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 necessarily binding. However, most administrators and the community accept it as a common route to having a block reviewed.

It's simple:

1. Wait at least six months, without sockpuppetry or block evasion; i.e. with no edit, using any account or anonymously, on English Wikipedia.
2. Promise to avoid the behavior that led to the block/ban.
3. Don't create any extraordinary reasons to object to a 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 (WP:AN or WP:ANI).
• 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.

Note for blocked users

Per the banning policy, a blocked user who is or remains indefinitely blocked after a discussion at the administrators' noticeboard is 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 blocked but not banned, this converts a block which can be appealed to any individual administrator into a ban which can only be appealed to the community at WP:AN. This effect should be taken into consideration when requesting the standard offer.

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 law enforcement could have become involved then this offer doesn't apply. Bans placed by the Arbitration Committee and/or by 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.