I have started this thread and since I have been successful let me offer some tips (and no, I won't tell you to read the FAQ
)
Firstly, it doesn't seem to matter how many days you've been absent as long as: 1) you are able to list them all; 2) you have a
valid reason for each and 3) there were no >90days absences. You need to provide evidence that short absences were indeed necessary or unavoidable and that you have maintained continuous stay in the UK.
For instance, if you have been away for business then you must obtain company letter explaining each absence or provide evidence that the absences were required to maintain your job in the UK. If majority or all absences were
personal then similarly you need to convince caseworker that it was indeed necessary. Most of us have some/all family abroad and maintaining relationship requires travel each year. I think it's important not to have long single absences as this may indicate potential break of continuity. For those on payroll having more holidays then the yearly quota will definitely attract more scrutiny.
If you happen to have a single absence of more than 90 days then I suspect that would constitute a break of continuity and such applications may have substantially lower chance of success (based on what I have read about people experience in this forum). However there are several cases of success, some examples are listed in the FAQ. Note that they have all been business absences with company letters to prove.
Although weekends and public holidays don't count it make sense to show both total days with and without (especially if the latter brings the number substantially below 180 days). In calculating total days don't include days that you were in transit (eg. leave on Friday, come back on Monday, total = 2 days away).
More importantly you need to supply a table with dates in and out, reason for absence for each, indicate matching stamps in passport (by referring to passport page) and total days for each period of absence. A caseworker will probably calculate some or most days herself but seeing that you have done the work increases confidence. Also in my case, it was the first thing she asked for.
Finally, they do seem to take into account your entire application, not just each requirement in separation when it comes to exercising their discretion. So ensure you have all required documents and
photocopies. Prepare summaries of your financial info to help them with reviewing your case, even highlight salary received on bank statements. Think about it this way - if you were a caseworker and reviewing your own case what would make your life easier? It's almost like a job interview in a way that if they doubt about something you need to immediately remove that risk, in this case by providing evidence.
There is also an UKBA guidelines document I found useful
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... iew=Binary.
In my case the following documents were accepted:
Statement of absences
P60s for 5 yr (and photocopies)
Passports (and photocopies)
Bank statements + Pay Slips (and their photocopies)
Letter confirming salary, job title, employment start date
