ILR Absences: How the 180-Day Rule Works

To get Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), you usually need a period of continuous residence in the UK. Spending too long abroad during that time can break it and delay your settlement. The main limit is the 180-day rule. This guide explains how it works. For the full list of ILR requirements, see our ILR overview guide.

The basic rule

For most routes, you must not be outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during your qualifying years. If you go over, your continuous residence can be treated as broken, which may reset your clock toward settlement.

Rolling, not fixed years

For permission granted on or after 11 January 2018, absences are counted on a rolling basis. This means the Home Office can look at any 12-month window, not just fixed calendar years or visa years. So you cannot "reset" your days simply because a new year has started.

If your permission was granted before that date, the calculation is different — check the specific guidance for your dates on gov.uk.

How days are counted

• Only whole days outside the UK count. A part-day absence of less than 24 hours is not counted.
• Most reasons count the same, including holidays, work trips, and time off for illness, pregnancy, maternity, paternity or adoption.
• The days you leave and return may be treated in a particular way, so keep exact dates.

Practical tips

• Keep a travel log — record every trip in and out of the UK with dates. You will need this when you apply.
• Check before long trips — before booking a long stay abroad, add up your absences across the rolling year so you do not go over 180 days by accident.
• Know the exemptions — in some serious or compelling situations, an absence over 180 days may still be accepted, but this is not automatic.

Staying under the limit and keeping good records is one of the simplest ways to protect your path to settlement.