Dr. William:

 I have F-1 visa now and filed H-1B petition, may I leave U.S. for a short time to visit my parents during the winter break?

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Answer:

While many applications are considered abandoned if you leave the country during the application, that is not true for H-1B. The reason is that H-1B is not your petition. It is your employer's petition. You can leave U.S. and upon obtaining approval of H-1B.