Residence & citizenship

UK citizenship — final-year absences

UK naturalisation normally includes a limit of 90 days outside the country in the year before applying.

Check your own dates: UK citizenship — final-year absences calculator →

Summary

Day rule / reminder
90 full days • last 12 months
Window
Last 12 months
What the tool measures
The recorded-day component

UK naturalisation normally includes a limit of 90 days outside the country in the year before applying.

Who it applies to

Applicants reviewing the absence component of UK naturalisation.

The rule

This is separate from the total absence limit over the required residence period. The relevant route, presence on the starting date, status and discretion must also be reviewed.

Counting the days

Departure and return dates do not count.

  1. Choose the date through which you want to count, then add your recorded visits.
  2. Use the counting convention above. Include recorded trips abroad and returns home, so the tool can distinguish separate absences.
  3. Read the result alongside the conditions. Missing records and other eligibility requirements are not inferred from a total.
Check your dates with the free calculator

Examples

These examples demonstrate the counter's arithmetic, using a count-through date of 30 October 2026. They do not determine legal status or eligibility.

Example 1 — one recorded visit

  • to · France

Recorded result: 8 days

Example 2 — overlapping records

  • to · France
  • to · France

Recorded result: 13 days

Example 3 — two visits with a gap

  • to · France
  • to · France

Recorded result: 12 days

Exceptions & edge cases

The total days outside the UK during the full residence period and other naturalisation requirements must also be checked. The Home Office may allow exceptions. This counter cannot determine eligibility.

Use the official reference for the full conditions and any changes since the source review date shown on this page.

Common misconceptions

“A counter result is the same as permission or eligibility.”

The counter measures recorded dates. Your actual permission, status and other conditions remain separate.

“A new calendar year resets this counter.”

This is a rolling window. Dates leave the window as time moves forward.

Frequently asked questions

What does this rule count?

UK naturalisation normally includes a limit of 90 days outside the country in the year before applying.

Which counting window does this tool use?

Last 12 months. Departure and return dates do not count.

What else should I check before relying on the total?

The total days outside the UK during the full residence period and other naturalisation requirements must also be checked. The Home Office may allow exceptions. This counter cannot determine eligibility.

Where can I read the official requirements?

Read UK naturalisation guidance ↗. The source was last reviewed on .

Keep this count with your travel history.

Follow your recorded days and selected reminders in Untild, alongside your other travel counters.

Get Untild for iPhone ↗

Sources

Source last reviewed: . This is the source review date, not a claim that every legal condition is calculated.

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