ILR Application Due Soon: Very Long Absence?

[Knudson]

Hello everyone,

My limited leave to remain visa is set to expire February and I am looking to apply for ILR. However, during my residence here in the UK, I had one very long absence of 861 days. This was due to returning to Canada, my country of origin, to take a University course that isn't available here in the United Kingdom. I returned to the UK on the earliest possible flight upon completing my course in aims of settling permanently and starting my career with my new qualification. I have otherwise been present since early 2003.

Timeline:

Original Entry: April 2003 (Work Permit Dependent)
Limited Leave to Remain: Issued April 2008
Returned to Canada: June 14, 2010 - October 22, 2012.
Now present in the UK.

With this in mind, is my reason for being absent compelling enough for an ILR application? Should I apply in person and speak with a caseworker directly?

Thanks,
Knudson

[wpilr_nov12]

I thought this sounded familiar. This discussion has taken place before here http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewto ... ht=#625778

[Knudson]

Thanks, but I'm still not sure if my status of work permit dependent currently applies to me as I'm now in my 20s and was over 18 when I received limited leave to remain. I also didn't want to bump a thread from last April since I have more precise information now .

The concern for me, the way I'm looking at it, is the extended absence over 180 days and having only returned a couple of months ago since there's a conflict in being absent between mid 2010 - late 2012, but otherwise being able to prove (more than) 4-5 years of continuous lawful presence. Would taking a University course overseas that isn't available in the UK be seen as a compelling enough reason to warrant such a lengthy absence in light of everything else?

Thanks,
Knudson

[Knudson]

Does anybody have any additional thoughts on my case?