■4 weeks, if the absence is not expected to exceed that. The four weeks can be extended by up to four further weeks if the absence is in connection with the death of a close relative and the DWP considers it would be unreasonable for you to return within the first four weeks; or

■26 weeks, if the absence is not expected to exceed that and you are receiving medical treatment, or medically approved convalescence, due to a condition that began before leaving GB; or

■26 weeks, if you were present in a country when the UK government advised British nationals to leave, or arranged for their evacuation from, that country, you had not entered that country when the advice was to leave, and it would be unreasonable to expect you to return, or have returned, to GB. Advice was issued for South Sudan 27.3.25, Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories 23.6.25, Jamaica 1.11.25 and Bahra