apllication for ILR

[shiny]

Hi !
I am in the process of applying for ILR. I got HSMP visa in Feb 07 but I entered UK after 7 weeks in mid April Subsequently my Visa was upgraded to FLR in Feb 09 my visa is expiring by the end of Feb 2012. During my stay in UK after entering in April 07 in last 5 years I have been outside the country for nearly 220 days , most of the time on annual leave and a month or so due to personal reasons. I have never been outside for >50 days at one time . Could you please advise me whether I should apply for ILR or just extension

Thanks

[man4uni]

Hi Shiny!

The applicant must not leave the UK for more than 180 days in total during the five years and not for more than 90 days in one trip. Since you have stayed around 220 days, its quite possible you have to go through Extension.

[LaurenN]

Is there really a restriction on the number of total days you can out of the country over the 5 year period? I was aware of the 90 consecutive days restriction, but have never heard of this other criteria before.

I am just applying for my first Tier 1 extension so after this as expired i will qualify for ILR (or so I hope) but to think I only have 180 days over the 5 years for which to travel is sightly alarming. I mean, if I go home to Australia I usually go for 4 weeks ... that works out to be almost my annual allocation from the 180 days..... scary!!!