Good Reason to Reschedule N400 Interview

[LanaSD 0]

Hello All,

 

My N400 interview got schedule in the middle of my vacation and my boyfriend and I already made arrangements and booked Air B&Bs to visit some of the national parks. I understand that of all possible reasons to reschedule this is probably the weakest one. However, cancelling Air B&B reservations will results in financial losses which are significant and I'd like to avoid them if possible. I'm considering asking USCIS to reschedule my interview. Any advice whether my situation would be considered 'beyond my control' as it states in https://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/AFM/HTML/AFM/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-2449/0-0-0-2466.html

 

'Prior to and at the date and time of the interview, an applicant or petitioner may (a) withdraw the application or petition; or (b) request, for good cause, that the interview be rescheduled.
In order to reschedule the interview, the adjudicator, in his or her discretion, must determine that the applicant, petitioner, beneficiary, or other individual is unable to appear at the scheduled date and time because of circumstances beyond the individuals control.
If the adjudicator determines that good cause exists for the applicant or petitioners request, the adjudicator will reschedule the interview and mail a new interview notice. If the adjudicator determines that no good cause exists, the adjudicator will adjudicate the application or petition as instructed in AFM Chapter 15.1(d)(2) . 

P.S. I do not mind waiting for another interview, even if it takes several months to reschedule. However, trying to avoid potential negative implications on my case if my request is denied.

[Eric-Pris 1,607]

Sorry but I don't think you really believe that a vacation qualifies for "outside your control".

 

You have to ask yourself what's more important.  The financial losses from your vacation will be nothing compared to what you'll have to spend on lawyers and fees if they deny you for missing the interview, even if it gets rescheduled.  It HAS happened before.

 

You really wanna take that chance just to see Yogi Bear?

 

[CarlHamilton 252]

Cancelling Airbnb reservations is a click away.  The exact opposite of "outside your control."  However, many users here have reported rescheduling interviews (use the search function), so I don't think USCIS is enforcing that standard very strictly.

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

It’s not beyond your control. Unfortunately it’s not wise to book non refundable trips while immigration cases are pending. You never know when you will get called for interview.

[LanaSD 0]

Thank you all for the comments! I didn't expect to be called for an interview so soon as my case completion date is May 2019. And of all the days the interview fell on my vacation. Maybe I should play the lottery hahaha I appreciate the advice though. Still deciding what to do.

[LanaSD 0]

1 minute ago, love_my_wife said:

What's your field office. If it is not a busy one, you can take a chance and ask to reschedule it. But if it is one of the busy ones, then you might not wanna do it!

My interview is in San Diego, CA. I imagine it's a busy one!

[Going through 5,674]

Seems an easy choice to make, depending on whether your citizenship is more important than a vacation that can be easily planned for a later date.

 

Lots of times rescheduling requests get lost in the shuffle along the way, resulting in the applicant having a flat-out no-show denial letter waiting in their mailbox upon return from their vacation.

 

Personally I'd rather take the temporary financial loss over the headache involved in appealing a potential denial, even under the best of circumstances.

[gabreigns 75]

Agreed with @Going through. 

I was in the same boat as you and my wife and I decided to book a flight the day before the interview and return the day of the interview after it was done. I have heard some people wait a long time for rescheduling of their interviews. Sure it costs money but my priorities were n400 first and then vacation.