<p>Many people have told me that the process is really easy once you’ve been at a UC for 1-2 years but after reading myself, it seems quite difficult to establish residency. Anybody have any experience with this?</p>
<p>When you enroll at UC as an OOS, you are considered to be “temporarily absent from your state of permanent residency” (the state you live in). This means your current state is your home and you are just going to school somewhere else for the time being.</p>
<p>This is difficult to overcome because your parents will likely to continue claiming you as a dependent and they will continue to pay income tax at another state.</p>
<p>To attempt to gain California residency, you need to 1) show intent to make California your permanent home, and 2) demonstrate financial independence. There are some other requirements as well, but these are probably the most important ones (and perhaps the most difficult to achieve).</p>
<p>When you get to California, get a driver’s license, register to vote, and find a job (pay California income tax). Your parents will have to stop claiming you as a dependent and you’ll have to, to some degree, demonstrate that you are financially independent (meaning you should be able to live off the money you earn).</p>