Who it applies to
Applicants reviewing the absence component of UK naturalisation.
UK citizenship — five-year absences
The general UK naturalisation route normally allows up to 450 absence days over the five-year required residence period.
Check your own dates: UK citizenship — five-year absences calculator →
Summary
- Day rule / reminder
- 450 full days • last 5 years
- Window
- Last 5 years
- What the tool measures
- The recorded-day component
- Official reference
- UK naturalisation guidance ↗
The general UK naturalisation route normally allows up to 450 absence days over the five-year required residence period.
The rule
Also review the separate 90-day final-year limit. Departure and arrival dates are excluded; discretion and other residence conditions remain separate.
Counting the days
Departure and return dates do not count.
- Choose the date through which you want to count, then add your recorded visits.
- Use the counting convention above. Include recorded trips abroad and returns home, so the tool can distinguish separate absences.
- Read the result alongside the conditions. Missing records and other eligibility requirements are not inferred from a total.
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
A separate limit of 90 days outside the UK during the final year also applies, together with other residence, immigration status and character requirements. 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?
The general UK naturalisation route normally allows up to 450 absence days over the five-year required residence period.
Which counting window does this tool use?
Last 5 years. Departure and return dates do not count.
What else should I check before relying on the total?
A separate limit of 90 days outside the UK during the final year also applies, together with other residence, immigration status and character requirements. 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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