Temporary absence from the common travel area
16.—(1) Where an individual is temporarily absent from the common travel area, the individual is to be treated as present in the common travel area for—
(a)the first 13 weeks of that absence for any reason, or
(b)the first 26 weeks of that absence where—
(i)after the first 13 weeks, the absence is in connection with arrangements made for the medical treatment of the individual for a disease or bodily or mental disablement which commenced before leaving the common travel area, and
(ii)the arrangements relate to medical treatment—
(aa)outside the common travel area,
(bb)during the period when the individual is temporarily absent from the common travel area, and
(cc)by, or under the supervision of, a person appropriately qualified to carry out that treatment.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)—
(a)an individual is “temporarily absent” if, at the beginning of the period of absence, that absence is unlikely to exceed 52 weeks, and
(b)“medical treatment” means medical, surgical, psychological or rehabilitative treatment (including any course or diet regimen).