Arabic and Chinese languages. Their clients range from multinational corporations, investment banks and privately-held companies, small and medium scale businesses, regulatory bodies and governments to entrepreneurs, start-ups and individuals. The team of specialist lawyers at Monarch Solicitors will use their knowledge and experience to develop innovative solutions to your legal and commercial problems. For a range of other work and business visa options offered by Monarch, see here.

In light of the fact that the United Kingdom has opted to leave the European Union, it will no longer be bound by the terms of the Ankara Agreement. As a result, any applications or renewals under this visa scheme will only be available until the 31st December 2020. That being said, the UK government is currently seeking to make a new agreement with the Turkish government to resolve this matter and talks are on-going to reach a mutually beneficial agreement which upholds the longstanding history of cooperation, trade and partnership between the two countries. See Global Capital Hub’s recent article on the future of the Ankara Agreement here.

For more information on the latest updates to the Turkish Businessperson Visa scheme or to find out if you could be eligible for a visa application or extension, please get in contact with our team at Global Capital Hub who will be happy to assist you. 

Tel: +44 (0) 330 057 8888

Mob: +44 (0) 770 888 0502 

[email protected]

globalcapitalhub.com

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