Can I still apply for nationality if I exceed the absence requirements?

Hi, I have been living in the UK for the past 7 years and have the EU settled status. I am considering applying for British citizenship but I have exceeded the 450 days absences from the UK in the past 5 years (about 500 days) mostly because I travelled for work and was also impacted by Covid-19 restrictions when visiting family in 2020 and 2021? Can my application still be considered or do you believe it is pointless to apply? I meet all other requirements.

Public Answer

Thank you for your question. exceeding the allowed absences from the UK can pose challenges in the application for British citizenship. However, each case is unique, and there might be circumstances such as work-related travel or COVID-19-related restrictions impacting your travel as you have mentioned, that could be considered when assessing your application. It’s essential to provide a detailed explanation for the excess absences, highlighting any exceptional circumstances like work commitments or pandemic-related travel restrictions that led to your prolonged time outside the UK. The Home Office has discretionary powers in such cases, and they may consider individual circumstances when deciding on citizenship applications. For more information, please contact us on 02039599123 or click here 

[This question has been successfully answered by our lawyers in a private e-mail]