Tier 1 extension and spending time out of the UK (over 180d)

[maggyfu1]

Hi Everyone,

Just extended my Tier 1 General last week and all went smoothly. But i am looking at spending more time out of the UK as i am self employed and my business needs me to spend considerable time abroad and i think this will be around 270 days per year.

As far as i know this shouldnt impact any Tier 1 General extensions but i asked one solicitor and he told me that there is a limitation on how much time you can spend outside the UK even on Tier 1 general. Is this true? I last had a Tier 1 General (for the first time as I switched from HSMP) in Oct 2009 and just extended it by another 2yrs since i spent the past 18mnths out of the UK and therefore dont qualify for ILR.

So just wanted to check with you guys if this solicitor is indeed right and i wont be able to extend the visa in 2 years time as i will spend so much time away?

ANy clarification would be appreciated

cheers
Maggy

[geriatrix]

i asked one solicitor and he told me that there is a limitation on how much time you can spend outside the UK even on Tier 1 general. Is this true?

No.

[maggyfu1]

Hi Sushdmehta,

Thanks for your reply.

cheers
Maggy

[sujyo]

I got my Tier 1 general in Oct 2009 valid till Oct 2012. I went India in March 2010 and came back UK in Feb 2012. My extension was due in Oct and I did it in sept.

I showed 7 months in UK as income and 5 months from India and everything went smoothly.

Only Problem is I may not qualify for ILR.

[maggyfu1]

Hi Sujyo,

thanks for your reply. Same story here, hopefully it will be safe to re-extend the Tier 1 again but basically my 5 year clock is reset now i guess!