What is voluntary departure?

Voluntary departure is a legal option in which a person facing removal proceedings chooses to leave the United States on their own, rather than receiving a formal deportation order imposed by the government.

The main advantage is that this type of departure may avoid some of the harshest penalties associated with compulsory deportation, such as lengthy bars on reentry. In return, the person typically receives a set period of time to leave the country and commits to complying with the established conditions.

The critical point is strict compliance with those terms. If the deadline or conditions are not met, the benefits may be forfeited and consequences may arise that harm future chances of returning or adjusting status, including for those who previously held a visa such as the H-1B.

Because this is a significant decision, it is worth fully understanding the implications with expert guidance and reviewing current rules before choosing voluntary departure.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.