Your first 90 days

What the first-90-days planner does

This is an interactive checklist for your first three months in the US, organized week by week instead of one long random list. Tasks follow a logical order — for instance, opening a bank account usually makes little sense before you have a Social Security number — and your progress saves automatically in your browser, so you always know exactly where you left off.

How to use it, step by step

1. Start at Week 1, where you'll find urgent tasks like activating a phone line, securing temporary housing, and booking your Social Security number appointment.
2. Check off each task as you complete it; the progress bar at the top updates automatically to show your overall percentage.
3. Move between weeks using the tabs or sidebar — you don't need to finish one week before viewing the next, since some tasks need advance preparation.
4. Click any task name for an expanded explanation or a link to a detailed guide where one exists.

How to read your progress

The percentage reflects tasks completed out of the total list, not a real measure of how "settled" you are. Some tasks (like opening a bank account) can take days for reasons outside your control, such as waiting for an appointment. If you see a task stuck for more than two weeks, that's a good signal to investigate the delay rather than skip past it.

Practical tips for Arabs in the US

• If you arrived on a family or marriage-based visa, add a task to track your conditional green card or EAD work permit if applicable — it isn't always in the default list for every case type.
• Find a nearby mosque or Islamic center in your first two weeks — it's often a faster, more practical source of information (housing, jobs, schools) than any online search.
• If you have school-age children, don't delay the school enrollment task — some school districts require documents (vaccination records, proof of address) that take time to gather.

Common mistakes

The most common mistake is trying to finish everything in week one, which scatters focus, while the list is designed to spread tasks intelligently across three months. Another is ignoring "prep ahead" tasks placed in later weeks, like appointments with long wait times. And some people stop checking the planner after the first two weeks even though their progress has stalled, missing time-sensitive tasks like updating your address with USCIS within ten days of moving.

What's next

For the full detail behind every step, see our first 90 days in the USA guide. For specific tasks, see getting a Social Security number, opening a bank account, and updating your address within ten days.

For core government tasks (Social Security, address change), start at usa.gov – New to the US.