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Hello All,

I'm on a skilled worker visa and about to submit my ILR application. During COVID-19, i have spent a few month aboard. My overall absence for any 12 month is within 180 days but more than 160 days. Since i worked remotely during that period, my employer's letter didn't listed those days as my holidays and confirmed my continued employment (but not explicitly mentioned my working from a different country is approved). In this case, do i need to prepare any additional document to explain the situation?

Thank you!

FYI, the ~160 days of absence is made by a 2 months absence, back to uk for 6 months, and a 3 months absence after that. According to this: https://www.immigrationboards.com/viewt ... p?t=348310, Will I or my sponsor face any trouble? Thank you!

I do not see a problem as such arrangements were OK during COVID

zimba wrote: ↑

Tue May 13, 2025 3:30 pm

I do not see a problem as such arrangements were OK during COVID

Thank you so much Zimba!
do i need to put anything specific to explain this absense? shall I mention COVID or just list it as a regular business related absence?

Hello,

I requested SAR a few weeks ago in the preparation of ILR application. From their record, there is a 4 day travel i cannot recognise. It could be a bought air ticket but didn't travel at last. I checked my passport, there are no stamps and also other evidences showing i was in UK during that period. In this case, shall i just ignore this or explain it with a cover letter?

Thank you!

You can mention COVID but your absences are within the limits.

The UKVI operates an e-border system that requires advanced passenger information to be provided by airlines. The SAR shows any immigration data the UKVI have on your file, which also includes this data. So if you bought tickets but then did not travel, this still could end up on your SAR.

They may ignore this when cross-checking it with actual UK border entry records, when calculating your absences. You can explain this in a cover letter, but there should be no ill effect

thank you Zimba!

Hello Zimba,

The day of my 28 days prior to 5 years is 22nd May. Do you think it's OK if I submit the application right now but book the bio enrolment on 22nd May? I'm asking because i have a international travel end of May, I will pay 24hr fast track anyway but still hope to get the decision as early as possible just in case i cannot find a slot in time if submitting on 22nd May. Your advise is very much appreciated!

Thank you

Yes, you can

See: Applicants can benefit from the date of the ILR decision

My ILR application is approved. Thank you Zimba!

Congratulations