Recent changes in the application process for ECAA Turkish Businessperson visa extensions and indefinite leave to remain under the Ankara Agreement have sparked concerns, as highlighted in a recent assessment. Following the relocation of the processing unit from Sheffield to Liverpool in November 2025, applicants have experienced increased waiting times and heightened scrutiny, often leading to refusals. While the official rules remain unchanged, they appear to be applied more rigorously, raising suspicions. The assessment indicates that technical details such as billing procedures, bank payment references, ICO registration, website appearance, and administrative shortcomings are becoming focal points in evaluations, overshadowing the primary question of whether the applicant has genuinely established and is running a sustainable business.
Tamer Ulay, who authored the assessment, underscores the importance of evaluating whether an applicant has genuinely established a business and is actively managing it. He argues that minor administrative or technical issues should not automatically discredit a business’s legitimacy. Ulay stresses that applicants with a history of extensions, who have consistently paid taxes and supported their families with their business income, should not be subject to a fault-finding approach in evaluations. The assessment acknowledges that small businesses may not have perfect systems or documents, and while these can be scrutinized, they should not serve as automatic grounds for rejection, as this approach fails to align with real business practices.
The lengthy processing times for applications under this agreement are also highlighted as a significant concern, impacting applicants’ business planning, travel, children’s education, family life, and financial decisions. These delays have resulted in considerable stress for applicants and their families. The assessment suggests that if similar grounds for refusal become common, it may indicate a broader structural shift in how these applications are handled, rather than being isolated incidents.
While the article does not advocate for the acceptance of fraudulent applications, it emphasizes that legitimate businesses should not be penalized for minor technical or administrative issues. It advises applicants to meticulously prepare their documents, be aware of common grounds for refusal, seek professional legal guidance, and adopt strategic actions when necessary. Each application, it advises, should be assessed based on its unique circumstances, and the provided content does not constitute specific legal advice.
VisaFree World, the platform that published the assessment, focuses on immigration, visas, residency, citizenship, and investment-based settlement content, particularly related to UK immigration law and the Ankara Agreement. It offers insights into visa refusals, administrative appeals, judicial review processes, and international settlement programs. The information provided in the assessment is attributed to independent third-party contributors, and the platform disclaims liability for any unauthorized use of copyrighted materials by third parties.