Free calculator
The 180-day rule, checked.
Add your trips outside the UK to see how many days you've used in the rolling 12-month window, and whether you're within the limit that protects your ILR.
This tool provides guidance only. Always consult a licensed immigration advisor for official advice.
The 180-day absence rule, explained
To settle in the UK you need continuous residence, and for most routes that means no more than 180 days spent outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period of your qualifying time. Go over that in a single 12-month window and you can break the continuous residence your ILR depends on, resetting the clock.
Rolling window, not calendar year
The limit applies to any 365-day window, not January-to-December. That's the part most people get wrong: two shorter trips in different calendar years can still fall inside the same rolling window and count together. This calculator measures against the worst 12-month window, the way the Home Office does.
What counts as a day of absence
Whole days spent outside the UK. The day you leave and the day you return don't count, only the full days abroad in between. Once you have your absence picture, work out your ILR eligibility date →
Questions people ask
How many days can I be outside the UK and still qualify for ILR?
For most routes, no more than 180 days of absence in any rolling 12-month period of your qualifying time. It's measured over any 365-day window, not the calendar year, so trips near a year boundary can still add up together.
Does the day I fly out count as an absence?
No. By the ILR convention, the day you leave the UK and the day you return don't count as days of absence, only whole days spent outside the UK in between. This calculator applies that rule for you.
What happens if I go over 180 days?
A single absence over 180 days in a 12-month window can break your continuous residence and reset your settlement clock. If you're close to the limit, it's worth planning trips carefully and, for anything consequential, checking with a regulated adviser.
Is it the calendar year or a rolling window?
A rolling 12-month window. The Home Office looks at any 365-day period, so two shorter trips in different calendar years can still fall inside the same rolling window and count together. That's the part most people miss.