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Work absences waived for Naturalisation?

Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 12:46 pm
by blinkhouse
Hello,

I'm sure this has been asked before but I haven't been able to find anything on the boards that relate, so apologies if this appears elsewhere.

I have now had my my ILR and I was hoping to apply for naturalisation. I have counted my days away in the last year and have counted 117, 86 of which were for work purposes (i.e employed by a British Company, being paid in British currency). Are these days able to waived at all, as without these I have only been away for 31 days in the past year, and the nature of my work (film and television) means I am often required to travel abroad to earn my living.

Many thanks!

Re: Work absences waived for Naturalisation?

Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 12:48 pm
by CR001
No. Absence includes ALL absences. Suggest wait a month or two to be closer to the 90 day mark.

Re: Work absences waived for Naturalisation?

Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 1:02 pm
by blinkhouse
Disaster. The majority of those absences were in one large block (80 days).

Re: Work absences waived for Naturalisation?

Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 1:16 pm
by CR001
When would you be close to say 100 days absence?

A pint to note is that the fee is dropping slightly on 6th April.

Re: Work absences waived for Naturalisation?

Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 1:25 pm
by blinkhouse
I will be on 112 days mid- May, and then 100 days exactly on the 25th July. This was however 12 days into my 80 day absence.

Re: Work absences waived for Naturalisation?

Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 1:51 pm
by CR001
Should be fine to apply in July and the extra days will be disregarded.

Re: Work absences waived for Naturalisation?

Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 1:52 pm
by RRSB2012
Hi Blinkhouse,

absences of 100 days in last one year are normally disregarded. In case of any excess absences you will have to request discretion. Refer to Annexure B to chapter 18 of immigration rules.

Also have you counted how many days were you absent from UK in last 5 years?
and were you in UK exactly 5 years before the day, the home office will receive your application?

If nature of your job needs regular travel and you have your estate in UK, I guess there could be a possibility of requesting a discretion, but I am not 100% sure.

Regards
R

Re: Work absences waived for Naturalisation?

Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 1:54 pm
by alterhase58
CR001 wrote:... A pint to note is that the fee is dropping slightly on 6th April.
Acvcording to this https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... pr2017.pdf
the fee has gone up £46. :?:

Re: Work absences waived for Naturalisation?

Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 2:12 pm
by blinkhouse
Thank you all.

I just revised my days away as I over counted slightly. So my total is 108 days is the last year. over the 5 years prior I was only away for a total of 94 days so that makes 202 days over the last 5 years. I don't yet have an appointment but I am aware of the rule that you need to be present in the uk on that same day the previous year. I also have my own Limited Company registered in the UK which is how I conduct my work, and all of my assets are in the UK. Unfortunately I am not yet on the property market, so can't count on this.

Again thank you all for your help.

Re: Work absences waived for Naturalisation?

Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 4:05 pm
by blinkhouse
Reading through Annex B (thanks RRSB2012) it states:

Total absences of more than 100 days but not more than 180
days where the residence requirements over the full 5(3) year
qualifying period are met - consider disregarding if applicants
have demonstrated links through the presence here of family,
an established home and a substantial part of their estate.


My wife is living here also on ILR and her parents are both British citizens, naturalised several years ago. Surely this helps. Does anyone know a good London based solicitor who may be able to help my case?

Thank you all.

Re: Work absences waived for Naturalisation?

Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 4:24 pm
by CR001
alterhase58 wrote:
CR001 wrote:... A pint to note is that the fee is dropping slightly on 6th April.
Acvcording to this https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... pr2017.pdf
the fee has gone up £46. :?:
Then it must be that the fee I looked at was the one excluding the ceremony fee. Apologies