Excess of absences

[patrika1979]

I first come into the UK in April 2013.
I've got ILR under the Settlement Scheme since Jan 2020.
Previously I held the Permanent Residence acquired in April 2018 after 5 years continuous residence.
I'm considering apply for the British Citizenship but I have over 900 absences in the last 5 years - from 2018 until now May 2022.
I wonder which 5 years should HM consider - the one when I had Permanent Residence or the one immediately prior the application.
Could anyone help me answer this question, please?

[CR001]

For citizenship,it is the 5 years immediately prior to applying that counts as the qualifying residence period.

You cannot choose a 5 year period way back in the past for citizenship as a qualifying period.

[patrika1979]

Thanks for your reply. Do you think I could ask HM to exercise discretion due pandemic in this case?

[alterhase58]

Thanks for your reply. Do you think I could ask HM to exercise discretion due pandemic in this case?

Have you reviewed the guidance on absences?
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... rom-the-uk

[patrika1979]

Thanks for the link. According to that applications with absences over 900 are unlikely to be accepted. Found another link mentioning pandemic but it is relevant for absences below 900

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... retion.pdf