Why APS Certificate is Mandatory for Indian students in Germany?

The APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) certificate has become a crucial requirement for Indian students aspiring to study in Germany. Introduced on November 1, 2022, this certificate serves as a validation of the authenticity of academic documents, ensuring that students meet the eligibility criteria set by German universities. 

If you're an Indian student planning to study in Germany, the APS Certificate is one of the most important documents in your study abroad journey. Without it, you can’t proceed with your student visa application, and many German universities won’t even process your admission.

The main reason why the APS Certificate has been introduced to students looking to study in Germany from India is because of the large number of student applications the country receives each year. It is also worth mentioning that the APS Certification will also help accelerate student admission and visa processing to the country. The main function of the APS or the Academic Evaluation Centre is to check the authenticity of educational documents and their corresponding educational certificates of Indian students wanting to study in Germany and issue authenticity certificates or APS Certification. 

The German Embassy in India mandates the APS certificate as part of the student visa application process, making it nearly impossible for Indian students to pursue their educational goals in Germany without it. This requirement not only streamlines the admission process but also enhances the credibility of Indian educational qualifications in the eyes of German authorities. 

Is APS Certificate mandatory for Indian Students? 

According to the German Missions, starting November 1, 2022, APS certificates have become a mandatory part of the documents to be submitted along with your German study visa application at the VFS Global Centre. Appointments for APS Certification for Indian students wanting to study in Germany started in October 2022. Students are required to get their APS Certification and then book their German Student Visa appointment slot at a VFS Global Centre once their APS certification has come through.

Why is the APS Certificate Mandatory?

1. Required for Student Visa Application

To apply for a German student visa, Indian students must first obtain an APS certificate. The German Embassy will reject visa applications that do not include a valid APS certificate. This requirement has been in effect since November 2022.

2. Verifies Authenticity of Indian Educational Documents

Due to increasing cases of forged mark sheets and degrees, the German authorities now require document authentication before granting admission. The APS certificate verifies your:

• Class 10 and 12 mark sheets
• Bachelor's transcripts and degree
• University or school accreditation

This step ensures transparency and maintains the quality of international students entering the German education system.

3. Validates Eligibility for German Universities

Germany's education system differs significantly from India's. The APS certificate assesses whether your academic background aligns with German university standards.

• For Bachelor’s applicants: APS confirms if your 12th-grade results meet the Studienkolleg or direct entry requirements.
• For Master’s applicants: APS checks your Bachelor’s degree recognition and university credentials.

What Documents are Required for the APS Certificate?

Essential Documents Checklist

• Printed and dual-signed APS application form
• Recent passport-size photo (not older than 6 months)
• Payment receipt
• Aadhar card copy with linked mobile number
• Passport copy (both front and back pages)
• 10th & 12th mark sheets
• All semester-wise Bachelor’s transcripts
• Bachelor’s degree or provisional certificate (valid for 1 year max)
• Language certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, Goethe) if applicable

How to Apply for APS Certificate?

It is recommended to apply early, ideally before applying to German universities. The APS verification process can take 1 to 4 months. One can check process to apply for APS certificate.

• Visit the official portal: https://apsindia.de
• Register and fill out the application form
• Upload documents and passport-size photo
• Pay the application fee
• Download the completed form and authorization letter
• Attach all documents and send via courier to APS New Delhi

Applying for a German Student Visa via VFS Global Services 

From November 2022 onwards all German Student Visas would be processed through VFS (Visa Facilitation Services) Global Services. And as a mandatory requisite, applicants would be required to provide their APS Certification along with their German visa application form. The APS Certification is an authenticity certificate confirming the authenticity of the academic documents being submitted by the student. The APS Certification is managed by the Academic Evaluation Centre that is available in every German Embassy. Candidates looking to study in Germany can visit the official APS - India website to know about the APS Certification process. 

Steps to Apply for a German Study Visa 

Step 1: Apply for APS Certification by visiting the official APS India website

Step 2: Fill the required information and pay the APS certificate fees.

• The APS Certificate fee is INR 18,000.
• The APS Certification can take about three weeks to complete. 

Step 3: Book your German Study Visa appointment via VFS Global after having obtained the APS-certificate.

Step 4: Slots for German Student Visa booking via VFS Global services have been made available.

APS was already present in China (2001), Vietnam (2007) and now India (2022). Candidates applying for their Germany Student Visa should note that the APS certificate has become a mandatory document that needs to be submitted as part of their Germany Study Visa application process. The APS India issues the APS certificate, which confirms that your documents are genuine and valid and that, consequently, you are eligible to study in Germany. It is worth mentioning that the APS Certificate is valid for an unlimited period of time. In order to speed up the student admission process and shorten visa processing time - the APS Certificate will definitely have a positive impact on Indian students looking to study in Germany. 

Importance of the APS Certificate

1. Visa Application Requirement: The APS certificate is a prerequisite for obtaining a student visa for Germany. Without this certification, students cannot proceed with their visa applications, which means they cannot enroll in German universities. This requirement aims to streamline the visa process and ensure that only eligible candidates are granted entry for academic pursuits.
2. Validation of Academic Credentials: The primary function of the APS certificate is to validate the authenticity of Indian academic documents. It confirms that transcripts, degrees, and other educational qualifications are genuine and issued by recognized institutions. This step is crucial for German authorities to assess whether applicants meet the educational standards required for admission.
3. Standardization of Admission Criteria: The APS certificate helps establish a uniform evaluation process for Indian students applying to German universities. By providing a standardized assessment of educational qualifications, it ensures that all applicants are judged fairly and consistently, regardless of their background. This is particularly important given the large volume of applications Germany receives from India each year.
4. Facilitating University Admissions: With an APS certificate in hand, students can apply more smoothly to German universities. The certificate acts as a bridge between the Indian educational system and German institutions, making it easier for universities to evaluate candidates based on their academic history.

Who can study in Germany without APS Certificate?

While most Indian students need an APS certificate, there are exceptions:

• Students who receive scholarships funded by Germany or EU-based organizations may be exempt from this requirement.
• Ph.D. candidates whose dissertation supervisors do not require an APS certificate may also bypass this step.
• Students holding international qualifications (such as A-Levels or International Baccalaureate) may not need an APS certificate if they meet specific criteria.
• Those attending short courses (less than 90 days) in Germany do not require this certification.

The introduction of the APS certificate as a mandatory requirement for Indian students who wants to study in Germany. By ensuring that only qualified candidates gain access to German higher education institutions, the APS certification plays a vital role in maintaining academic integrity and streamlining the admission process.