How to calculate the number of days spent abroad for permanent residence in the UK? Which day is considered departure and which day is considered arrival?

Note the key word - "any". This is not calculated based on the visa anniversary, nor is it calculated based on the calendar year (January to December), but rolling window (rolling 12 months) . Home Office will pull out every possible 12-month period in your 5 years and check it. As long as any period exceeds 180 days, continuous residence will be considered terminated.

Example: You are out for 100 days from October 2025 to March 2026, and another 90 days in June 2026. It's not exceeded when viewed separately, but counting 12 months from October 2025, the two periods add up to 190 days - it is exceeded. This is the "invisible trap" of rolling windows.

How to count the number of days of permanent residence abroad? Does the day of departure and entry count?

This is where most people get it wrong. Official definition: is only considered a "departure day" on the day when you are outside the country for a full 24 hours from midnight to midnight.

so:

🛫 The day leaves the country is considered "in the country" - because you were still in the UK for part of that day.
🛬 is also considered "in the country" on the day of entry - no matter whether you land at 6 am or 11 pm, as long as you return to the UK on the same day, it will count.

To give a specific example: I flew away on January 1st and came back on January 10th. There was a gap of 10 days, but the actual departure days counted were January 2nd to January 9th, and there were only 8 days in and . The first and last two days are not counted. Don’t underestimate this difference. A few miscalculations a year can add up to an error of dozens of days.

The visa is valid but you haven’t entered the country? Beware of the "late arrival gap" for permanent residence

This pit is very hidden. Your qualification period starts from the visa effective date , not the day you actually land.

For example, if your visa takes effect on March 1st and you fly to the UK on March 20th - then the 19 days from March 1st to March 19th will be directly counted towards your departure days. Many people came a week or two late in the first year due to work handovers and domestic affairs, and as a result, nearly one-third of their quota was consumed at the beginning. So after getting your visa, try to enter the country as early as possible.

Will I be rejected if I leave the country for more than 180 days? What to do about exceptions

Not necessarily, but the threshold is high. If the expiration date is due to "serious or compelling reasons" (serious or compelling reasons) - such as serious illness, death of an immediate family member, sudden natural disaster, epidemic blockade, etc., you can submit evidence to apply for approval as appropriate. However, this is an "exception channel" that requires sufficient written proof (hospital records, death certificates, etc.) and cannot be exempted by just asking for leave.

Another reminder: if you are taking the 10-year Long Residence path and have accumulated more than 548 days before April 11, 2024, or a single departure exceeds 184 days, the old transition rules will apply; departures after April 11 will be unified into the 180-day rolling window. This area is relatively complex, and it is recommended to calculate it separately for special circumstances.

Is the 5-year permanent residence path still available in 2026?

exist. As of today (July 2026), the rumored "Earned Settlement" (extended to 10 years) has not yet become law, and no new Immigration Rules have been implemented, and implementation may be delayed until early 2027. The current 5-year Skilled Worker-to-Permanent Residence path is still fully effective, and the 180-day rolling rule is also expected to be retained under both the old and new systems. Therefore, friends who are queuing up, just follow the existing rules and play slowly, and don't be distracted by gossip.

For things like the number of days to leave the country, it is most likely to make mistakes if you rely on your brain or your fingers to count. Use 永居计算器 APP to enter the date of each entry and exit, and it can automatically calculate the date according to the rolling window. It will remind you in advance which 12-month interval is about to cross the line, which is much more reliable than flipping the passport and stamping it yourself. If you are unsure about complex situations, you can also ask our licensed lawyers on WeChat.

[Data source] GOV.UK Continuous Residence Guidance (updated on 2026-06-05); GOV.UK Skilled Worker ILR: Time in the UK. This article is for reference only. Please consult a licensed attorney for specific questions.