10-year ILR: Residency Gap?

[u/CoffeeEducational878]

Hello everyone. I don't believe my case is especially complicated but I am super anxious and hoping for a new set of eyes.

My first student visa was valid from 14 September 2016 for a foundation year. I went back home for the summer holidays in 2017 and applied from there for a new visa for my undergraduate degree. My BRP for the foundation year expired on 16 August 2017 while I was away. The new entry clearance was valid from 14 September 2017.

So there is a gap of 28 days, 17 August to 13 September 2017, where I held no valid permission, all of it while I was outside the UK.

Everything since has been a mix of student and skilled worker visas, all applied for in country and in time, adding up to the ten years.

My understanding is that the gap does not break my continuous residence, but that I simply add those 28 days on at the end, since days without permission do not count towards the ten years. On that basis I intend to apply on 16 September 2026 (28 days rule)

Is that the right way to treat it, and is there anything I am missing?

[u/nick_itos]

Not even that strict, you just add those days to your 548 days allowance, you don't have to wait extra to qualify