Naturalisation as a British citizen by discretion experience?

[scottng8888]

Hi there,

I wonder if there's any experience from anyone on here that they have / haven't applied for British Citizenship by discretion?

I successfully applied for Indefinite Leave to Remain and I got the status in January 2021. I’m hoping to apply for citizenship in January next year after 12 months.

However, I've left the UK for more than 90 days since May this year because my father got a terminal illness and then passed away in June. And I’m actually still aboard in Hong Kong staying with my family especially with my mum for emotional support.

I’m planning to return to the UK in November that would mean my absence would be less than 179 days. I understand that I won't be able to meet the residence requirement of less than 90 days of absence in the final year before I apply the citizenship in a normal way. But I read the application guidance that discretion might be exercised by caseworker if I could demonstrate that I have established my home in the UK through a number of things if I spend more than 90 days outside the UK

I still have the intention to settle in the UK, but I'm not too sure what does home establishment in the UK mean specifically? And what kind of evidence I should provide to increase my chance of success of the application.

So any experience sharing of applying Naturalisation as a British citizen by discretion would be great!

Many thanks,
Scott

[vinny]

Check the Guidance.

Alternatively, it may be easier to wait until you satisfy the final year’s absence requirement before applying?