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British Citizenship application - 450 days rule and Study Abroad

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 9:30 pm
by jailedmovement
In few weeks time, it will be 12 months since I obtained my settled status under the EU settlement scheme.

Therefore, I am planning to make an application for British Citizenship but have been outside the UK for 470 days in the last 5 years, which is more than the allowed 450 days. However, 300 days of those 470 days I spent on my compulsory Erasmus year abroad as part of my degree at a UK university.

So my question is - would Home Office consider not including those "year abroad" days if I provide all the evidence of that Erasmus exchange and explain that it was part of my degree?

Thank you for your time!

Re: British Citizenship application - 450 days rule and Study Abroad

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 10:43 pm
by alterhase58
There are no exemptions for absence disclosure for work or study, but there is some scope for discretion.
Refer to Page 10 of the AN Guidance: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... ooklet.pdf
Quote:
"Total number of absences normally disregarded - 480 days"
It's probably a good idea to explain why you have been absent more than the 450 days.

Re: British Citizenship application - 450 days rule and Study Abroad

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 2:02 pm
by jailedmovement
Thank you for this!