Hi,
I got my ILR in Sep 2010 after 5 years of working in the UK and thus I've been eligible to apply for British citizenship since Sep 2011.
I fulfil all requirements except that due to a family tragedy and also business travel I was away from the UK for 151 days (80 days personal + 71 days work related trips) in the last 12 months. I comfortably fulfil the 5-year residence requirement ie total absence over 5 years was 270 days, well under the 450 day limit.
I'm a bachelor and I don't own a home in the UK yet. I work in a bank on a permanent contract.
Do you think there's any chance I can ask for the 12 month residence requirement to be overlooked? The form AN says "
Total number of absences that may be disregarded where all other
requirements are met and:
a) you have demonstrated links with the UK through presence of family,
and established home and a substantial part of your estate; and
b) the absence is justified by Crown service or by compelling
occupational or compassionate reasons taking account of the criteria at
section 5A1"
Not sure what the compassionate reasons are, but I have a feeling that providing a family tragedy as an excuse on compassionate reasons might backfire by demonstrating that I still have strong emotional ties outside the UK.
Many many thanks for your valuable time and your generosity.
- FAQ
- Login
- Register
- Call Workpermit.com for a paid service +44 (0)344-991-9222