Is the Ankara Agreement (ECAA) visa open to new applications, and can an existing visa be extended?

What this post covers

This post gives general information about Ankara Agreement (ECAA) visas across the UK. It is based on GOV.UK pages as of October 2026. It cannot say who can apply or what the outcome would be.

Details

New applications

• GOV.UK says new applications for the Turkish Businessperson visa have closed. Only children under 21 who want to join someone holding this visa can still apply.
• The Turkish Worker page only explains how to extend existing permission. The official pages do not describe a new application route for Worker.
• Home Office staff guidance (version 3.0, 11 November 2025) says the following. These rules came into force on 31 December 2020. Switching into this visa from another visa is marked "No". Partners who have not held ECAA leave before cannot apply under these rules. Children under 21 are treated separately.
• The guidance may be out of date. The Immigration Rules page was updated on 8 October 2026. The Rules page does not clearly state the switching ban. So check both.

Extensions

• GOV.UK says a Worker extension is applied for online. The person must be in the UK and must apply before current permission ends.
• The GOV.UK pages say there is no fee to apply to extend. This does not mean there are no other costs. The pages do not mention costs such as the health surcharge. Check the official page or ask an adviser.
• A decision usually comes within 6 months. The Businessperson page says it can be extended many times while the requirements are met, for up to 3 years each time.
• The Worker page says 3 to 4 years of legal work gives up to 1 year, and 4 years or more gives up to 3 years. The Rules word the employer conditions more strictly. Where they differ, the Rules prevail.

Settlement

• Both pages say that after 5 years a person may be able to apply for ILR (indefinite leave to remain, permanent settlement).
• The ECAA Settlement Rules set a 5-year continuous residence requirement and a requirement to show knowledge of English and of life in the UK. Rules can change, so check the page when you apply.

Proposed change

• "Earned settlement" is a proposed change to settlement rules. The consultation ran from 20 November 2025 to 12 February 2026. The GOV.UK page says feedback is being analysed and the outcome will be posted there. The page was last updated on 28 November 2025 and does not mention ECAA. So it does not show whether ECAA holders would be affected. Check the page for the latest position.

What to check

What can you do?

• Read the official pages: Turkish Businessperson visa and Turkish Worker visa.
• GOV.UK says all immigration advisers must be registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) or be members of an approved professional body. The Find an immigration adviser page also points to solicitors and barristers. It says you cannot get your money back if an adviser is not regulated.

Questions to ask an adviser

1. How does the date my ECAA leave was granted relate to the conditions of this route?
2. How do employer and occupation conditions affect an extension?
3. How should the application timing be planned around my current permission end date?
4. Is there any cost other than the application fee?
5. Could the proposed earned settlement rules change the time I have left towards ILR?
6. What routes exist for my partner and children?