Absence between first entry and start of employment

[veryvic]

Hi community members

I wonder if someone could help me figure out if the absence after first entry but before the start of employment would be counted as allowed absence towards 180 days?

I have a T2 general visa.
Visa clearance: 30 June 2017
First entry: 17 July 2017
Absence: 19 July 2017 - 3 September 2017
Start date of employment: 4 September 2017

Thanks!

[zimba]

All absences from the UK since the grant of your visa, will count. This even includes the gap from visa issue date and first entry to the UK

[veryvic]

All absences from the UK since the grant of your visa, will count. This even includes the gap from visa issue date and first entry to the UK

Thanks for the reply

I understand the absence between the issue of visa and first entry will count.

But how about the absence between first entry and the start of employment?

After my first entry, I had a bit delayed start of employment. Since my first entry I was absent for a month before I start employment. Will this absence count?

[CR001]

Yes the absence still counts.

[veryvic]

Thank you!

It is a bit confusing to me because the materials I could find my the government website only mentions absence between issue of Visa and first entry. Nothing has been mentioned about the absence between the first entry and start of employment if it is delayed.

[CR001]

The guidance doesn't state something about every occurrence or scenario. Once your visa is granted and you have entered the UK, then ALL absences count. There is no hidden exemption.

Unclear why you believe the absence after entering and before starting employment has different rules.

[veryvic]

“ Once your visa is granted and you have entered the UK, then ALL absences count. ”

This is not exactly true, right? E.g. after the start of employment, if the absence is not work-related (business trip) or paid annual leave, then it is not allowed absence and it breaks the continuity, doesn’t it?

[CR001]

Not it does not. You are misinterpreting.

Any and all absences count towards the absence limit.

[veryvic]

Ok… excuse me for my ignorance. Then why letters from employer to confirm absence is required?

[zimba]

Ok… excuse me for my ignorance. Then why letters from employer to confirm absence is required?

All absences from the UK will count. Your start of employment is irrelevant.
For employer letter see: indefinite-leave-to-remain/tier-2-set-o ... l#p2027888
Absence from work is NOT necessarily absence from the UK