Requirements:
- Submit your online NIF
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee
- Apply for your visa
- Complete Pre-Arrival Orientation
- Undergraduates - Golden Bear Prep(link is external)
- Graduates - iStart 101 course
- - Complete Online Arrival Confirmation
Pre-Arrival Online Webinars
These online webinars, presented by advisors at Berkeley International Office, are designed to help you make a smooth transition to UC Berkeley.
Register for the webinars by following the links below. All times are in Pacific Standard Time. Links to recordings of the webinars will be posted below after they have taken place.
Fall 2025
- Applying for Your Student Visa: April 24, 3:30 - 5 p.m. (register(link is external))
- Housing in the Bay Area: May 1, 3:30 - 5 p.m. (register(link is external))
- Applying for Your Student Visa: May 15, 9 - 10:30 a.m. (register(link is external))
- Preparing for Your Study Abroad at UC Berkeley: May 23, 9 - 10:30 a.m. (register(link is external))
- Preparing for Your First Year Experience: June 12, 3:30 - 5 p.m. (register(link is external))
- Undergrad Academic Success and Culture: June 18, 3:30 - 5 p.m. (register(link is external))
- Grad Academic Success and Culture: June 20, 3:30 - 5 p.m. (register(link is external))
- New International Transfer Students: June 26, 1 - 2 p.m. (register(link is external))
- Financial Planning for Life in the Bay Area: July 2, 1:30 - 3 p.m. (register(link is external))
- Applying for Your Student Visa: July 11, 3:30 - 5 p.m. (register(link is external))
Spring 2025
- Preparing for Your Study Abroad at UC Berkeley: November 5, 2024, 4 - 5 p.m. (recording(link is external), slides(link is external))
- Applying for Your Student Visa: November 27, 2024, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. (recording(link is external), slides(link is external))
Accessing UC Berkeley resources from abroad
Berkeley International Office recommends that students who are physically in China access bMail and other UC Berkeley resources using the campus VPN, which allows anyone with a CalNet login access to any needed internet resources, whether those resources are on- or off-campus. The UC Berkeley Libraries website has instructions(link is external) for accessing the Campus VPN. For access to off-campus internet resources that are inaccessible in China, we recommend connecting with Full Tunnel VPN, rather than Split Tunnel.
Arrival Guide 2024 - 2025
BIO Web Series
Stay tuned to this spot for the BIO Web Series where international students show you how to navigate situations like finding housing, choosing course and social settings.
Youku/Tudou users may access the Web Series here(link is external).
Packing Tips
Click image for full infographic
U.S. Department of State Resources
- The Exchange Visitor Program Welcome Brochure(link is external)
- Know Your Rights: An information pamphlet describing your rights while working in the United States(link is external).
U.S. Department of Agriculture Resources
Social Media
Join us on social media for quick updates and useful information.
