6Issue of permit to return: application by individual
(1)If an individual applies to the Secretary of State for a permit to return, the Secretary of State must issue a permit within a reasonable period after the application is made.
(2)But the Secretary of State may refuse to issue the permit if—
(a)the Secretary of State requires the individual to attend an interview with a constable or immigration officer at a time and a place specified by the Secretary of State, and
(b)the individual fails to attend the interview.
(3)Where a permit to return is issued under this section, the relevant return time must fall within a reasonable period after the application is made.
(4)An application is not valid unless it is made in accordance with the procedure for applications specified by the Secretary of State.
(5)In this section—
“application” means an application made by an individual to the Secretary of State for a permit to return to be issued;
“relevant return time” means—
(a)the time at which the individual is permitted to arrive on return to the United Kingdom (in a case where the permit to return states such a time), or
(b)the start of the period of time during which the individual is permitted to arrive on return to the United Kingdom (in a case where the permit to return states such a period).