Turkish Nationals Face 78% Drop in UK Residency Grants

Turkish nationals in the United Kingdom are facing a surge in refusals for indefinite leave to remain under the European Community Association Agreement (ECAA) visas. Settlement grants plummeted by 78% between the first half of 2025 and the first half of 2026, falling from 3,378 to 745.

David Lammy, Member of Parliament for Tottenham, alleges an undocumented shift in policy that mirrors the Windrush scandal. He points to refusal letters containing basic errors and the imposition of non-existent requirements, such as requiring businesses to have a social media presence. The increase in refusals follows proposals by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for tougher residency conditions.

The Home Office maintains that no rules have changed and that applications are considered individually. However, the number of administrative reviews has more than doubled, rising from 145 in 2025 to 395 by mid-August 2026.