Hi All,
I have been living in the UK for almost 10 years first under Tier 2 ICT, then Tier 1 Entrepreneur, now on Tier 2 General. I want to apply for ILR under 10 year continuous residence this April. However, I have been out of the country more than 540 days over 10 years, mostly because of short business trips. I've not lived anywhere else nor have had absences greater than two months. In total, I have been out of the country around 680 days, with around 300 days for business trips. If I deduct the business trips, I would have been out of the country for 380 days, under the 540 day limit.
I've had conflicting advice from solicitors. I spoke to one solicitor who said I will likely be granted an exception. She said I need to have my employers write letters for me stating the travel was mandatory for business purposes and the company paid all my expenses.
Another solicitor I spoke to said that exceptions used to be easy for business travel, but are much harder now. She said that it was unlikely I will be granted an exception for business travel.
Can someone give me their view? What do you think my chances are? Any recent cases where this type of exception has been granted? I know that exceptions have been granted when applying after a 5 year Tier 1 or 2 visa. I am looking for any exceptions granted applying through the 10 year continuous residence route.
Thank you in advance!