Many friends who study or work in the UK, as well as parents of international students, are confused about how to calculate the ten-year permanent residence. This article will explain the key points of the new policy in depth. Help you quickly understand and prepare to apply for the ten-year permanent residence.

The new policy has clear provisions for ten years of continuous legal residence

If your ten-year period starts before April 11, 2024 and ends after April 11, 2024.

Then, the departure regulations before April 11, 2024 are:

• A single absence may not exceed 184 days.
• The total absence may not exceed 548 days.

The departure rules after April 11, 2024 are relatively relaxed:

• The number of absences in any 12 months shall not exceed 180 days.
• There is no longer a 548-day limit on the total number of days.

The new policy also considers visa connection issues

As long as you successfully renew your visa within 184 days after the expiration of your current visa, your visa will be considered continuous and uninterrupted.

Case Study

Background:

A parent came to consult: My daughter is studying in the UK, and will study for an undergraduate degree from September 2021 to April 2023. (Due to the impact of the epidemic in the first year, she took online courses in China). From September 2023 to December 2024, she will complete her master's degree in the UK. She plans to continue her doctoral studies in May 2025. From September 2021 to April 2024, the cumulative time she has returned to China has been nearly one year and two months. The longest time she left the UK was on March 24, 2023, and she returned to the UK on September 24.

Parents’ demands:

• Can I return to China during my doctoral studies?
• Will returning to China during the period between master’s graduation and doctoral enrollment affect my permanent residency application

Starjet analysis:

This student meets the application requirements for ten-year permanent residence.

First, before April 2024, her cumulative absence from the country did not exceed 548 days, and her single absence did not exceed 184 days. Secondly, the interval between her master's graduation and her doctoral enrollment was no more than 184 days, and her visa was not interrupted.

Most importantly, the departure time after April 2024 is not counted in the previous 548-day total limit.Therefore, as long as she successfully completes her doctoral studies and successfully renews her PSW or other visa. She is fully eligible to apply for ten-year permanent residence.

This case tells us that the key to understanding the new policy is:

*Distinguish the different regulations before and after April 11, 2024. Plan your departure time reasonably to ensure visa continuity.

It is also worth noting that permanent residence has time limits for leaving the country.

General restrictions: A single absence from the country cannot exceed 2 years, otherwise the permanent residence status will automatically expire.
New policy warning: From April 11, 2024, the absence time in any consecutive 12 months shall not exceed 180 days.

If you have similar questions, it is recommended to study the details of the new policy carefully. The process of applying for UK permanent residence through the 10-year permanent residence route may be more complicated, especially if there are any gaps in your immigration history or the number of days away from the country exceeds the limit. StarJet Immigration provides professional guidance throughout the application process to ensure that you have the best chance of obtaining permanent residence.