I have been trying to find a UK tax specialist in Dubai but it seems to be harder than expected.
I am definitely classed as non resident, that is not an issue. The taxation part becomes an issue because as soon as you return to the UK my understanding is that you are then classed as resident. The provident fund can take a good few weeks to be received and by then I would be classed as UK resident and liable for tax on earnings in the 20/21 tax year. You are correct that I can apply for a split tax year, but that would just cover earnings outside the UK until the date I repatriated. Having spoken to a Mondial rep they said that HMRC could well declare the provident fund as income liable for tax since it arrives after I return to the UK.
There must be other people in the past repatriated to the UK with a similar situation re the provident fund payment.
Why specifically the 6 October? I am obviously missing something......