I personally know a husband and wife team that did leave. They asked and were repeatedly denied. Then the wife did something that the CIA was not very happy about (I won't say what she did but it can be found easily if you know where to look) and in the process both of their covers were blown. The situation was embarrassing enough to the CIA that they parted ways after the CIA was forced to confirm to the media they were in fact CIA officers. Both have different careers now. Note - they did not do anything illegal to leave (meaning they weren't double agents or stealing secrets or anything like that). I worked with the husband for over 5 years (after their CIA careers - I was never CIA).

I personally know a husband and wife team that did leave. They asked and were repeatedly denied. Then the wife did something that the CIA was not very happy about (I won't say what she did but it can be found easily if you know where to look) and in the process both of their covers were blown. The situation was embarrassing enough to the CIA that they parted ways after the CIA was forced to confirm to the media they were in fact CIA officers. Both have different careers now. Note - they did not do anything illegal to leave (meaning they weren't double agents or stealing secrets or anything like that). I worked with the husband for over 5 years.