What are the services provided by the Berkeley International Office?

BIO assists over 12,000 international students and scholars at UC Berkeley each year, making it one of the largest international offices in the United States.

In addition to immigration advising, BIO offers financial aid counseling to help international students navigate the complex process of securing scholarships, grants, and other funding.

BIO's advocacy work includes regularly liaising with U.S.

government agencies to ensure smooth visa processing and address policy changes that impact the international community.

The office hosts over 100 social and cultural events annually, providing international students and scholars opportunities to connect with the broader campus and local community.

BIO collaborates with academic departments to offer specialized orientation and onboarding programs tailored to the needs of international students in different fields of study.

International scholars visiting UC Berkeley can receive support from BIO in areas such as finding housing, setting up bank accounts, and accessing campus resources.

BIO maintains an extensive library of online resources and guides covering topics from academic writing to U.S.

tax preparation, accessible to international students and scholars worldwide.

The office operates a 24/7 emergency hotline to provide immediate assistance to international students and scholars facing urgent issues, such as immigration-related problems or personal crises.

BIO's team includes multilingual advisors fluent in over a dozen languages, ensuring international students and scholars can communicate effectively in their native tongues.

The office works closely with the UC Berkeley Global Engagement Office to facilitate international research collaborations, faculty exchanges, and joint degree programs.

BIO coordinates with campus partners to offer specialized English language courses and conversation practice groups to help international students improve their communication skills.

The office utilizes cutting-edge video conferencing and document management technologies to provide seamless virtual advising and support services to international students and scholars, even when they are located overseas.