As the UK prepares to leave the European Union, many people are concerned about the status of the Ankara Agreement, which governs the relationship between the UK and Turkey. The Ankara Agreement, signed in 1963, created a customs union between Turkey and the then-European Economic Community, which later became the EU. The UK has been a signatory to the agreement since it joined the EU in 1973.
The Ankara Agreement allows Turkish citizens to work and live in the UK, and vice versa. It also regulates trade between the two countries. However, the UK`s departure from the EU means that the Ankara Agreement will no longer apply to the UK. This has led to concerns among Turkish citizens living in the UK, who may no longer have the right to work or stay in the country.
The UK government has promised to protect the rights of Turkish citizens living in the UK, but it is not yet clear how this will be done. The government has set a deadline of 31 December 2020 for Turkish citizens to apply for residency in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme. This scheme allows EU citizens, including Turkish citizens, to apply for settled or pre-settled status in the UK.
Turkish citizens who have been living in the UK for at least five years can apply for settled status, which gives them the right to stay in the UK indefinitely. Those who have been living in the UK for less than five years can apply for pre-settled status, which allows them to stay in the UK for up to five years, after which they can apply for settled status.
The deadline for applying for settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme is 30 June 2021. Turkish citizens who do not apply by this deadline may lose their right to stay in the UK and will no longer be protected by the Ankara Agreement.
It is important for Turkish citizens living in the UK to apply for settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme as soon as possible. The application process is free and can be done online. Applicants will need to provide proof of identity and proof of residence in the UK. The application process can take several weeks, so it is important to apply well before the deadline.
In conclusion, the Ankara Agreement will no longer apply to the UK after Brexit. Turkish citizens living in the UK should apply for settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme before the deadline of 30 June 2021 in order to protect their right to stay in the UK. It is important to act quickly and to provide all necessary documentation to ensure a successful application.