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ECAA Extension of Stay Visa

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

2-6 months

Application Fee

Free

Stay Duration

Up to 3 years

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Available

Remote Work

Allowed

Apply Now Official Information

Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living

2% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary£31,200

Quality of Life

176/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

This route allows Turkish businesspersons, workers, and their family members who already hold permission under the ECAA (Ankara Agreement) to extend their stay in the UK.

The ECAA Extension of Stay is a UK legacy route for Turkish nationals already in the UK under the Ankara Agreement. It allows continued residence and work — as a businessperson operating a viable business or as a worker with the same employer — for existing ECAA permission holders only.

Extensions are granted for up to 36 months (12 months for workers with under 4 years' UK employment). There is no application fee, decisions typically take up to 6 months, and the route is ILR-eligible via Appendix ECAA Settlement. Dependants can extend separately.

This visa is ideal for Turkish businesspersons and workers already on an ECAA permission who want to continue living and working in the UK without paying a fee.

Stay & Extensions

Extension increments	3 years
Status type	Tied to program duration

Eligible Nationalities (1)

Türkiye

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must hold valid ECAA permission.

Businesspersons must operate a viable business.

Workers must maintain employment with the same sponsor.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport and BRP

Business accounts/tax returns (for businesspersons)

Payslips/employment contract (for workers)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Fee-free
Pathway to ILR
No IHS

Worth Knowing

Closed to new applicants
Strict business/employment maintenance requirements
Business non-viability
Change of employment without authorization

Application Process

Apply online

Attend biometric appointment

Upload supporting documents

Await decision

Application Forms

Go to application portal

Turkish Businessperson Extension Extend your stay as a Turkish Businessperson (ECAA)	Fill online
Turkish Worker Extension Extend your stay as a Turkish Worker (ECAA)	Fill online

Verified Claims (22)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps	Apply online; Attend biometric appointment; Upload supporting documents; Await decision	gov.uk
Dependent Visa	Existing ECAA dependants can extend.	gov.uk
Fee Breakdown	Application Fee: 0 GBP	gov.uk
Fees	£0	gov.uk
Forms	Turkish Businessperson Extension; Turkish Worker Extension	gov.uk
Forms · Turkish Businessperson Extension · description	Extend your stay as a Turkish Businessperson (ECAA)	gov.uk
Forms · Turkish Worker Extension · description	Extend your stay as a Turkish Worker (ECAA)	gov.uk
Included Nationalities	TR	gov.uk

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Overview

This route allows Turkish businesspersons, workers, and their family members who already hold permission under the ECAA (Ankara Agreement) to extend their stay in the UK.

This visa is ideal for Turkish businesspersons and workers already on an ECAA permission who want to continue living and working in the UK without paying a fee.