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RLegalEst.
2002
Closed route

This route is closed to new applicants. The Turkish Worker route closed to new applicants on 31 December 2020. The current route is Skilled Worker Visa →

Turkish Worker Visa

Guidance on the Turkish Worker Visa Route

Apply for a Turkish Worker Visa or work permit in the UK. Our immigration solicitors guide you through eligibility, extensions and family applications.

Your case is run by our senior team
David, Evan or Julian. Two founding partners and a senior caseworker, immigration law only.
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Recognised and regulated
The Legal 500 United Kingdom, Leading FirmLegal 500 Leading FirmSince 2022
Ranked in Chambers and Partners, Business Immigration, 2027, Band 4
Regulated by the SRASince 2002
“We used R Legal to assist with a sponsorship application for a member of the team. They were quick to answer all queries and drove the application forward.”
Mark B., verified review on Reviews.io
How we help
Your case stays with our senior team, from first advice to the Home Office’s decision.

We check you meet the rules, flag anything in your history that needs handling, and prepare and submit the application with you.

Home Office fees
Paid directly to the Home Office, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge where it applies. Current figures are in the guide below.
How long
Standard and priority Home Office services are explained in the guide. We will give you a realistic timeline for your case.
Getting started
Contact us by phone, email or online. We confirm our fee in writing before any work starts. How our fees work →

Why use a solicitor for this application?

Turkish nationals may accrue rights to work in the UK under Article 6 (1) of decision 1/80 of the Association Council established by the European Association Community Agreement, if they have been lawfully employed for at least 1 year in the UK.


Worker

In order to apply for a Turkish worker visa you will need to have lawfully worked in the UK for example, as a work permit holder or, under Tiers 1-5 of the points based system for a continuous period of at least 1 year.

However, lawful employment can include:

  • permission as the spouse of a British citizen or a person granted permanent residence;
  • as an au pair; or
  • as a Tier 4 student migrant granted permission to work 10 hours a week during term time.

Having worked lawfully in the UK law for 1 year, Article 6 (1) of decision 1/80 of the Association Council confers the following rights to Turkish nationals – known as the first to third ‘indents’ of Article 6 (1):


First indent 
– on completion of 1 year of lawful employment, a Turkish national has the right to renew their permit to work for the same employer.

Second indent – on completion of 3 years of lawful employment a Turkish national can renew their permit to work in the same occupation, but does not have to be employed by the same employer.

Third indent – on completion of 4 years of lawful employment, the Turkish national can renew the permit without restriction on who they can work for.

Dependants including a spouse, civil partner, same sex and civil partner and children under the age of 18 can also apply to join the main applicant.

If you currently have permission and would like assistance please contact a member of the team.

Questions clients ask

Before you book, the questions we hear most.

Anything else, just ask us.

Is the Turkish Worker visa still open?

No. This category is closed to new applicants, but individuals already on the route may still be able to extend their stay.

What counted as lawful employment?

Lawful employment included work as a Tier visa holder, spouse of a British citizen, student with work permission, or other authorised employment.

What rights did workers gain after employment?

After one year, applicants could extend work with the same employer. After three years, they could change employer within the same occupation.

Can family members join the applicant?

Yes. Spouses, civil partners and children under 18 could apply to join or remain with the main applicant.

Client reviews

What clients say when the visa arrives.

4.97
358 verified reviews on Reviews.io · 4.9 on Google

“Evan supported me in 2023 by taking full care of my visa application, preparing all the documentation and helping me obtain the visa smoothly and without any issues or stress. More recently, in 2026, following a job change, he provided…”

Laura D. · 21 April 2026 · Verified

“Evan from RLegal Solicitors has been absolutely fantastic. He handled my case meticulously and was thorough at every step. I am very grateful for his support and would highly recommend Evan and RLegal to anyone seeking assistance with…”

Verified client · 2 March 2026 · Verified
Pulled from Reviews.io as they are written. Read all 358 reviews.
Contact us

Speak to us about your Turkish Worker visa.

Tell us about your situation by phone, email or online. We will tell you whether you qualify, what is involved and what it will cost before you commit.

Contact us

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