When an editor gets hit with a site ban or an indefinite block, one of the things they usually wonder is where things go from there. Is there any way to return to good standing? Or are they on the outs forever?

The standard offer is not binding, but it is usually the first step before the community will consider an unblock.

It's simple:

1. Wait at least six months, without sockpuppetry or block evasion; i.e. having made no edit, using any account or anonymously, on the English Wikipedia.
2. Promise to avoid the behavior that led to the block/ban.
3. Don't give people reasons to object to your return.

• After you have waited six months, contact a willing administrator or experienced editor (via your user talk page, email, #wikipedia-en-unblock ^connect or WP:UTRS) (list of administrators).
• If they agree a review is appropriate, they'll open a thread at an administrative noticeboard (ideally Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard).
• Discussion usually takes a few days.

Apologies and other expressions of remorse aren't necessary, but basic courtesy and a willingness to move forward productively are.

This is not a get-out-of-jail-free card, and administrators are not forced to unblock you, especially if you have not provided any reason why you should be unblocked other than your avoidance of Wikipedia for six months. You should still provide a clear reason why you should be unblocked. Banned users may request that they go through the {{2nd chance}} procedure, to show their ability to edit and improve articles according to Wikipedia's policies.

Community bans and prior blocks

Per the banning policy, "Editors who are or remain indefinitely blocked after due consideration by the community are considered 'banned by the Wikipedia community'". For a banned user, this makes no difference as they were already subject to a ban. But to a user who is already blocked but was not banned, receiving a community ban converts a block - which can be appealed to any individual administrator - into a ban which can only be appealed to the community at Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard.

The standard offer applies to community-based indefinite blocks and bans in situations where things just didn't work out: normal people, short fuses, etc. It doesn't extend to extremes, and it is ultimately up to the administrative community (on a case-by-case basis) whether the blocked or banned editor is eligible at all. Generally speaking, if the police could have become involved, then this offer doesn't apply. In addition, bans placed by the Arbitration Committee and/or the Wikimedia Foundation, are not eligible for the standard offer.

The six-month threshold can be adjustable under special circumstances. If an editor shows an unusually good insight into the circumstances that led to the block, and sets out a credible proposal for how they will deal with those issues in future, then a return might be considered sooner.

On the other hand, if the indefinitely blocked/banned user continues to be especially disruptive, or has engaged in particularly serious misconduct, then some administrators may become unwilling to consider a return for a much longer time or, quite possibly, ever.

Banned users seeking a return are well-advised to make significant and useful contributions to other WMF projects prior to requesting a return to English Wikipedia per this 'offer'. Many unban requests have been declined due to the banned user simply waiting the six months out, without making any contributions to other projects.