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Too many days outsside UK due to COVID

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 7:03 pm
by Miguel19
Hi,

I am currently in the process of applying for a british citizenship (have passed the life in the UK test) and I am worried that it could be rejected due to too many days outside of the UK.
Since March 2020 i have spent 516 outside of the UK. Most of those days 185 (between march and september 2020) and 53 (between december 2020 and january 2021) were due to going back to my parents home during COVID and being unable to return.
I currently have the EU settled status and indefinite leave to remain.
I have a job in the UK as a teacher and I understand I could wait to have the number of days reduced but I am trying to get the citizenship earlier as I am trying to represent team GB in sport.

If anyone has any advice or information that could help me with my application, I would be very grateful

Re: Too many days outsside UK due to COVID

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2025 7:45 pm
by contorted_svy
You can only apply after September 2020 as you were absent from the UK in March 2020. On what day did you leave the UK exactly?

Re: Too many days outsside UK due to COVID

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2025 4:59 pm
by Miguel19
I left on the 18th of march

i did not realise I had to be in the uk at the time of of when the 5 years started. I was in the uk before march for 2 years, would this change anything?

Re: Too many days outsside UK due to COVID

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2025 6:21 pm
by CR001
i did not realise I had to be in the uk at the time of of when the 5 years started.

This is and always has been, a mandatory requirement.
I was in the uk before march for 2 years, would this change anything?
Totally irrelevant.

Re: Too many days outsside UK due to COVID

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2025 6:34 pm
by Miguel19
ok thank you

Re: Too many days outsside UK due to COVID

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2025 9:17 pm
by contorted_svy
Miguel19 wrote:
Wed Mar 19, 2025 4:59 pm
I left on the 18th of march

i did not realise I had to be in the uk at the time of of when the 5 years started. I was in the uk before march for 2 years, would this change anything?
This means you can only apply from September this year, on the same day you returned 5 years ago.