Like being allowed to back a truck out of a muddy field before the tow bill, the ticket, and the bigger mess arrive, this is permission for a noncitizen to leave the United States on their own within a set time instead of being formally removed. It is granted by an immigration judge or, in some cases, by federal immigration authorities. The person agrees to depart by the deadline, pays their own way, and avoids having a removal order entered against them.

That difference matters. A formal deportation or removal order can trigger longer bars to returning and create lasting problems with future visa, green card, or citizenship applications. Voluntary departure can be a cleaner exit, but it comes with strict conditions. Missing the deadline can lead to penalties, including fines and limits on future immigration relief.

For someone dealing with an injury claim, immigration status can affect practical choices about medical care, work, and whether to stay in the country long enough to finish a case. Leaving under voluntary departure does not automatically erase a right to seek compensation, but it can complicate testimony, treatment records, and communication with a lawyer. Because it is governed by federal immigration law rather than Vermont law, there is no special Vermont deadline or fault rule attached to the immigration decision itself.