We are still waiting for my wife's ilr but have just had news her dad has a blot clot on his brain and she may need to go home, I understand the difficulties involved without the ilr but what can we do ?
I'm sure it's expired already, the visa system is such a mess at the moment and we are still waiting to see if she has her ilr
If you have an application in awaiting a decision and leave the UK while waiting the decision the UKBA consider that the application has been withdrawn! And as such you have lost the right to return to live in the UK as your previous status in this instance is lost, if you stay in the UK whilst a decision is made your status remains the same. Therefore it is highly recommended not to leave the UK while waiting a decision
Very useful to know - although it does seem highly unfair, considering that if a current Visa/BRP expires whilst you are waiting for a decision on a new application, your 'status' remains unchanged until the decision is made!