Preparing for UC Berkeley

Find Housing through the Berkeley International Office (BIO). Explore a wide range of resources for new international students arriving at UC Berkeley.

International House (UC Affiliated Housing)

Application notes: For "University role" select "EAP Undergraduate"; Submit a copy of your UCEAP letter from the dashboard in your account.

Residence Halls and University Apartments (UC Housing)

Spring: Apply as soon as you create your CalNet ID and passphrase. Applications will be accepted after the deadline.

Consider giving priority to apartment living when ranking your choices. Improve your housing application success by choosing "any room type, any location" in your list of housing preferences. Few singles are available.

Student Housing Cooperatives (UC Affiliated Housing)

• You will be added to the waiting list when you pay the $25 registration fee and create an application. You will receive an offer as space becomes available.
• Identify yourself as a UCEAP Reciprocity student to benefit from priority status on the wait list.

Featured Housing option: Cloyne Court - substance-free academic theme house.

Community Housing (Non-UC Housing)

Cal Rentals

Arrival Information & Orientation

Dates

We strongly urge you to purchase airline tickets AFTER you have obtained your visa and confirmed travel conditions to the US from your home country. When you do purchase a ticket, purchase a refundable/changeable ticket.

When should I arrive?

• Fall: August 27, 2024 (August 21, 2024 if you opted-in to Golden Bear Orientation)
• Spring: TBD

No earlier than

• Fall: July 22, 2024
• Spring: December 15, 2024

Arrive no more than 30 days prior to the date printed on your visa certificate of eligibility (DS-2019).

Start Date on Certificate of Eligibility (DS-2019)

• Fall: August 21, 2024
• Spring: January 4, 2025

Golden Bear

Complete the opt-in form by July 21, 2024 to attend at no charge. Opt-in requests submitted after July 21 will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will require payment of the $320 fee if approved.

• Fall: August 22 to 26, 2024
• Spring: TBD

• Fall: July 23 to August 16, 2024
• Spring: December 10, 2024 to January 10, 2025

Berkeley International Office (BIO)

• Fall:
  • Date: August 14, 2024 (Virtual)
  • Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Registration Link Fall
  • Date: TBD (January)
  • Time: TBD
  • Registration Link TBD

  Document Check
  Follow instructions to update your address and to upload your I-94 arrival record.
  Deadline: Prior to the first day of class

  Connect with incoming international students.

  • Fall:
    • Date: August 21, 2024
    • Time: 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    • Location: Dwinelle 155/145 and Dwinelle Plaza
    • Date: TBD
    • Time: TBD
    • Location: TBD

    iStart 101 for International Students

    Complete the online orientation course and short quizzes to prepare for your studies at Cal. Contact BIO if you do not receive an invitation by email.
    Deadline: Completion of iStart is a required part of the document check.

    BIO Informational and Social Events

    Take advantage of BIO events (campus, library, best coffee, best ice cream, botanical gardens, shopping tips, and more). Get involved with physical activities through Cal Recreation, hike to the Big C and even take a workshop on one of Cal’s favorite sports “American Football 101”.

    Move-In Dates

    Co-Op Move-In: Day prior to the start of contract; To arrange an earlier date, check with your manager.

    Temporary Accommodation (Non-UC Housing)

    • BIO temporary housing resources Page
    • Cal Rentals
    • UCB Visitor Services

    Ground Transport to Campus

    Course Enrollment

    Enrollment Resources

    • Department links
    • Schedule of Classes - See also the Open and suggested courses
    • Course catalog
    • CalCentral
    • CalCentral Schedule Planner tutorial
    • Prerequisite Clearance Request from
    • Enrollment calendar
    • Enrollment Instructions
    • UCB DeCal - Need to add just 1 or 2 units? The DeCal program offers student-initiated courses in cooperation with faculty to broaden the education and university experience of all Cal students. Courses often address current popular subjects of interest to international students.

