Hello,
I'm Polish citizen, and used to live in Uk between feb 2012 and march 2017 (full 5 years), and before I left UK, I have applied for a permanent residency, which I received.
Then I left UK and moved to USA. I came back to UK after 18 months on October 2018 for just 2 weeks, and I was working for 9 working days during those 2 weeks.
Then I left UK again, this time to Poland (UE), and came back to UK again on January 2019, intending to stay here.
To sum up:
February 2012- March 2017 living in UK
March 2017 - October 2018 living outside UK
October 2018 - Living in UK just for 2 weeks (and working)
October 2018 - January 2019 - living outside UK but in EU (Poland)
January 2019 - came back in UK to settle down
As I was outside UK for less than 2 years, I did not lose my permanent residency.
The government website is not really clear about 450 days rule.
It says, in order to receive a permanent residency, I can not be more than 450 days outside UK during these five years, and in order to receive a citizenship I need to hold my permanent residency for another one year.
It does not say clear, what happens if I was outside UK for over 450 days, but less than 2 years, after I hold my permanent residency.
So, which option is right ?
1) I still hold my permanent residency, even if I was outside UK for about 20 months out of last 2 years, and I can apply for a citizenship right now.
2) I still hold my permanent residency, but as I lived in UK just for about one month since I received it, I need to live here for another one year in order to apply for a citizenship, even if I did not live in UK for almost 2 years, but less than 2 years since I have received my residency.
3) I lost my chance for a citizenship, as I was outside UK for over 450 days, even if it was already after I have received a permanent residency card, and even if it was less than 2 years outside. I hold my permanent residency, but need to live in UK for another 5 years in order to apply for a citizenship.
I appreciate the answers. Who should I call, or ask to find the answer? I realize that if I call some government institution, they are not going to have an idea what's the answer.
- FAQ
- Login
- Register
- Call Workpermit.com for a paid service +44 (0)344-991-9222




