Moving to the US on a K1 visa

Once you land, you have 90 days to get married. That sounds short, but it is usually plenty — most couples marry in the first weeks. The important thing is not to miss the deadline, because overstaying it is serious.

Use the 90 days as a window, not a countdown. Marriage first, then the paperwork to stay and to work.

Not right away, for both. You cannot work until your work permission is approved, which takes months. And once you file to stay, you should not leave the US until your travel document is approved — leaving early can complicate your case.

Plan your first months without a salary, and postpone any trip home until you have the right document in hand.

Beyond the legal steps, give yourself room to land emotionally. Opening a bank account, getting a local phone number, learning how healthcare works — none of it is hard, but it all takes energy when everything is new.

One piece of advice I give everyone: do the administrative boring stuff first, while you have momentum. The fun of a new city is better enjoyed with a clear head.