Someone on this thread has clearly mentioned the fact that the moment your visa extension is rejected, your visa becomes VOID. I just wanted to reiterate since it has happened to my relatives. We were under the impression that as long as the case is pending, you are on status. It is true. However, if the extension is rejected, the letter says you are out of status effective from the date of the decision. If you leave within 30 days, there is no 3 years or 10 years bar in reentering. But one must reapply the visa.

Therefore, I highly recommend that you should send your friends/family back home before they get rejection letter. If they leave and later the visa extension gets rejected, the visa doesn’t become void. Hope this helps.