INFORMATION AND LINKS TO SERVICE PROVIDERS

This section contains information and useful links to Chamber web pages and other web sites dealing with the issues of setting up a business in Turkey or the UK. For your convenience, some key links are displayed within the sections. You can also search for and display any Link by title, country or category from the Useful Links Menu.

UK VISA REQUIREMENTS
Any person who is not a citizen of Britain or one of the European Economic Area countries, needs to have a valid UK visa (Entry Clearance) to enter or remain in the UK.

All Turkish nationals require a valid UK visa before travelling to the UK for any purpose. This includes employment, setting up business as self-employed person or a director or investor. The requirement for a visa also applies for visiting/tourism, education, au pair placement, working holidays, training or work experience. While non-British nationals can establish or join a business in the UK, overseas businessmen and investors are advised to check if the UK immigration rules restrict work activities a director may carry out whilst in the UK.

For further information and advice on obtaining a UK visa, click on:

UK Visa - Immigration Rules
British Consulate General Istanbul
British Embassy in Ankara
British Consulate Marmaris
Visa Application Forms

TURKISH VISA REQUIREMENTS
The information below is about British citizens. Persons who are not Turkish or British passport holders, should contact the Turkish Consulate General London or other Turkish diplomatic missions abroad to find out if they require a visa to enter Turkey.

BRITISH PASSPORT HOLDERS
Ordinary British passport holders require a tourist visa to enter Turkey. They can obtain three months multiple entry sticker-type visas at a port of entry in Turkey for a fee of £10. Alternatively, British passport holders can obtain their visas from the Turkish Consulate General London for which the charge is £36 and applicants are required to make an online appointment before visiting the Consulate.

Persons under the age of 18 can travel on their parents’ passports.

Tourist visas do not grant the right to the visa holder to take up paid or unpaid employment, or to reside, or to study (including student exchange programs) or to establish business in Turkey.

All official and diplomatic passport holders are required to contact Turkish Embassy in London for their visa enquiries.

British National Overseas Passport holders (except Hong Kong) and all Travel Document holders (including British travel documents) require a Turkish visa. Certificate of Identity holders cannot apply for a Turkish visa.

For further information and advice on obtaining a Turkish visa, click on:
Turkish Consulate General London
Turkish Visa Request Form

TRAVEL ASSISTANCE
For all your travel needs between and within the UK and Turkey, Chamber members offer wide-ranging expertise and experience in making air, sea and road travel arrangements. The Turkish British Chamber of Commerce and Industry include member airlines, travel agents, bus-coach, taxi, car rental and tour operators. To view a list of Chamber recommended travel service providers, click on the View Travel Service Providers button. For further information and advice about travel between and within the UK and Turkey, visit:

ACCOMMODATION
Click on click on the button to view a list of Chamber Member Hotels.

FREIGHT ASSISTANCE
TBCCI members provide professional services for freight forwarding and other logistical needs. These services include freight forwarding by air, sea or road, warehousing, bonded storage, trucking, removals, collection, customs clearance and delivery of consignments. To view a list of Freight services provided by Chamber members or advice on freight transport, click on:

About Freight Transport
Logistics and Transport Checklist

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
If would like to know which documents are needed to establish or join a business or a company in the UK, click on the type of business below:

TBCCI DOCUMENT CERTIFICATION SERVICES
The Chamber is authorised by both the UK and Turkish authorities to issue and certify Certificates of Origin, ATR-EUR1 Certificates, Invoices, Letters, Articles of Association, Memorandum of Association, Special Certificates and other Commercial documents. TBCCI will complete the process required for the certification and legalisation of documents on your behalf.

