ILR Application: Leniency for 180-Day Absence Limit Due to COVID-19?

[gaurav1512]

Hi All,
I am currently on a PBS Dependent Visa, which is valid until August 2025. I will be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in February 2025, as I will have completed the required 5 years of residence in the UK.

Below is my travel history outside UK:
Trips Date Purpose Days Outside UK
1 28-Feb-20 Entry to UK 225
12-Mar-20 Travel to India
23-Oct-20 Return to UK
2 6-Feb-22 Travel to India 16
22-Feb-22 Return to UK
3 18-Feb-23 Travel to India 11
1-Mar-23 Return to UK
I exceeded the 180-day absence limit in 2020 due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions. Specifically, I returned to the UK on 23 October 2020 via a repatriation flight from India (Vande Bharat Mission) facilitated by the Indian government, resulting in an overstay of 45 days.

Questions:
1. Given the impact of COVID-19 travel restrictions, is there any possibility for the UK Home Office to show leniency regarding the 180-day absence limit in my ILR application? Considering I'm over 45 days.

2. What supporting documents or evidence should I provide to strengthen my application for 180 days absence due to COVID?

3. Are there any such similar cases known where ILR was approved.

Looking forward for the guidance and support. Many thanks in advance.

[zimba]

Any discretion is up to the UKVI, so we cannot know what they view as acceptable when applying discretion. Provide whatever evidence you have and ask for discretion.