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Discretion when considering absences from the United Kingdom during the residential qualifying period

This page explains how we can use our discretion when considering absences from the United Kingdom during the residential qualifying period when considering applications for naturalisation as a British citizen.

We normally disregard absences of up to 300 days.

We will disregard absences of up to 540 days only if you meet all the other requirements and have established your home, family and a large part of your estate here. We would also expect that:

  • for absences of up to 450 days, you have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last four years; or
  • for absences over 450 days, you have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last five years; or
  • the absences were due to you serving abroad in crown service or due to your husband, wife or civil partner serving abroad in crown or designated service; or
  • the absences were unavoidable due to the nature of your work. For example if you are a merchant seaman or work for a United Kingdom based business which requires frequent travel abroad; or
  • there are exceptional or compelling reasons of an occupational or compassionate nature such as having a firm job offer for which British citizenship is a genuine requirement.

Absences in the final year are considered in the following way.

  • If the total is up to 100 days, we normally disregard the absence.
    • the residence requirements over the qualifying period are met; and
    • you have demonstrated a link with the United Kingdom by establishing your home, family and a large part of your estate here.
      • you have demonstrated a link with the United Kingdom by establishing your home, family and a large part of your estate here; and
      • the absence was due to you serving abroad in crown service or due to a compelling occupational or compassionate reason.
        • the residence requirements over the qualifying period are met; and
        • you have demonstrated a link with the United Kingdom by establishing your home, family and a large part of your estate here; and
        • the absence was due to you serving abroad in crown service or due to a compelling occupational or compassionate reason.
  • If the total is over 180 days and you have not met the residence requirements over the qualifying period, we would only consider disregarding the absence in exceptional circumstances.

Terms explained

  • Discretion

    This means we can consider the particular circumstances and in special cases grant an application.

  • Estate

    Everything that you own.

All glossary terms