British naturalisation: up to 450 days abroad over five years
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Tuko
The UK’s Home Office limits time spent outside the United Kingdom to 450 days for the five-year route, and to 270 days for the three-year route linked to a British spouse. In the 12 months before an application, a maximum of 90 days abroad is allowed, unless exceptions apply, according to Home Office guidance relayed by Tuko.
Foreigners applying for British citizenship must observe caps on days spent outside the United Kingdom during their period of residence. According to the Form AN guide from the Home Office, the British interior ministry, the standard five-year route generally allows up to 450 days abroad, compared with 270 days for the three-year route, which is reserved for people married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen. These rules apply in particular to Kenyans and other foreigners living in the UK who travel for holidays, work or family visits.
Both routes also impose a limit of 90 days abroad in the 12 months before the application, unless the Home Office grants an exception in certain circumstances. Longer absences may not be counted: up to 480 days on the five-year route, and up to 300 days on the three-year route. They may even be disregarded up to 900 days on five years, or 540 days on three years, if the applicant has established their home and family in the UK and holds a significant part of their assets there.
Beyond 730 days over five years, or 450 days over three years, the Home Office generally expects applicants to have at least seven years' residence in the UK for the five-year route, or four years for the three-year route, barring particular circumstances. For the calculation, only full days spent abroad are counted, with the day of departure and the day of return not included in the total.
