unpaid holidays

[mirzakhalid82]

Hi, I am on Tier 1 general visa and my 5 year ilr is due soon.
I went to my home country for 10 days to attend my mother’s funeral . Now 7 days out of these 10 days were unpaid. Is there any problem with unpaid holidays? My employer was aware about it and I can also get letter from my employer explaining these days off.

I have also got my mother’s death certificate (original).

Now question is, can these 7 unpaid holidays can cause any problem or am I OK with this?
What kind of document(s) should I provide for unpaid holidays?
Any suggestions please…. Any one

Thank you

[gbhsmp]

Hi,

These are my opinions since I too had a similar case long back and now I am a British citizen.
I had to leave UK for a period of 20 days since my mother was terminally ill and she had to be hospitalised urgently.
If your employer is ready to give a letter then I feel there is no need to worry.
The unpaid leave issue is taken seriously only if you are in-between jobs and want to claim the days off from country. If the unpaid leave was within the employment period, UKBA does not care much. The continuity in a job is looked at more importantly.

I suggest you go for a inperson-PEO instead of postal. The caseworker has a chance to talk in case they have any doubts and it is easier that way IMHO.

Get a letter from employer and also attach the medical bills and anything hospital related which correlates to your absence days.
You will be fine.
If you still feel this is a sensitive issue for you then go for an OISC approved immigration solicitor who will be able to prepare your case more easily and send you for the PEO appointment.