Janjua & Associates: UK Immigration Specialists

A European Community Association Agreement Visa (ECAA) , which is also referred to as a European Economic Area Visa is an immigration service specifically for nationals of countries with the relevant European Community Association Agreement in place. At this moment in time this refers to Bulgarian and Romanian.

Applying for a UK Visa for immigration under this particular category will allow individuals the right to work and live in the UK by establishing a business. The business can be in any sector and of any size. If you do not qualify for this UK Visa service, it is possible that you may qualify under different type of UK Business Visa among the ones available on our site.

ECAA Visa Benefits

The main benefit of the ECAA Visa is for the candidates that qualify where there is no investment required unlike certain other UK Business Visa services such as Tier 1 Investor and Tier 1 Entrepreneur.

Also candidates applying under the ECAA Visa are not required to create a number of jobs in the United Kingdom and are not expected to invest large sums of money in the country. Similar to the points based system of the Tier 1 General Visa (previously known as the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme or HSMP) this visa offers absolute freedom in the choice of business and the extent which you intend to develop the business you establish, also baring in mind that unlike the Tier 1 General (HSMP) you are not assessed on a Points Based System.

An individual who holds the European Economic Area visa will not need a separate UK work permit visa. The only main restrictions are that the candidate must not employ outside his or her business as well as making sure they work full time in the running of the company and not engage in any sort of business activity outside of their individual business itself. Holders of European Economic Area visas do not require a UK work permit visa, however, they must not engage in business activity or employment outside their business and must work full time in running the enterprise.

ECAA Visa Duration

When the visa is initially granted it covers the individual for a two year period, the visa can then be extended at a later time by three or more years dependent on the progress of the business in conjunction with the original business plan as well as the following criteria being met.

1. Applicants must have been able to support any dependents whilst they were in the UK without any recourse to public funds.

2. Applicants must be involved in various aspects of their business such as management and promoting.

3. The Applicants business must still be trading with sufficient funds to keep the business operating successfully.

Once the visa extension application is successfully approved and the applicant has completed a total of five years under the visa, they can then be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK also known in short as ILR or permanent residence. After an applicant obtains ILR he may then opt to become a UK citizen by getting naturalised.

In order for a candidate to qualify for this scheme they will need to be able to satisfy the following criteria:

1. Applicants must be citizens of Bulgaria or Romania

2. Applicants must be solely working for their business that they have described in their business plan, they are eligible to trade as a limited company in a partnership or as individuals, however in the case of limited companies the applicant must have the controlling share in the business.

3. Applicants must have been able to support any dependents whilst they were in the UK without any recourse to public funds.

4. Applicants must be in the position to implement their presented business plan along with projected balance sheets that detail the profit and loss expectations of the company. Also evidence of the applicant's relevant qualifications and work experience must be shown.

Dependants

Except for the Business Visitor Visa service which is also referred to as a Tourist Visa or Travel Visa, the UK Business Class Visas are also potential routes to settlement in the UK and allow for your spouse and dependents to immigrate along with the applicant.

European Community Association Agreement Visas are no exception and candidates who enter the UK with this visa may also be eligible to become permanent residents of the UK if their business proposals are carried out successfully. You would be permitted to bring your spouse or unmarried partner and dependant children in the country.

Your spouse or unmarried partner will be eligible to undertake any lawful employment similar to the manner it is provided by in a Marriage Visa or De Facto Visa, also described as an Unmarried Partner Visa, and your dependents will also have the same rights to healthcare as well as education as any British citizen.