IRL

Hello,

I have had Visa sponsorship (Tier 2) since 2013. This visa will expire in 2016 and hopefully the company renews this until 2018. If I meet the minimum period (5 years) of stay within the UK, I will be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in 2018. During the qualifying period, I should not be away from the UK more than 180 days within 12 consecutive months of each year.

As of next month I may be based outside of the UK for 5 months and 3 months each different continent due to the nature of the project where I will be engaged. After that, I return to the UK. My questions are as can be seen below.

1. is there any exceptional for more than 180 days absence as the company asks me to do so?

2. What happens if I go over more than 180 days and thereby my application for IRL is not successful in 2018? Would I be forced to leave the UK?

3. Is there possibility that the company can't renew my visa in 2016 when it has expired if I go over more than 180 days?

Many thanks,
Tae