Please help :(

[markotsg]

Hello I would like to apply for HSMP visa from Australia.

If I get the visa, how long can you be away from UK not to effect visa?
Once I go to UK I might have to go back to visit family in Australia for a months o two

Thanks Alll

[jd]

I think this has been discussed couple of time. you can search in the forum.

[bergdorf]

I think you can stay out of the UK for about 3 months at a time. However, if you plan on applying for Settlement (ILR) your total time out of the UK (when you apply) can't be greater than 6 months.

From the Under 28 Guidance Notes:
68. If you have been granted permission to stay in the United Kingdom as a Highly Skilled Migrant for a total of five years and wish to remain in the United Kingdom on a permanent basis you can apply at the end of the five-year period for permanent residence. This is otherwise known as indefinite leave or settlement. The main criteria for settlement will be that you have spent a continuous period of five years in the UK (except for trips abroad of three months or less, totalling less than six months in the five-year period) in a category leading to settlement. You must also be able to demonstrate that you can continue to be economically active in the UK as a highly skilled migrant.

[markotsg]

I think you can stay out of the UK for about 3 months at a time. However, if you plan on applying for Settlement (ILR) your total time out of the UK (when you apply) can't be greater than 6 months.

From the Under 28 Guidance Notes:
68. If you have been granted permission to stay in the United Kingdom as a Highly Skilled Migrant for a total of five years and wish to remain in the United Kingdom on a permanent basis you can apply at the end of the five-year period for permanent residence. This is otherwise known as indefinite leave or settlement. The main criteria for settlement will be that you have spent a continuous period of five years in the UK (except for trips abroad of three months or less, totalling less than six months in the five-year period) in a category leading to settlement. You must also be able to demonstrate that you can continue to be economically active in the UK as a highly skilled migrant.

Would this meen every year you can be away from UK fro 3 months?

[windmill]

what this means is at a stretch not more than 3 months and TOTALLING to less than 6 months in 5 years. In short, you get 6 months in 5 years to be out of the UK - use them as you want: 6 in one shot; 2+2+2; 1+1+1+1+2 or whatever takes your fancy.

[markotsg]

what this means is at a stretch not more than 3 months and TOTALLING to less than 6 months in 5 years. In short, you get 6 months in 5 years to be out of the UK - use them as you want: 6 in one shot; 2+2+2; 1+1+1+1+2 or whatever takes your fancy.

During the five-year period you must not have been outside the United Kingdom for more than 450 days (about 15 months); and
During the last 12 months of the five-year period you must not have been outside the UK for more than 90 days

http://www.workpermit.com/uk/naturalisation.htm#s1

Does this mean you can be away 15 months in total for 5 years?