This is all very helpful thank you. So I understand it will not extend my visa at all and I can return within my current visa stamp and just use the remaining days. But just to clarify; for example if I have almost a year remaining on my current visa then I could leave for 6 or 7 months and return and live out the remaining and a bit months on my visa is that correct? There's no limit to how long you are out of the country as long as you come back before your visa expires?

I'm sorry to ask again but it looks as though I may have to leave the country for some time but I'm worried how long is too long sort of thing.

@James *******

thank you!