I am outside of the UK and unable to return. I am worried that my excess absences as a result will be an issue for my upcoming indefinite leave to remain and/or naturalisation application. What should I do?

There is now limited reference within the Naturalisation guidance to exercising discretion where ‘excess absences were because the applicant was unable to return to the UK because of global pandemic’. There is not yet reference to this within other guidance documents applicable to indefinite leave to remain applications.

It is likely that the Home Office will exercise discretion if you are physically unable to return to the UK, but it is important that you gather evidence of this, where available. If you are able to return to the UK, however, you should seek to do so as soon as possible.

If you are concerned about your absences, you should seek specialist advice from Latitude Law about this.