Recent modifications in the application process for ECAA Turkish Businessperson visa extensions and indefinite leave to remain under the Ankara Agreement have been stirring concerns, as highlighted in a new report. The assessment, authored by Tamer Ulay, discusses the implications of moving the processing unit for these cases from Sheffield to Liverpool in November 2025. This change has reportedly resulted in longer processing times and an increase in rejections based on technicalities. While the official guidelines for the visa have not been altered, the application of these rules seems to have become stricter, leading to more refusals. Particular attention is now being given to aspects such as billing procedures, bank payment references, ICO registration, and the presentation of commercial documents, overshadowing the core requirement of whether a business has genuinely been established and is operational.
Tamer Ulay has argued that the main criterion for Ankara Agreement applications should focus on the actual establishment and active operation of a business in the UK. He noted that minor administrative or technical flaws should not automatically disqualify a business as non-genuine. Applications from individuals who have consistently received extensions, paid taxes, and supported their families through their businesses should not be judged solely on a fault-finding basis. The report suggests that while shortcomings in invoicing or website completeness should be reviewed, they should not lead to automatic rejections inconsistent with real-world business operations.
The report also highlights the strain that lengthy application processes impose on applicants and their families. Extended waiting periods can disrupt business planning, travel, children’s education, family life, and financial decisions. The assessment warns that if similar rejections occur across many cases, this might indicate a broader structural change in practice rather than issues with individual applications.
While the article clarifies it does not support fraudulent applications or shell companies, it stresses the importance of distinguishing genuine business owners from those with fraudulent intentions. Legitimate applicants should not be unfairly penalized due to technical or administrative errors. Applicants are advised to meticulously prepare their documentation, be aware of common grounds for refusal, seek legal assistance, and adopt strategic approaches when necessary.
VisaFree World, the platform where this analysis was published, focuses on immigration, visa, residency, and investment matters in the UK and beyond, with a particular emphasis on UK immigration laws, the Ankara Agreement, and visa challenges. The content serves as informational and does not replace personal legal advice, reminding readers that each application should be evaluated on its own merits.