A new rule (where periods of research outside the UK are not counted against the limit on absences) originally only applied to Skilled Worker/ Tier 2 visa holders working as researchers or lecturers, but now also applies to Global Talent/ Tier 1 Exceptional Talent/ Promise visa holders endorsed in science or under the UKRI endorsed funder scheme.
A stricter limit on absences from the UK applies under the 10 year ‘Long residence’ ILR route.
Only whole days are counted
Only full days outside the UK are counted against the 180-day limit. For example, travelling on Monday to a conference held outside the UK on Tuesday and returning to the UK on Wednesday would only be counted as one day’s absence from the UK.
Counting absences
The Home Office changed the way absences are counted in January 2018 but this change is not retrospective.
- Absences under visas issued before 11 January 2018 – The 180 days limit is counted in 12 month blocks counting back from when the ILR application is submitted. This can make it possible in some cases to split longer absences across two successive 12 month periods.
- Absences under visas issued after 11 January 2018 – The new rule introduced on 11 January 2018 states that the 180 days limit must instead be counted in rolling 12 month periods. This prevents longer absences being split across two successive periods.
More detail on how Home Office caseworkers count absences when assessing ‘continuous residence’ in ILR applications is found in Home Office guidance.
If an applicant thinks they are near or over the 180 day limit they should contact SIT to discuss further.
Contact our Immigration Advisers
For expert advice regarding the requirements for settlement in the UK as a Global Talent migrant, contact our immigration advisers on 0208 638 5532 or complete our enquiry form.
