Does an electron hold a photon for a length of time, or does it release the photon the instant it absorbs it?

Question

When an electon absorbs a photon, is it able to hold on to it for a period of time, or does it emit the photon the instant it absorbs it? Kind of like a QED game of hot potato.
What is the experimental evidence?

Answer 1

When an electron absorbs a photon, if the energy is enough to raise the electron to the next orbit, it keeps the energy for a period of time depending on the stability of that orbit. If the energy is not enough, nothing happens and the photon is re-emitted. If the electron is raised, when it drops back, it emits a photon.