Residency requirements

All students are presumed to be dependent students, which requires that the student and parents must each satisfy all applicable Residency Requirements, unless the Student has been determined to qualify as an independent student (includes graduate students). Further information regarding qualifications for evaluation as an independent student can be found in the UC Residency Policy & Guidelines.

Elements of Residence

Included below are the residency requirements that dependent students and their parents must meet in order to verify eligibility for a resident determination. Independent students (includes graduate students) may satisfy residency requirements on their own.

Physical Presence
You must be continually physically present in California for more than one year (366 days) immediately prior to the residence determination date of the term for which you request resident status. If you moved to California primarily to attend the University of California, you are here for educational purposes and may not be eligible for a resident classification.

Intent to Remain in CA
You must establish your intent to make California your home more than one year prior to the residence determination date of the term for which you requested a resident status.

Immigration Status
You must have the ability the legal ability to establish a permanent domicile in the United States, meaning that you must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or hold a valid, qualifying nonimmigrant visa.