ILR application with number of days of absence exceeding 540

[shweta144]

Hi,

I am currently a PhD student and have been staying in the UK with Tier 4 student visa since 27th of September 2007.

I am planning to apply for an ILR in October 2017. Having calculated the number of absence days, I found out that I have been absent for 728 days.

Most absences are derived from the fact that I have travelled around the world and going back to the home country except few occasions as below:

1. I had to travel to India for summer experience during my 1st year of undergraduate which would help me gain technical skills, useful for my course. (30 days)
2. I had to travel to the USA for an internship during 3rd year which was part of my undergraduate degree. (116 days)
3. I went to Netherlands to take an advanced bachelor course which would help me during my postgraduate degree in the UK. (15 days)
4. I went to a conference in Spain two times during my PhD. (6 days+9 days)
5. I went to a conference in the USA during my PhD.(13 days)

If I write the reasons as stated above with an ILR application would I be able to obtain it?
I am going to argue that with points 1-2 and 4-5, it was inevitable for me not to leave the UK and with point 3 I am going to try to persuade by saying that this travel was for education purpose, not just mere holiday travel.

I would appreciate it if you could give me advice on the issue.

Thanks,
Shweta

[zimba]

Very unlikely that they will be accepted.

[shweta144]

Thanks for the reply. Are there any alternatives that I can try?

[zimba]

Switch to Tier 1 or Tier 2 if you can.