Temporary absence table
We have produced this table to illustrate and help identify the differences that now exist between temporary absences within Great Britain and outside of Great Britain.
| Circumstances of absence | Within Great Britain | Outside Great Britain |
|---|---|---|
| A person detained on remand pending trial or sentence upon conviction or as a condition of bail to reside in a dwelling other than their home | 52 weeks | 4 weeks |
| A person in a hospital or similar institution as a patient | 52 weeks | 26 weeks |
| A person, their partner or dependent child undergoing medical treatment, medically approved convalescence in accommodation other than residential accommodation | 52 weeks | 26 weeks |
| A training course | 52 weeks | 4 weeks |
| A person who is absent and undertaking medically approved care of a person residing in Great Britain or elsewhere | 52 weeks | 4 weeks |
| A person who is caring for child whose parent or guardian is temporarily absent from the home of that parent or guardian and receiving medically approved care or medical treatment |
52 weeks | 4 weeks |
| A person who is receiving medically approved care provided in accommodation other than residential accommodation | 52 weeks | 26 weeks |
| An eligible student | 52 weeks | 4 weeks |
| A person who is receiving care in residential accommodation and is not staying on a trial basis to ascertain if the accommodation suits his needs | 52 weeks | 4 weeks |
| A person who has left their home through fear of violence | 52 weeks | 26 weeks |
| A person who enters residential accommodation on a trial basis to ascertain if it meets their needs with the intention of returning home | 52 weeks | 4 weeks |
|
A person who is absent from Great Britain in connection with the death of their partner or a child for whom he or his partner is responsible. Also the person's close relative, a close relative of the person's partner, or a close relative of a child, or young person for whom the person or person's partner is responsible |
13 weeks | 4 weeks plus additional 4 weeks if the decision maker considers it unreasonable for the claimant to return home within the first 4 weeks |
| A member of Her Majesty’s forces posted overseas | 13 weeks | 26 weeks |
| A mariner | 13 weeks | 26 weeks |
| Continental shelf worker | 13 weeks | 26 weeks |
| Any other temporary absence, e.g. holiday | 13 weeks | 4 weeks |
Please note that Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are not within Great Britain.
