How long can I stay out of the country before it affects ILR

[chidol4u]

Hello,

I work for a UK company and I have just applied to change to their offshore contract which means that I will be offshore while I'm working for the company and don't need to come into the office when I'm not working.I'm contracted to work 6 months out of 12 a year.I still get paid my basic salary for the other 6 months while I'm at home.Most of my offshore assignments will also be outside UK waters

I am thinking of spending more time in my home country which is outside the EU and was wondering how this will affect my ILR after I have been resident in the UK for 5 years.My salary will continue to be paid in the UK so I effectively still get taxed here.I am contemplating moving out of my currently rented flat as I plan to spend a better part of my free 6 months somwhere cheaper to live and where I have more things to do.

Can anyone please advice me on what to avoid so that I don't jeopardise my chances of being able to apply for ILR after 5 years.I plan to eventually have my family settle here and don't want to ruin those chances for things I'm doing in the short term.I am currently in the first year of my Tier 1.I have lived in the UK for 4.5 years now having studied for my masters in the first and stayed on on a post-study work visa after my 1 year masters study.

[vinny]

Section 6A - Points-based system, tier 1 settlement guidance.