Just a 3 minute walk to Campus!  ✦  Now Leasing for 2026–2027  ✦  Rooms from $765/mo  ✦  Fully Furnished & All-Inclusive  ✦  Instant Approval for International Students  ✦  60+ Years Serving UC Berkeley Students  ✦  Call (510) 704-1240 to Tour Today!  ✦  
For International Students

Best Housing for International Students at UC Berkeley

Instant approval. No US credit history or SSN required. Fully furnished rooms from $765/mo, two blocks from the UC Berkeley campus.

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Why International Students Choose Telegraph Commons

Built for students moving to Berkeley from abroad

Instant Approval

Most international applications are approved within minutes. No waiting, no guessing. Lock in your room the same day you apply.

Best Rates in Berkeley

Fully furnished private and shared rooms from $765/mo, all-inclusive. WiFi, utilities, furniture, and building amenities are covered in one simple price.

No SSN or US Credit Needed

International students apply using 111-11-1111 for the Social Security field and your current or home-country address for rental references. That's it.

Move-In Ready

Twin bed, desk, chair, closet, and mini fridge in every room. Arrive with a suitcase. No IKEA trips, no cable setup, no utility accounts to open.

Live Availability

Rooms available right now

Every room is eligible for our international student application process.

(510) 704-1240Schedule Virtual Tour

International FAQ

Common questions from students moving to Berkeley

Do I need a US Social Security Number to apply?
No. International students enter 111-11-1111 in the Social Security field on the application. This is the designated placeholder our property management system uses to process international applicants without a US SSN.
What if I don't have US credit history or a US co-signer?
No US credit history or US co-signer is required. For "Rental References," enter your current address or your home-country address. Our team reviews international applications on a case-by-case basis and approval is typically instant.
Can I apply before I arrive in the United States?
Yes. Most international students apply and get approved while still in their home country. You can lock in your room and move-in date before your flight. We recommend applying as early as possible since rooms fill up fast for fall and spring semesters.
Is Telegraph Commons F-1 visa friendly?
Yes. We regularly house F-1 visa students, exchange students, transfer students, and graduate students from universities around the world. Our leasing team is familiar with international student timelines, I-20 documentation, and the challenges of coordinating housing from abroad.
Do I need a guarantor?
No guarantor is required for international students. Our standard international application only requires the application ($40), security deposit ($250), and first month's rent to secure your room.
What payment methods do you accept for international students?
We accept international wire transfers, major credit cards, and ACH bank transfers through our resident portal. Contact our leasing team at leasing@sgrealestateco.com for full instructions on sending payment from overseas.
How close is Telegraph Commons to UC Berkeley?
Two blocks. The main UC Berkeley campus entrance at Sproul Plaza is a 3-minute walk (about 0.25 miles) from our front door. Telegraph Avenue, the main student corridor, runs directly past the building.
What is included in the rent?
Everything. Rent plus the $85/month amenity fee covers Google Fiber WiFi, cable, electricity, water, trash, a fully furnished room (twin bed, desk, chair, closet, mini fridge), daily janitorial service of common areas, communal kitchen and bathroom per floor, laundry, and 24/7 building access.
Do you offer short-term or summer leases?
Yes. We offer flexible lease lengths designed around academic calendars, including short-term leases for summer programs, study-abroad exchange students, and visiting scholars. Ask our leasing team about options that match your program dates.
Can I tour the property from overseas?
Absolutely. We offer virtual 3D tours of rooms and common areas, plus video walkthroughs over WhatsApp, WeChat, or Zoom with our leasing team. Many international students sign a lease sight-unseen after a virtual tour.

Get in Touch

Questions from overseas?

Tell us about your program, arrival date, and any questions about the international application. Our leasing team responds within one business day, in English, and we can arrange virtual tours over WhatsApp, WeChat, or Zoom.

Leasing Team Direct

Leasing Phone

(510) 704-1240

Secure Application

SSL-protected application portal. Your passport and visa info stay private.

Virtual Tours

WhatsApp, WeChat, Zoom, FaceTime. Sign a lease before you book your flight.

The Best Housing for International Students at UC Berkeley

Telegraph Commons is the best housing for international students at UC Berkeley. Located at 2490 Channing Way, two blocks from Sproul Plaza, we are the preferred choice for F-1 visa undergraduates, exchange students, graduate students, visiting scholars, and international transfers from dozens of countries every academic year. Our application process is built from the ground up to work for international students at UC Berkeley who do not have US credit history, a US Social Security Number, or a US co-signer. International applicants get instant approval and can lock in a UC Berkeley housing room before arriving in the United States.

Every room at Telegraph Commons is fully furnished and all-inclusive. For one flat monthly price, international students get Google Fiber WiFi, utilities, cable, a twin-size bed, desk, chair, closet, mini fridge, and access to a daily-cleaned communal kitchen and bathroom on every floor. That means no deposit negotiations with PG&E, no Comcast setup from overseas, no hunting for furniture on Craigslist, and no utility bills in a language or billing format you're not used to. Just show up, unpack, and start your semester.

For international students at UC Berkeley, location matters. The campus is a three-minute walk through the Southside neighborhood. Telegraph Avenue's restaurants, bookstores, boba, groceries, and banks are steps from the front door. Downtown Berkeley BART is a 10-minute walk, giving you direct access to San Francisco and SFO. AC Transit shuttle lines stop right outside the building. For students balancing classes, a new country, and a new time zone, cutting your commute down to zero matters.

Ready to apply? International students can start their application directly from our availability page. Use 111-11-1111 for the Social Security field and your current or home-country address for rental references. Most applications are approved in under 15 minutes. If you'd rather talk through options first, email our leasing team at leasing@sgrealestateco.com or call (510) 704-1240. We welcome students from every country.

Ready to make Telegraph Commons home?

Rooms fill fast. Secure your spot for the upcoming semester.

Apply Now(510) 462-5442