When can you actually move?
Between the signed offer and the flight there's a sequence of steps with real waits. Estimate your move window, milestone by milestone — then turn it into a dated plan.
A realistic sequence from that date
- 1Align visa strategy with your employerOctober 27, 2026 – November 3, 2026
- 2Assemble the document packageNovember 10, 2026 – December 1, 2026
- 3Consular appointment wait, biometrics & interviewDecember 8, 2026 – February 23, 2027
- 4Visa in passport, resign, book travelDecember 15, 2026 – March 16, 2027
Realistic move window: December 15, 2026 – March 16, 2027
Optimistic end assumes everything goes right on the first try; the far end is normal bureaucracy, not failure.
Appointment waits differ sharply between Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara and change month to month — check the State Department's current wait times before committing to dates.
Check current consular wait times (travel.state.gov) →Planning estimates from typical published ranges — not legal advice, not a prediction for your case. Government processing times change monthly and vary by consulate, service center, and season. Confirm your actual sequence with your employer's immigration team or a licensed immigration attorney.
More tools: Take-home pay · Landing cash · TN timeline guide