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.