How long can i be away from UK while on a work permit?
In theory you can be out of the UK for as long as your work permit lasts. After all its not uncommon for someone to be employed on a work permit in the UK but also be sent for work to other countries. However for settlement applications – indefinite leave to remain – they will view any unexplained absences of more than 3 months negatively. Similarly if when you have spent 5 years in the UK and apply for ILR, if you have been out of the UK for a total of 1 or more years out of the previous 5 years (i.e more than 365 days from previous 1825 days), then you will be refused indefinite leave. Its possible you can resolve this by explaining your absences. For a work permit holder a reasonable explanation would be if your employer had sent you to another country as part of your job. Its best to prove this by supplying documentary evidence.
