Seeking Advice on ILR Application After Breaching 180-Day

[qummer_arfeen]

I have been working as a Data Manager at an institute since June 2019. Due to COVID-19, the institution allowed me to work from home in Pakistan, causing me to breach the 180-day stay clause. I am now planning to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). I have been paying taxes since 2019. What are my chances of success in obtaining ILR? Should I proceed with my application?

Please share your thoughts or guidance.

[zimba]

Any discretion is up to the UKVI as there is no hard and fast rule on this. You normally do not qualify and you will have to seek discretion to be applied in your case. There is no guarantee that such discretion will be exercised

[vinny]

See also Travel disruption due to a natural disaster, military conflict or pandemic

You should confirm, using publicly available and credible sources, that there was a natural disaster, military conflict or pandemic at the relevant time which caused travel disruption. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice pages on GOV.UK may be helpful to confirm this.

You should normally expect the applicant to provide evidence of how their ability to travel to the UK was affected, for example, evidence of disruption to planned travel arrangements.

Be polite and concise in your covering letter.

[vinny]

Note that remote working outside the UK on its own may not be an exemption.