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Turkish citizens with permission to work in the United Kingdom

This page explains the rights of Turkish citizens who are already working in the United Kingdom.

The European Community Association Agreement (ECAA) with Turkey gives certain economic rights to Turkish citizens in their dealings with European Union (EU) countries, in preparation for Turkey's eventual accession to the EU. A decision by the Association Council of the ECAA gives certain rights to citizens of Turkey who are already legally working in the United Kingdom

If you are a Turkish citizen legally employed in the United Kingdom because you have a visa that gives you permission to work, you may:

  • apply for further permission to stay in the United Kingdom after working here for one year, so that you can continue to work for the same employer, if a job is available;
  • change employers after working here for three years, provided you continue to work in the same type of job and your employer tried to hire a European Community citizen to do the job but was not able to do so; and
  • work in any type of job for any employer after four years.

You will not be able to apply for permission to stay here permanently (known as 'indefinite leave to remain').

To apply for permission to stay longer in this category, you will need to complete application form ECAA 1 Turkish employed, which you can download from the right side of this page. See How do I complete application form ECAA 1 Turkish employed? for guidance on completing it.

If you have any dependants who are already living with you in the United Kingdom, they can be included in your application or may apply separately. Dependant children aged 18 or over must apply separately. Dependants who apply separately will need to complete application form ECAA 3 Turkish dependant, which you can download from the right side of this page. See How do i complete application form ECAA 3 Turkish dependant? for guidance on completing it.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is my immigration status while my application is being decided?

    If you make an application before your authorised stay ends, your existing immigration status will continue until your application is decided, even if the decision is not made until after the end of your permitted stay. If your existing visa or other permission to stay here allows you to work, you can continue to do so until your case is decided.

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