Thanks, luckyboy & katwmn6. luckyboy, I prepared 2 versions of employment letter. One is the standard letter with my start date and based permanently in UK. The other version is with additional information, list of paid & unpaid leave, remained on UK payroll, paid NI and tax in the UK .. etc...

I applied in Solihull. The process was surprising fast. My appointment at 9am. Reached there before 9am, 5 mins security check, wait about 10 mins then 15 mins with the case officer. She only ask 1 question "How many days I was abroad". I replied "255". After she did some checks...

Thanks for clarifying, arbooker. I have a total of 211 absences abroad (discounting travel days) or 255 (includes travel days) for the last 5 years. All for holiday purposes. 46 days unpaid (includes weekends and public holidays), the rest are paid leave. Most holidays were short weekend trips and ...

1. You mentioned "the Home Office has recently clarified the rules to the effect that it's okay to exceed", did the case office inform you verbally ? The guideline (http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/modernised/cross-cut/ilr-calculating-continuous/ilr-cal...

I am happy to report that my family and I got our ILR on 30 August from the Cardiff office. Thanks again to the many people who have posted to this forum; the practical advice that I received here was better than what I got from my university and their recommended solicitor. Other posters have comm...