Post
by goglobalnz » Wed Jul 23, 2014 4:32 pm
Hi Tiger,
I'd be very interested to hear how you get on, although I think you will have trouble if you were out of the country more than 180 days between 14 August 2012 and 13 August 2013, or between 14 August 2013 and 13 August 2014. You'll need to double check those periods.
The guidance is (somewhat) clear that being out of the country for work for more than 180 days, even for a UK company, is not up to the case worker's discretion and they should refuse.
I am in a similar situation, having worked in West Africa for a mining company for a couple of years, exceeding the allowance.
I have spoken recently with someone else who was in a similar situation. He applied in Croydon, and was initially refused the extension. However, he elected to fight his case and appealed the decision and was eventually granted ILR.
Please post back any further information you find out, or your experiences. Where are you applying?