Recent developments regarding the ECAA Turkish Businessperson visa extensions and indefinite leave to remain, known as the Ankara Agreement, have sparked concerns. According to a new analysis, the relocation of the unit handling these cases from Sheffield to Liverpool in November 2025 has resulted in increased waiting times for applicants, as well as a rise in refusals based on technicalities. Although the official regulations remain unchanged, the implementation seems to have become more stringent and prone to rejecting applications. Key elements such as billing procedures, bank payment references, and administrative aspects of commercial documents are now under intense scrutiny, overshadowing the central focus of whether an applicant has genuinely established and is operating a viable business.
The assessment highlights that the core issue in Ankara Agreement applications should revolve around the genuine establishment and operation of a business in the UK. Tamer Ulay, the author of the report, argues that minor administrative or technical flaws should not automatically disqualify a business as inauthentic. Ulay emphasizes that individuals who have consistently received extensions, paid taxes, and supported their families should not have their applications judged solely on a fault-finding basis. He notes that small businesses often experience imperfections in areas like invoicing and website completeness, and while these can be considered during evaluations, they should not serve as automatic grounds for rejection.
Moreover, the article points out that extended processing times place significant strain on applicants and their families, impacting business planning, travel, education, and financial decisions. The analysis suggests that if multiple cases exhibit similar grounds for refusal, this might hint at a broader, structural shift in the application process rather than isolated issues.
While the article clarifies that it does not support fraudulent applications, it underscores the need for legitimate business owners to be distinguished from unreliable applicants despite technical or administrative shortcomings. Applicants under the Ankara Agreement are advised to meticulously prepare their documents, monitor common refusal grounds, seek professional legal advice, and adopt strategic approaches when needed. Each application should be assessed based on its unique circumstances, and the content provided does not serve as personalized legal counsel.
VisaFree World, the platform behind the publication, specializes in providing Turkish-language content on immigration, visas, and settlement in regions like the UK and the EU. The platform primarily addresses UK immigration laws, Ankara Agreement nuances, and visa-related legal processes, among other international settlement topics.