    About ID Numbers at UC Berkeley

    Students must have a CalNet ID and PassPhrase to enroll. You will use the ID to create your CalNet ID and passphrase.

    • CalNet ID = your online identity at UC Berkeley. It does not have to be a number and will be your campus email address when combined with @berkeley.edu.
    • PassPhrase = a secret phrase that you create that must be used together with your CalNet ID in order to access secure campus websites. You create your passphrase at the same time that you create your CalNet ID.
    • Student Identification number (ID) = 10-digit number that is assigned by UCB to every new student. This ID is used by UC as your unique identifying number.

    Registering for Classes

    See your appointment dates and times in your CalCentral "My Academics" dashboard. All times are California time. Confirm your local time.

    • Fall: begins July 16, 2024
    • Spring: TBD (November)
    • Your enrollment time may begin between 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. so check your account and plan accordingly.

    Enrollment limit is 17.5 semester units. This includes waitlisted units.

    • Fall: begins August 19, 2024
    • Spring: TBD (January)
    • Your enrollment time may begin between 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. so check your account and plan accordingly.

    Enrollment in 19.5-20.5 units is allowed (see the enrollment maximum for your college), but enrollment in more than 17-18 units is not recommended.

    Include information regarding your academic preparation for any course prerequisites using the prerequisite clearance request form. Be prepared to provide your transcript and English translations of course syllabi from your home university.

    • College advisor contact and enrollment by college
    • College of Engineering enrollment information
    • College of Letters and Science enrollment information
    • College of Chemistry (including Chemical Engineering)
    • Departmental advisors (Look under advising or people link)

    Graduate Students

    Graduate students usually register after consultation with the department’s graduate advisor. Check with your host department for registration advising.

    Financial Information

    Student Account

    Check your account regularly to pay your fees and avoid late fees.

    • Log-in to access your dashboard: CalCentral

    Fees

    • Golden Bear Orientation: $320 fee (for participating students) will be added to your account and covers all activities in this comprehensive week-long orientation.
    • IREF (Instructional Resilience and Enhancement fee) materials fee: $117.50 each semester
    • Document Management fee: $68 (subject to change) one-time fee eliminates charges for individual document requests and provides students with unlimited transcripts, petitions, verifications of enrollment and more.
    • UCSA (UC Student Association) fee: $7 ($3.50 each semester); this fee is not mandatory, and you may opt-out (choose to not participate) before the deadline.
      • Opt-out deadline: prior to the end of week five of the term

      Billing Questions Contact

      120 Sproul Hall
      Phone: +1510 664 9181

      Health Insurance & Requirements

      2024-2025 costs and information are listed below.

      Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

      You will automatically be enrolled in your host university health insurance plan. No action is required.

      • Undergraduates: $2,014 each semester
      • Graduates: $3,221 each semester

      Payment Deadlines

      • Friday prior to the start of instruction
        • Fall: August 23, 2024
        • Spring: TBD

        Effective Dates

        • Fall: August 1 - December 31, 2024
        • Spring: January 1 - July 31, 2025

        * If you are a registered student during spring quarter or semester, your spring SHIP fee provides coverage through the end of summer.

        Immunizations and TB Screening

        TB and Non-COVID Immunizations Deadlines

        • Fall: July 31, 2024
        • Spring: TBD
        • A late fee will apply for submissions after September 1, 2024. Enrollment holds will be placed for non-compliance on October 1, 2024 for Fall.

        COVID-19 Policy Requirements - Fall deadline August 28, 2024

        Waiving SHIP

        To waive SHIP, you must apply for waiver by submitting documentation of comparable health insurance. Waiver must be approved by your host UC.

        • Waiver information
        • Waiver decision tools
        • Waiver criteria
        • Glossary of insurance terms

        Waiver Deadlines

        • Fall: May 1 to July 15, 2024
          • Waiver application $75 late fee will apply July 16 - August 15, 2024; No applications will be accepted after August 15.

          NOTE: Recipients of a waiver in the fall do not need to re-apply for spring.