Using the TBCCI “Special Courier Service”, TBCCI Certification and Turkish Consulate and Foreign Office authorisations can be completed in three working days at most. To take advantage of these services, click on:

• Document Certification
• Document Legalisation
• ATR-EUR1 Certificates

IMPORT - EXPORT ADVICE
For your export documentation, you can use the extensive document services provided by the Chamber. See section TBCCI Document Services above. To view a list of Chamber members who can offer logistical services for your exports, visit the section on Freight Service Providers. For the latest import, export and freight forwarding advice from HM Revenue & Customs, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the British Chambers of Commerce and Turkish authorities, click on:

UK IMPORT- EXPORT
Guide to importing and exporting
About Import and Export
Export Controls and Sanctions
The New Export System (NES)
National Advice Service
Reporting and Documentary Requirements

TURKISH IMPORT - EXPORT
Export Regime of Turkey
Import Regime of Turkey
Business Opportunities in Turkey
Turkish Regulations
Turkish Export Import Questions
Turkish Economy

CUSTOMS ADVICE
For information about Turkish Customs, advice on UK customs procedures, latest UK customs updates and what you can bring into the UK, click on:

Turkish Customs
TC Gümrük Müsteşarlığı
UK Customs Information and Guidance
Travellers UK Customs Advice
Latest UK Customs updates
UK Customs Forms

UK
VAT (Value Added Tax) is a tax on consumer spending collected on business transactions, imports and acquisitions. VAT is payable, in the course of a business transaction, on supplies of goods and services if they are made in the UK. While VAT is collected on sales of goods or services, Excise Duty is charged on the production of the goods.

There are three rates of VAT:
- a standard rate, 17.5%
- a reduced rate, 5% and
- a zero rate

For more information about VAT and Excise, the rates and charges applicable, or the applicable VAT and Excise forms, click on:

About VAT
VAT Forms
About Excise
Excise forms
Avrupa Birliği KDV Mevzuatı (İn Turkish)

TURKISH VAT (KDV: Katma Değer Vergisi )
In the Turkish tax system, value added tax (KDV) applies to
- Commercial, industrial, agricultural or independent professional activities within Turkey, and
- goods or services are imported into Turkey
The person who supplies or imports the goods or services is liable for the tax, his liability calculated as the difference between the VAT liability on sales (output VAT) and the amount paid on his purchases (input VAT). The final consumer bears the financial burden of this tax. The standard rate is 18%. For special rates, exemptions and more information about the Turkish VAT, see the official Turkish Revenue Administration website Turkish Taxation System  

BANKS
Click on the button to view a list of Chamber Member Banks

ACCOUNTANCY AND FINANCE SERVICE PROVIDERS
Click on the button to view a list of Chamber member Finance Service Providers

TAXATION
To view a list of companies offering or expert advice on your personal or business taxation in the UK or Turkey, click on the “View Taxation Firms” button below to view a list of companies offering taxation services. For general information about tax liabilities or tax reliefs provided by double taxation agreements, visit:

UK-Turkey Double taxation agreement; Article 23: Elimination of double taxation
Uk-Turkey Double taxation relief manual
Chartered Institute of Taxation, association of UK Chartered Tax Advisers
HM Revenue and Customs
Turkish Revenue Administration
Turkish Taxation Regulations (in Turkish)

LEGAL SERVICES
When setting up a business or registering a company in the UK you are advised obtain legal advice. To view a list of TBCCI recommended legal service providers who can offer legal advice and representation for your personal or business needs, click on the Legal Service Providers button below. These providers can also assist you about any legal issues related to Turkey, the UK and any bilateral matter between the two countries including Trade and Investment regulations, Export, Import, Customs and Tax regulations, Business disputes, Debt Recovery, Immigration, Work Permit, and personal and family matters.

You can also post a query to the Chamber by completing the form in the Legal Assistance section.

TRANSLATION INTERPRETING
Chamber members can provide authorised translation and interpreting services for your day-to-day and official correspondences including Business Letters, letters to Government and Local authorities, Websites, Contracts, Training Manuals, Medical documents, Certificates of Origin, Invoices, Bank Statements, Powers of Attorney, Articles of Association, Memorandum of Association, Special Certificates and other Commercial documents. The recommended translation services can also assist you for your notarisation needs.

If you are looking for a translation service, click on the View Translators-Interpreters button below.

PROPERTY
To view a list of Estate Agents and Property Consultants in Turkey ' Uk or Northern Cyprus , click on the Property button below

Back to main Business Guide sections:

• Starting your business in the UK
• Starting your business in Turkey