Days Out Of The Country For UK Citizenship Application

[uhd4k]

Hello,

Soon, I am planning to apply for British citizenship. I meet most criteria except potentially the Absence rule. The good news is that I have spent less than 90 days in the last year, and I was inside the UK a year back from my application date. However, I have spent exactly 480 days outside the UK in the last 5 years, and that excludes part-days. That is 30 days more than the limit of 450 for citizenship applications. The official guide states :

- Normal permitted absence in the qualifying period: 450 days.

- Total number of days normally disregarded: 480 days.

My confusion is about the word "normally". What are the criteria to disregard 480, so that I know if I fit into it or not?

Thanks.

[alterhase58]

There's no exact definition what "normally" means, or what criteria are applied, however, I would read it that if all the other requirements have been met then there shouldn't be a problem. Also probably best to include an explanatory note as to why you are over the normal allowance (business, family emergencies, family reunion, etc). I should think that UKVI recognise that applicants don't necessarily plan for this up front.
Others here may be able to contribute personal experience around this aspect.

[AmazonianX]

Hello,

Soon, I am planning to apply for British citizenship. I meet most criteria except potentially the Absence rule. The good news is that I have spent less than 90 days in the last year, and I was inside the UK a year back from my application date. However, I have spent exactly 480 days outside the UK in the last 5 years, and that excludes part-days. That is 30 days more than the limit of 450 for citizenship applications. The official guide states :

- Normal permitted absence in the qualifying period: 450 days.

- Total number of days normally disregarded: 480 days.

My confusion is about the word "normally". What are the criteria to disregard 480, so that I know if I fit into it or not?

Thanks.

In UK a year back from application date is not relevant. In your case you would want to check in UK 5years back.