Istanbul at night: Galata Tower and the lights along the water
Guide Turkey → the UK · moving · checked 1 Nov 2026

Moving from Turkey to the UK

A plain checklist: the visa routes, what to sort before you go, and your first weeks in the UK.

Photo: Pexels
First: can you move?

You need a visa to live in the UK

Living and working in the UK needs a visa. Turkish citizens need a visa for short visits too. The Ankara Agreement business route has been closed to new applicants since 2021.

Job
Skilled WorkerA work visa with a job offer from a UK employer that can sponsor you.
Uni
StudyA student visa to study at a UK university.
Fam
FamilyJoining a partner or close family in the UK; there is an English language requirement.

Which visa fits you: gov.uk/check-uk-visa. We don't give visa advice.

Before you go

Your checklist in Turkey

  1. Your visa approved: it is digital now (an eVisa), linked to your passport.
  2. A valid passport.
  3. Documents in one folder: birth and marriage certificates, diplomas, work references.
  4. Money for the start: the first rent, a deposit (in England at most 5 weeks' rent) and a few weeks of living costs.
  5. Set up your home TV before you go, so it works on day one (how to watch Turkish TV in the UK).
A cosy living room in the evening with a TV and warm shelf lights
Day one in the UK

Home TV, ready when you land

The first weeks abroad are the hardest. The news from home, your series and the kids' cartoons in Turkish make the new flat feel like home faster.

How to watch Turkish TV in the UK →
Advertisement: Turkish channels live with VOLTIX →
Photo: Pexels
Your first weeks

Your checklist in the UK

  1. Phone: a pay-as-you-go SIM works at once.
  2. Proving your status: employers and landlords check it online; you give them a share code from gov.uk.
  3. Bank account: banks often ask for proof of address; app banks are usually quicker to open.
  4. National Insurance number: you need one for tax. Apply online if you don't have one; you can start work while you wait.
  5. Doctor: register with a GP surgery near you. It's free to register.
  6. Council tax: tell your local council you moved in.
  7. TV licence: needed to watch live TV, Turkish channels included.
  8. Driving: a Turkish licence is valid for 12 months after you move; then you need to pass the UK test.
Quick answers

Questions people ask

Do I need a visa to work in the UK?

Yes. The usual routes are a sponsored job, study and family visas. Check which fits you on gov.uk.

Do I need a visa to visit the UK?

Yes. Turkish citizens need a visa for short visits too.

Is the Ankara Agreement route still open?

It has been closed to new applicants since 2021. People already in the UK on it have their own rules; check gov.uk.

Is my Turkish driving licence valid in the UK?

For 12 months after you move. Then you need to pass the UK driving test.

Can I watch Turkish TV in the UK?

Yes. Our Turkish TV in the UK guide shows every option.

More for Turkish people in the UK

Guides for you

Turkish TV in the UKThe Turkish channels live, and how the official options compare.The Turkish community in the UKHow many, where people live, mosques, Turkish lessons and where people meet online.Moving to the UKThe visa routes, before you go and your first weeks.
Sources