Move-In - Housing

Last updated: August 4, 2026

We’re excited that you’ll be living on campus, and we look forward to sharing all the details you will need as you transition into Berkeley life. Please refer to the Housing Portal for your building assignment, contract information, and more. Check your email for important updates.

Please contact the Housing Office at reshall@berkeley.edu if you have any questions. For details about Golden Bear Orientation, visit orientation.berkeley.edu.

Not moving into undergraduate housing? Visit Graduate Move-In or Family Student Housing Move-In.

See you soon, and Go Bears!

New incoming undergraduate students (first-year and transfer)

Move-In for new incoming undergraduates will take place August 17-19, 2026, so that you can attend Golden Bear Orientation. Students will be assigned a specific date and time in advance, so please wait to make travel plans until you receive your time slot notification. Additional details will be shared closer to Move-in.

You will be assigned a move-in day based on the building to which you’re assigned. It’s important to note that you will need to move in on your building’s assigned day, or later. After you receive your housing assignment via email, you will need to select a move-in time slot on your move-in day.

Continuing (returning) undergraduate students

Continuing undergraduate students living in campus housing for the 2026–27 academic year are scheduled to move in on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

Graduate students and family student housing

Not moving into undergraduate housing? Visit Graduate Move-In or Family Student Housing Move-In for your details.
Make sure you bring:
- A screenshot or print-out of your unique move-in bar code and QR code from the Housing Portal.
- Confirmation of your move-in time slot, from an email or a screenshot from the Housing Portal.
- A printed parking permit, which will be emailed to you in advance for you to print.
- Valid government-issued photo ID or approved alternative.
Unload during your move-in time slot.

Arrive at the start of your move-in time slot and park in the 20-minute unloading zone for your housing location (see Move-In Parking and Directions). You will be asked to show confirmation of your move-in time slot.
- The driver should remain with the car at all times.
- Borrow a moving cart and load it with your belongings. Carts will be available at the unloading zone area, and should be returned promptly after unloading, following instructions at your building.
- You may want to bring your own dolly or hand-truck for a quicker move in, rather than wait to use the limited supply of moving carts.
Check in with your government-issued photo ID.

Check in at the central courtyard or main entrance of your housing complex to get your keys. You will be asked to show your move-in bar code and QR code, which you should screenshot or print out ahead of time from the Housing Portal.
- Only students will be allowed in check-in lines, so your parents or supporters will need to wait for you in the unloading area or somewhere away from the check-in lines.
- When checking in, you will be required to show a valid, not expired, government-issued photo ID: typically a state ID, driver’s license, or passport.
  - If you are unable to provide the required government-issued photo ID when you check in, staff will notify the Office of the Registrar, which will then place a block on your registration for the following academic term and email you about how to clear that block by taking a government-issued photo ID (once available) to Cal Student Central.
  - If you don’t yet have (or have lost) the required government-issued photo ID, your high school or college ID will allow you to obtain your key and student ID. However, this requires additional work and may take longer to process at Check-In.
- At Check-In you will receive your room key, and new students will also receive their Cal 1 Card student ID and Clipper BayPass transit card, which provides fare-free public transit across the Bay Area.
After checking in, use the rest of your time slot for moving belongings into your room. Once you finish moving in, your helpers must leave the building. Plan to spend additional time with family or helpers outside of your housing unit to help reduce crowds throughout the day.

Move your car after unloading.

After you unload your belongings, please move your car to one of the designated lots offering free two-hour move-in parking. Check Move-In Parking for detailed maps and parking locations.
- A link to a printable parking permit will be emailed to you ahead of time; please print and fill it out in advance, and place it on your dashboard when parking in the designated lot for your building.
- To avoid break-ins, don’t leave your belongings inside parked cars, and always lock car doors.
Planning to arrive on a later date than your designated move-in date?
- For new first-year and transfer students: Please fill out the New Student Late Move-in Form with your planned move-in date.
- For continuing students: Please email reshall@berkeley.edu with your planned move-in date.
Please note that you can always arrive after your booked time slot, just not before. You do not need to notify UC Berkeley Housing if you are planning on arriving later on the same day as your booked time slot.

If you miss Move-In, or you arrive after-hours on your move-in day, please go to the front desk or front door/entrance of your building. Information will be posted there about how to proceed. Please note that if you arrive after business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) you will be able to access your room — see posted signage at your building to reach staff on call — but you may have to wait until the next day to complete the check-in process and get your Cal 1 Card, etc. Additionally, you will not have access to move-in carts and other support.
Golden Bear Orientation (GBO) Check-In

GBO Check-In takes place on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 regardless of your move-in date.
- GBO Check-In will take place between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the entrance of your housing complex if you live in Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Blackwell, Foothill, Stern, Clark Kerr, Anchor House, Martinez Commons, Channing Bowditch, and Wada. Look for the table under the “Orientation” tent.
- If you live in Enclave Apartments, Panoramic Apartments, xučyun ruwway Apartments, or University Village, please go to Lower Sproul Plaza between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Move-In Fest

Move-In Fest is a series of free late-night events for new incoming students on August 17– 19, 2026 from 9 p.m. – midnight. After you move in, join your fellow residents for star gazing, free late night food, a comedy show with Aye D1, games, crafts, and more. All new first year and transfer student residents are welcome to attend.

Meals for new students during move-in

If you are a new incoming student attending Golden Bear Orientation (GBO) and you have a meal plan, you will be able to use your meal plan on move-in days. During GBO, meals will be provided and will be coordinated to accommodate your specific small group schedule.
Continuing undergraduate students living in campus housing for the 2026–27 academic year are scheduled to move in on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Please see the instructions on this page, and also review the Move-in Parking & Directions page for detailed instructions for your unit on August 23 Move-in.
- If you are a continuing student arriving later than August 23, please email reshall@berkeley.edu
- If you are a continuing student and you would like to arrive earlier than August 23, please email reshall@berkeley.edu
Visit the Move-In Parking and Directions page for specific unloading, moving, and parking instructions for your residence hall or apartment unit, including each unit’s custom Move-in map.
You’ll receive an email in early August notifying you that you can access roommate information in the Housing Portal. See “Roommate Information” linked at the bottom of the “Accepted” page. Don’t forget to review our tips on living with a roommate.
- Review the Move-In Checklist of what to bring (and what not to bring).
- Check the My Room page for more information about green living, technology, personal property insurance, and more.
- Review the Bearest Necessities, your guide to living in campus housing. It includes info on the Residential Code of Conduct, laundry, mail, maintenance, and more -— you’ll receive a physical copy at Move-In.
- Get connected! We invite you to join the UC Berkeley Discord as a way to connect with your fellow Bears. And check out the Berkeley Life Instagram and Berkeley Life blog to see perspectives from fellow students about what it’s like at UC Berkeley.
- Room numbers will be available when you arrive on campus. If you need to show proof of your housing contract to a campus office, please refer to your contract confirmation page in the Housing Portal.
Visit our Undergraduate Move-In FAQ page for answers to frequently asked questions.