- California Residents
A student who has been physically present in the state for at least one year and one day prior to the first day of the semester/session and has demonstrated an intent to make California a permanent home.
Students that are a non-US citizen with a visa that does not prevent you from establishing residency in the United States, you can establish residency in California. To do so, you must have proof of legal residence for at least one year and one day prior to the first day of the semester/session for which you want to be considered a California resident.
Who is considered a non-California resident?A nonresident is the person who lived in the state for less than a year and a day before the semester/session or those who hold a visa/immigration status that preclude a student from establishing residency, regardless of the length of time in California.
Below are some examples of conduct that might cause the state government to consider you a non-California resident. Conduct inconsistent with a California residency claim includes but is not limited to:
Driver license and/or vehicle registration in another state. Being a petitioner in a divorce or lawsuit as a resident in another state. Attending an out-of-state educational institution as a resident of that state. Declaring non-residence for California income tax purposes. Who is eligible for a nonresident tuition exemption?- A non-resident students who have completed three years of high school in California and graduated in California; or
- Attained credits from a California high school equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school course work and attend a combination of elementary, middle and/or high schools in California for a total of three or more years and graduated from California high school or attained the equivalent prior to the start of the term may qualify for a waiver of nonresident fees by filing an affidavit.
To apply for any of the above exceptions, fill out the AB540/California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request form (Locate the form on the webpage and follow instructions to submit).
Students under 19 years old, you and your parent(s)/legal guardian(s) must have had legal residence within California at least for one year and one day prior to the first day of the semester/session for which you want to be considered a California resident. Proof of relationship to a minor is required. Acceptable documents to show proof of relationship:
-
Birth Certificate
- Letter of Guardianship (Court order document)
International students attending on F-1 visas are considered nonresidents. Please consult the International Students Center for details concerning application and registration.
Active military personnel and veterans are exempt from the nonresident tuition fee.Dependents of active military personnel stationed in California are given a waiver of non-resident fees. Dependents of veterans are given a waiver of non-resident fees.
To apply for the waiver, fill out the Out-of-State Tuition Exemption Request (AB 13) form (Locate the form on the webpage and follow instructions to submit).
Special Immigrant Visas (Education Code 68075.6 grants immediate nonresident tuition fee exemptions to eligible Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders and refugee students who settled in California upon entering the United States). This exemption is granted for one year from the date the student settled in California upon entering the United States. The exemption applies to the following:
Afghan and Iraqi translators (and their spouses and children) who worked directly with the United States Armed Forces (Pub.L. No. 109-163, § 1059)
Afghan nationals who were employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government or in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan (Pub.L. No. 111-8, § 602)
Afghan Parolees: Pursuant to H.R 5305 (Public Law 117-43), section 2502, Afghan humanitarian parolees paroled into the U.S. between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2022, are eligible to apply for resettlement assistance, and other benefits available to refugees admitted under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157). Spouses and children of these individuals, as well as parents or legal guardians of these individuals, paroled into the U.S after September 30, 2022, are also eligible to apply for these benefits. These individuals are eligible for these benefits until March 31, 2023, or the end of their parole term, whichever is later.
Ukrainian Parolees: Pursuant to H.R 7691 (Public Law 117-128), section 401, a citizen or national of Ukraine (or a person who last habitually resided in Ukraine) paroled into the U.S. between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2023, who completed security and law enforcement background checks to the satisfaction of the Secretary of Homeland Security, are eligible to apply for resettlement assistance, and other benefits available to refugees admitted under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157). Spouses and children of these individuals, as well as parents or legal guardians of these individuals, paroled into the U.S after September 30, 2023, are also eligible to apply for these benefits. These individuals are eligible for these benefits until September 30, 2023, or the end of their parole term, whichever is later.
To change your status from nonresident to California resident, you must prove that you have had a physical presence in California for at least one year and one day prior to the first day of the semester/session for which you want to be considered a California resident. You must also prove your intent to make California your permanent home for the past year (California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 54024). If you are a student on a visa, you must comply with your visa regulations, in addition to proving physical presence and intent.
You can prove your physical presence and intent in many ways. If you believe you are a California resident per the residency requirements above, you must provide the necessary documents listed below.
All official documents presented must be valid, readable, and dated at least one year and one day prior to the to the first day of the semester/session for which you want to be considered a California resident.
- Documents MUST have your name and a California address (P.O. BOXES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED).
- Documents cannot be older than two years prior to the start of the semester/session for which reclassification is being requested.
| Semester/Session (First Day of Semester/Session) | *Proof of Residency Must Be Dated Within This Time Frame | Last Day to Change Residency Status |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 (August 26) | Within This Time Frame">8/25/2022 to 8/25/2023 | September 6, 2024 |
| Winter 2025 (January 6) | Within This Time Frame">1/5/2023 to 1/5/2024 | January 10, 2025 |
| Spring 2025 (February 24) | Within This Time Frame">2/23/2023 to 2/23/2024 | March 7, 2025 |
| Summer 2025 (June 23) | Within This Time Frame">6/22/2023 to 6/22/2024 | June 26, 2025 |
| Fall 2025 (August 25) | Within This Time Frame">8/24/2023 to 8/24/2024 | September 5, 2025 |
Complete the Residency Reclassification form and provide at least TWO of the following items (number 1 to 13) to establish yourself as a California resident:
Please Note: Students who attended/attend out-of-state public college may be required to show proof of paying nonresident tuition at that college/university.
- California Driver License or a California Identification Card (Dated at least one year & one day*AND current)
- California vehicle Registration Card (Certificate of Title not accepted)(Dated at least one year & one day*AND current)
- Bank statements (checking or savings account ONLY) or letter of verification from bank with a California address (Dated at least one year & one day*AND current)
- Records of Income:
- Current W-2 form showing California address; or
- State or Federal Tax Returns with California address (Previous year); or
- Documentation of employment: check stub (Dated at least one year & one day*AND current), letter from employer on company letterhead, AND company issued employee identification (All THREE documents required)
- California Voter Registration Card (Voter status not accepted) (Not older than 2 years)
- California home loan papers, tax receipts, escrow papers, or documentation of a residential lease covering the required period
- Selective Service Registration Card with your permanent California address (Not older than 2 years)
- Maintaining permanent military address or home of record in California while in armed forces—DD-214 (Not older than 3 years)
- Documentation of the student as a California resident having received rehabilitation, unemployment, welfare, or other California State Services: service receipts or agreements of certification by the appropriate agency showing the student as recipient (Dated at least one year & one day*AND current)
- Petition for a divorce in California
- License from California for professional practice (Dated at least one year & one day*AND current)
- Documentation of active resident membership in California professional, service, or social organization (school organization not accepted) (Dated at least one year & one day*AND current)
- Proof of dependency (e.g. foster youth, Ward of the Court) covering the required period
As per California Code of Regulations Section 54026, the burden is on the student to demonstrate clearly both physical presence in California and intent to establish California residence.
