Inquiry about Naturalisation Eligibility

[silanu87]

Subject: Inquiry about Naturalisation Eligibility

Dear Team,

I hope this message finds you all well.

I'm writing to seek clarification regarding my eligibility for Naturalisation. I meet the criteria to apply, but I've been outside the UK for a total of 90 days in the past 12 months due to specific reasons as outlined below:

17th Nov 23 to 10th Dec 23: Holiday
09 Mar 23 to 25th May 23: Paternity leave

I understand that the website specifies the following conditions:

Spending more than 450 days outside the UK in the 5 years before the application
Spending more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months

I have not exceeded the criterion of spending more than 450 days outside the UK in the 5 years before my application. However, I have spent 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months.

Could you please advise if this situation affects my eligibility to apply for citizenship, considering I meet the first criterion?

Additionally, I would appreciate knowing the latest possible date by which I can submit my citizenship application if I've not meet the criteria.

Thank you for your assistance and guidance in this matter.

Kind Regards,

Silanu87

[alterhase58]

If you check the guidance 90 days is the allowance in the 12 months immediately prior to the application:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... bookmark11
And your total is fine too - not sure what the issue is you see?
If it's about paternity leave you spent abroad that's ok.

[contorted_svy]

You have been absent for 100 days if I counted correctly. According to the guidance page 13 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... t_2023.pdf up to 100 days are normally disregarded so you should be OK. If you want to make the total go down you have to wait until the 19-20 March (and not take any other trips), that would make your total go below 90 for the last 12 months before the application. You need to double check you were physically in the UK on the day 5 years before the day you apply. As up to 100 days absences are normally disregarded you can apply now and attach a cover note to specify that you satisfy all other requirements.

[silanu87]

Thank you for the valuable advice fokes. The documents was also helpful. I don't want to take any chances with the £1500 fees I have to pay, safe bet wait till March. So I am qualified.
Yeah, I've been here since 2010, got the ILR in 2020.

Silanu87

[alterhase58]

Good luck - take your time - the application is discretionary so a few months (or even years) delay is no issue.

[contorted_svy]

Thank you for the valuable advice fokes. The documents was also helpful. I don't want to take any chances with the £1500 fees I have to pay, safe bet wait till March. So I am qualified.
Yeah, I've been here since 2010, got the ILR in 2020.

Silanu87

You can start to fill in the application and return to it when you are ready - if you login every 10 weeks your data will be kept on file by UKVI. This will give you time to read well all the questions and give you the confidence.