A gap of over 6 months for ILR application

[Rogerxy27]

Hello everyone, I have a question with regards to a gap for the ILR 10 years route.

I have lived in the UK with valid visa for 10 years and plan to apply for ILR next month. However, in 2016 I had a gap of 9 months away from UK due to the placement year as a part of the university course, which was compulsory to proceed with the degree.

Would the Home Office make an exception to my 9 months gap to approve my application? Thank you in advance!

[zimba]

No. There is no such discretion as your continuous lawful residence was broken. You do not qualify for ILR under long residence

[manci]

in 2016 I had a gap of 9 months away from UK due to the placement year as a part of the university course, which was compulsory to proceed with the degree.

Have you not travelled to the UK at all during the 9 months?

[Rogerxy27]

in 2016 I had a gap of 9 months away from UK due to the placement year as a part of the university course, which was compulsory to proceed with the degree.

Have you not travelled to the UK at all during the 9 months?

Unfortunately, I did not travel to UK during the 9 months, but my leave to remain was valid the whole time.

[manci]

Unfortunately, I did not travel to UK during the 9 months, but my leave to remain was valid the whole time

read p 11-12 in the caseworker guidance about exercising discretion:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... gov-uk.pdf

I wonder if being abroad on a placement as part of a university course may be considered a "compelling circumstance"?

[zimba]

Discretion is very rarely exercised under the long residence. Such circumstances must have been totally out of the control of the applicant

[Rogerxy27]

Unfortunately, I did not travel to UK during the 9 months, but my leave to remain was valid the whole time

read p 11-12 in the caseworker guidance about exercising discretion:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... gov-uk.pdf

I wonder if being abroad on a placement as part of a university course may be considered a "compelling circumstance"?

I hope so. I did not find any similar cases so I hope the home office will think this way.

[Rogerxy27]

Discretion is very rarely exercised under the long residence. Such circumstances must have been totally out of the control of the applicant

Thank you for the advice.

[manci]

I had a gap of 9 months away from UK due to the placement year as a part of the university course

Was the 9 month period during the pandemic?

[CR001]

I had a gap of 9 months away from UK due to the placement year as a part of the university course

Was the 9 month period during the pandemic?

The OP ha ls already stated in their first post that his was in 2016.

However, in 2016 I had a gap of 9 months away from UK due to the placement year as a part of the university course,