APS certificate for Indian students

If you’re an Indian student looking to study in Germany, you will need an APS certificate along with other necessary documents.

What is an APS certificate?

The APS certificate in full form is from Akademische Prüfstelle (or Academic Evaluation Centre). It is a mandatory document for Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese students planning to study in Germany.

The APS certificate is an official verification of your academic documents, ensuring that your academic qualifications meet the German higher education standards.

The APS is a joint institution of the German Embassy and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The APS checks the authenticity of your educational documents and issues the APS certificates if the result is positive.

Read on to learn more about the APS certificate for Germany and the key details you should know for a hassle-free application process.

This guide explains:

• What an APS certificate is
• Why you need one and how to get it
• The key details in the certificate application process.

Note: This content is only a general guide and should not be used as a legal consultation.

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APS certificate for Indian students

The number of Indian students applying to study in Germany is increasing every year.

With this, the APS certificate has been introduced to prove the authenticity of academic documents. This certificate is also a part of obtaining your German student visa.

From November 01, 2022, onwards, Germany has made it mandatory for all Indian students to get their academic documents verified by the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS India) and obtain APS certificates before applying for their German student visas.

KEY FACT

Academic Evaluation Centre (also known as “Akademische Prüfstelle” or APS) is a service provider of the Science Section of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, New Delhi in cooperation with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

The APS India office, at the German Embassy in New Delhi issues the APS certificate.

To minimise the APS certificate processing time, you must complete the application process before your university application.

However, this certificate is not required for students who have received German or Europe-funded Scholarships. Likewise, PhD students whose supervisors do not need the APS are also exempted.

What is the APS certificate validity?

The APS certificate is valid for an unlimited period of time.

NOTE

APS certificate is not required for short-term courses (less than 90 days). However, it is mandatory for courses longer than 90 days.

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How to get an APS certificate?

• Get your academic documents verified by APS India to get your APS certificate.
• Go to the APS India official website and go through the guidelines given on the website.
• Have the original and photocopies of your academic documents for the APS certification process.
• Please note that only those documents translated into English from any Indian regional languages must be notarised.
• Pay the APS certificate processing fees of INR 18,000.
• Submit the required documents via courier to the APS India office.

The APS India office address is Academic Evaluation Centre, Gate No. 3, DLTA Complex, R.K. Khanna Stadium, 1 Africa Avenue, 110029 New Delhi, India.

Also Read: Universities in Germany for International Students

Application process

1. Register online at the APS India official website.
2. Print and sign the completed application form.
3. Transfer the APS verification fee of INR 18,000 to the APS bank account.
4. Submit the required documents, including the printed and signed application form via courier to APS India.
5. Your online profile will be updated with your verification result.
6. You will then receive five original APS certificates via courier within two weeks.

NOTE

From April 2023, paper APS certificates have been replaced with digitally signed APS certificates. The digital certificate is valid for three years and has to be reissued after that.

APS certificate fees

The fees for obtaining an APS certificate are approximately INR 18,000. You should transfer the fees to APS India’s bank account, which is non-refundable. You will get only 5 copies of the certificate through courier. If you need more copies, you must pay INR 500 per copy extra.

How long does an APS certificate take?

The APS certificate processing time ranges from 4 to 6 weeks. Apply early to avoid any delays in the admission process.

APS certificate tracking

You can track your APS certificate application status online, using the application reference number provided during your application process.

You can log in to the online student portal in ‘My Account’ on the APS India website. You will also receive an email notification once your verification process is complete.

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APS certificate requirements

The documents required for the APS certificate vary depending on the study level. Here is the common list of documents required for the APS certificate.

• A copy of your passport
• A copy of your Aadhaar card
• All mark sheets and degree certificates
• Proof of proficiency in English or German, like the IELTS, TOEFL, or TestDaF.
• Complete application form
• A copy of the receipt confirming the transfer of the APS processing fee

NOTE

You need not submit your original documents along with the application. You must submit A4-sized coloured copies of each document.

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FAQs

What is the importance of an APS certificate?

The APS certificate (Akademische Prüfstelle) is a mandatory requirement for your visa application when you plan to study in Germany. This is crucial for German authorities to recognise your educational qualifications.

How to apply for an APS certificate for Germany?

1. Register online at the APS India official website and submit your documents.
2. Complete the application form.
3. Pay the APS certificate processing fees of INR 18,000.
4. Submit the required documents via courier to the APS India office.
5. Submit the required documents via courier.

How to get an APS certificate faster?

To speed up the process of obtaining your APS certificate, ensure all your documents are correctly filled out and submitted on time. The APS certificate processing time ranges from 4 to 6 weeks.

What are the specifications for the documents to be submitted?

The documents to be submitted for the APS verification should be on A4-sized pages, as coloured photocopies of the original documents. Both sides of all the documents must be photocopied. Ensure that you provide clear photocopies.