Residency determination is a complex process that is governed by many rules and policies. Often several types of documents are needed before a determination can be made. No single document is decisive. 

• California-issued Identification:

Valid California driver’s license or Department of Motor Vehicles documentation of California driver’s license/California Identification card. 

• California Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate. 

• Establishing and maintaining active California bank accounts – bank statement or letter of verification from bank with California address. 

• Records of Income: 

1. Documentation of employment – check stub, typed and signed letter from employer on company letterhead with employment start date, or company identification (work badge with employment dates). 
   OR
2. California Resident State Income Tax Form 540 from previous year or 540NR (required by law of any part-year, taxpaying resident of California). If the end of the tax year does not fall one year and one day prior to the residence determination date, one of the following documents so dated is also required: check stubs, a note from the employer, or other verification. WITH Federal Income Tax Form 1040 from previous year with California address. If the end of the tax year does not fall one year and one day prior to the residence determination date, one of the following documents so dated is also required: check stubs, a note from the employer, or other verification. 

• Verification of California Voter Registration (Voter Registration Card). 
• Rental/Lease agreement (for one year) or documentation of purchase and occupancy of residential real estate in California. Examples: Loan papers, tax receipts, escrow papers, or documentation of rental residential lease for one year.  
• Selective Service registration with California permanent address – Selective Service Registration Card. 
• Maintaining permanent military address or home of record in California while in armed forces – DD214. 
• Petition for a divorce in California – legal document. 
• License from California for professional practice – legal document. 
• Documentation of active resident membership in California professional, service, or social organization. 

Students who are eligible to establish residency include U.S. Citizens, permanent residents, lawful temporary residents, amnesty residents, refugees and asylum residents. Additionally, the following non-immigrant visa types: A-1 to A-3, G-1 to G-5, H-1B, H-1C, I, K-1, K-2, K-3, K-4, L1A, L-1B, L-2, N-8, N-9, O-1, O-3, R-1, R-2, R-3, SIV, T1 to T-6, U-1 to U-5, V-1, V-2, V-3. For anyone other than a U.S. Citizen, the one-year duration period begins after the application for adjustment of status to one of these classifications has been filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This requirement is in addition to the California residency requirements of physical presence and intent to reside. 

Education Code section 68075.6 grants an immediate nonresident tuition fee exemption 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. 

This exemption applies to the following: 

• Iraqi citizens or nationals (and their spouses and children) who were employed by or on behalf of the United States Government in Iraq (Pub.L.No.110-181, 1244). 

• Afghan and Iraqi translators (and their spouses and children) who worked directly with the United States Armed Forces (Pub.L.No.109-163, 1059).

• Afghanistan 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). 

• Refugee students admitted to the United States under Section 1157 of Title 8 of the United States Code. 

Another exemption may apply to the below types of visa holders if the student enters California as they enter United States and settles in California.   

• T1-T6 Victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons; spouse or child; parent of T-1 if T-1 victim is under 21 years of age. [Note: May be entitled to an immediate exemption from the nonresident tuition fee if upon entry to the United States, the T visa holder first settled in California pursuant to the provisions of Education Code section 68075.6 and 68122 (effective January 1, 2018). This exemption is only for the length of time he or she lives in this state up to the minimum time necessary to become a resident (one year and one day).] 

• U1-U5 Victims of certain crimes; spouse or child; parent of U-1 victim if U-1 is under 21 years of age. [Note: May be entitled to an immediate exemption from the nonresident tuition fee if upon entry to the United States, the U visa holder first settled in California pursuant to the provisions of Education Code section 68075.6 and 68122 (effective January 1, 2018). This exemption is only for the length of time he or she lives in this state up to the minimum time necessary to become a resident (one year and one day).] 

Undocumented immigrants, out-of-status non-immigrants and non-immigrants with B, C, D, F, H-1B1, H-2, H-3, J, M, O, P, Q, S, TN, TD and TWO visas are not eligible to establish residency.