Can ILR Eligibility period start during absence for Tier 2 PBS dependent

[rubyracer2]

Dear Gurus,

My wife who is on a PBS dependent visa starting in October 2018. She is currently out of the country and will be back only by April or May 2020. Her visa validity (After next extension) will be till April 2025. Since her current absence exceeds 6 months, I wont be able to apply for her ILR in October 2023.

My question is does her 5 year period start only after she returns to the UK or can I count the absence period provided it is lesser than 180 days. E.g. Jan 2020 to Jan 2025 (even though she was out of the country during this time).

Many Thanks in Advance

[zimba]

There is no requirement that the beginning of that period she has to be in the UK

[rubyracer2]

There is no requirement that the beginning of that period she has to be in the UK

Thanks Zimba appreciate it