Citizenship and the 450 days limit

[pkirklewski]

Hi there,
I'm reading that there is requirement to spend no more than 450 days outside of the country during last 5 years if you want to apply for the British Citizenship.
I'm an IT consultant, I'm permanently employed in the UK but I'm flying outside of the country on weekends and holidays. How forgiving this system is please ?
Will they just blindly look at the days, even if they were days free of work ?
What if the company has sent me over to Germany for several weeks ?
Why would then not look at my employment record ?
I bet there are other people in IT that are travelling abroad extensively ? Should that work against us as well ?

[CR001]

Topic moved to the correct forum (not sure why you posted in the 'claiming benefits' sub forum).

Hi there,
I'm reading that there is requirement to spend no more than 450 days outside of the country during last 5 years if you want to apply for the British Citizenship.
I'm an IT consultant, I'm permanently employed in the UK but I'm flying outside of the country on weekends and holidays. How forgiving this system is please ? It is not 'forgiving'. You are dealing with citizenship laws and not immigration rules. For absence, you don't count day of departure and day of arriving back in the UK. You only count whole days out.

Will they just blindly look at the days, even if they were days free of work ? Absence limit is ALL absence, regardless of whether you are employed or not. Makes no difference.

What if the company has sent me over to Germany for several weeks ? Will be included in your total absence allowance.

Why would then not look at my employment record ? Employment is not mandatory for citizenship so not sure in what context you are asking this. ALL absences count, there is no distinction between holidays or work absence, except if in the Army or similar.

I bet there are other people in IT that are travelling abroad extensively ? Should that work against us as well ? Possibly, possibly not. Many people who aspire to apply for citizenship make sure they know what the requirements are and stick within them. Citizenship is not a right and you have to prove to HO that you meet ALL the requirements to be granted the privilege of British Citizenship.

[noajthan]

Hi there,
I'm reading that there is requirement to spend no more than 450 days outside of the country during last 5 years if you want to apply for the British Citizenship.
I'm an IT consultant, I'm permanently employed in the UK but I'm flying outside of the country on weekends and holidays. How forgiving this system is please ?
Will they just blindly look at the days, even if they were days free of work ?
What if the company has sent me over to Germany for several weeks ?
Why would then not look at my employment record ?
I bet there are other people in IT that are travelling abroad extensively ? Should that work against us as well ?

There is an element of discretion but applicants for privilege of citizenship are expected to demonstrate a degree of commitment to life in UK;
HO assess this partly based on past behaviour, including absence record.

Read the AN guidance.

[RRSB2012]

Hi,

In addition to answers by Char and Noajthan, I would add is that as per Chapter 18, Annexure B, clause 4.1.1 absences totalling 480 days are normally disregarded.

If absences are in excess of that, then still discretion may be applied. For details please refer to Chapter 18 Annexure B.

Hope this helps.
R