New visa route for Turkish businesspersons
The UK Border Agency has introduced a new visa route for Turkish nationals applying to establish in business under the European Community Association Agreement (ECAA).
The route, which was opened in September, will enable Turkish nationals who are outside the United Kingdom to enter the country in the Turkish ECAA business category. Previously, this category was open only to Turkish nationals who were already in the United Kingdom.
The route has been introduced in response to the findings of the European Court of Justice in the case of Tum & Dari (C-16/05).
The new visa route is very good news. But, from April 2010, some Turkish nationals who are already in the United Kingdom will no longer be allowed to switch into the Turkish ECAA business category. Only visitors, those already present with permission to run a business and other exceptional cases will be able to switch. Further Home Office guidance will be published later.
For more information about the ECAA and the rights of Turkish citizens who are already in the United Kingdom, see the Citizens of Turkey section on the Home Office website.
