Maximum days/months stay outside UK w/o losing spouse visa?

[dime6]

Can anyone help me? I am an asian and married to a British citizen wife 2 years ago as a dependent/spouse visa and living together here in the UK since then. I have read the rule as an Indefinite leave to remain or ILR holder a person cannot stay outside the UK for more than 2 years or this may lead to the loss of ILR. In my situation I am holding a dependent/spouse visa. My question is what is the valid maximum days or months can I stay outside the UK without worrying that my dependent/spouse visa could not be loss? Can I leave the UK temporarily up to 6 months maybe 1 year or 2 years without losing spouse visa? If I have a five years route to ILR does it count all the months that I am outside the UK to complete my 5 year route before applying ILR and then citizenship?

[MPH80]

Assuming you're on the 5 year path to settlement - not the old 2 year one ...

You cannot apply for an extension of your spouse visa from outside of the UK - so, in theory, the maximum you could stay away for would be 2.5 years.

However, when you apply you signal an intent to live together in the UK. If you both relocate outside of the UK and then attempt to extend - you're breaking the spirit of it and there's a chance of refusal there. You also have to keep in mind that you have to re-qualify under the financial arrangements on the extension - which requires substantial savings or a UK based income.

In terms of citizenship - there are strict day limits which you can read up on.

M.

[CR001]

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