About Residency

UC Berkeley is one of the premier universities in the nation, attracting students from many different states and countries. It is also a state-supported institution and, therefore, must charge all nonresident students an additional Nonresident Supplemental Tuition fee.

Students* who enter Berkeley as nonresidents may establish residency after fulfilling the residency requirements. Students who establish residency then receive the benefit of paying fees at the lower resident rate.

The classification process is not automatic. New and readmitted students must submit a Statement of Legal Residence, from which a classification will be made. Continuing nonresident students who have made California their home and believe that they are eligible for resident status must submit a residence classification petition, along with supporting documentation, prior to established deadlines. Please see the Residency Calendar/Deadlines page or contact the Residence Affairs unit for the application filing periods.

Law Governing Residence: The rules regarding legal residence for tuition purposes at the University of California are governed by the California Education Code and implemented by the Standing Orders of The Regents of the University of California. Under these rules, adult citizens or certain classes of aliens* can establish residence for tuition purposes. There are also particular rules that apply to the residence classification of minors. Click here for more information.

* Students who are not US Citizens or Permanent Residents should go to the What if I am not a US Citizen or Permanent Resident page for more information.