"Continuous Period" - how long can I be out the UK

[res1546]

In the section "Indefinite leave to remain on the grounds of United Kingdom ancestry" at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/polic ... les/part5/ which I have quoted in full below, it says "(ii) he has spent a continuous period of 5 years in the United Kingdom in this capacity". But it does not say what "continuous" means. For how long can I go travelling this year? I have been in the UK since the end of 2004 so I am now in my 5th year here (have extended my Ancestry visa once). I want to go travelling for as long as possible while still qualifiying for ILR at the end of the year. Thanks.

I have spoken to a helpful person at the telephone-based immigration advice service who has said that there is no fixed definition. At the one end, two weeks holiday would be considered normal, at the other, 6 months travelling would disqualify me. But can I go travelling for 3 months in Australia and New Zealand? They cannot say...

"Indefinite leave to remain on the grounds of United Kingdom ancestry


192. Indefinite leave to remain may be granted, on application, to a Commonwealth citizen with a United Kingdom born grandparent provided:


(i) he meets the requirements of paragraph 186 (i)-(v); and

(ii) he has spent a continuous period of 5 years in the United Kingdom in this capacity; and

(iii) he has sufficient knowledge of the English language and sufficient knowledge about life in the United Kingdom, unless he is under the age of 18 or aged 65 or over at the time he makes his application."

[vinny]

See also ILR Processing: A CaseWorker's Guide/Manual.

[res1546]

The whole section on Guidance and Immigration Guidance in particular is gold, thank you very much. I had overlooked it.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/polic ... ance/IDIs/