When to apply for Indefinite Leave to remain?

[MBel]

Hello,

I have been living in the UK since 2006 under the following categories:
- 2006 to 2011: Student Visa
- 2011 to 2013: Post-Study Work
- 2013 to 2016 : Tier 2

My question is when is it better to apply for Indefinite Leave to remain?
I have two options, I can apply in 2016 under the Long Residence route (since I would have been legally residing here for 10 years) but my worry is that I have spent a year abroad as part of my studies during 2009-2010, I lived in Canada. So I am not sure whether this would affect my application.

The second option, is that I wait until I make a new Tier 2 visa from 2016 to 2018 and apply in 2018, as I would have been working under Tier 2 for 5 years, but this option is more time consuming and would imply that I have to stick to the same employer for 5 years...

Which option is the best? Your advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

MBel

[vinny]

If you had a single absence that was longer than six months, then your continuous residence under Long Residence may be broken.