Can I leave the country before my b2 extension goes through? 11 Answers as of January 09, 2012

You are free to leave, but you must consider the impression you leave when you depart. Consider writing in an explanation before you depart.

Yes you could leave, but keep the receipt to prove that you timely filed the extension application.

Yes you can leave without affecting your credibility.

You can leave anytime after filing, keep evidence that youi filed the extension before your B-2 expiration.

If you leave before the extension is granted you abandon the request for extension but if you no longer need the extension then fine to leave.

You must file your extension request before your current authorized stay expires but can leave the U.S. while the request is pending. You can remain in the U.S. while it is pending but will abandon it if you leave before it is adjudicated. It will not have any effect on your credibility for a future entry but you must demonstrate again that you will comply with the terms of a new visit.

If the extension is approved, you have nothing to worry about. If it is denied, you need to leave the US anyway before 6 months have passed since the I-94 date. If you leave the US before you get a decision on the extension request, make sure you have someone forwarding your mail to be able to respond to any request for additional evidence.

If you depart the US while yourextensionof stay(such as B2 visa) is still pending, your application will be deemed abandoned and you may have unlawful presence as a result(if your I-94 expires at the time of your departure).

You can depart the country while an extension of stay is pending, but you should provide an address where any decisions can be mailed. It will not necessarily impact your credibility for future admission unless the information was false and/or frivolous. However, you must keep in mind that you previously entered the country for a period of stay and tried to extend this stay so the U.S. Embassy and Customs & Border Patrol may not necessarily believe your next trip will be temporary. It is in your best interest to prepare to deal with these issues before applying for any future visas.

You have to wait to see whether your B2 extension is approved before departing the U.S.