#CareerAdvice

What is APS Certification?

Sushant Gulia
Sushant Gulia
Updated Jul 2, 2024

The Indian students willing to study in Germany must present an APS certificate with the visa application. The Academic Evaluation Centre evaluates the academic record of the candidate, and later an authenticated certificate is issued to the students. 

 

 

What is an APS certificate?

It is a certificate that helps in proving the authenticity of the certificates and degree eligibility to study in German universities. However the students who have an EU-funded scholarship or German scholarship, or the PhD applicants whose thesis mentors ask for it during enrollment. 

From November 1st, the APS certificate is a mandatory part of the paperwork required German student Visa. As a result, without the availability of the APS certificate, the students are not eligible for applying for a Visa. The APS will start accepting applications for evaluation from October 1.

Time required for processing APS certificate

It will take around 3-4 months, to review the APS applications for studying in Germany submitted by the students to check the validity of the documents and issue the APS certificates to the students.  After getting the application from the students, they start working on it. The candidate's account on the APS India website will contain information regarding the APS application.

The APS certificate application process 

The process of application for an APS certificate includes the following steps:

  • The candidates are required to register online and download the form.  The candidates are required to complete and sign the application form.
  • The charges for the APS certificate are 18000 and are required to be submitted to the APS bank account. 
  • The students are required to submit all the prerequisites along with the complete application at the APS India desk or by courier. 
  • APS will verify all the documents submitted to process the application request. 
  • After the verification of the documents, the online profiles of the candidates will be updated regarding the application process.
  • The candidates who are being accepted by APS can apply for the German student Visa through VFS. 

The whole process can be summarized in the following way:

First, the students are required to register at the APS India website to receive the APS certificates. After completing the application form, it should be printed and signed before submitting it to the APS help desk either in person or by courier. Then the application fee of 18000 is required to be deposited in the APS bank account.

Timeline for APS certificate

For short-term courses requiring less than 90 days, an APS certificate is not required. The APS certificate is required for courses lasting for more than 90 days. When the associated educational certificates and educational profiles are verified by the APS, the students are provided with the certificate in case the result is favorable.  APS is operated jointly by German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and the German Embassy. 

Documents required along with the APS certificate 

  • Application form correctly filled and signed along with passport sign photo.
  • A copy of the APS fee transfer
  • Aadhar card copy with linked mobile number
  • Copy or passport
  • Copies of all the mark sheets and degree certificates
  • German or English language certificate

Also, it is important to note that, it is advisable to submit the APS application well before the time with all the documents required as applications can be rejected.

The APS certificate awarded to the student is valid for a lifetime. However, in case the qualifying criteria of the candidate changes they may be required to get their APS certificate updated under the new category. 

IS the APS certificate mandatory for masters in Germany?

The APS certificate is required for all candidates applying for a bachelor's or master's degree or any other degree in any German university. The Indian students are required to get all their academic certificates examined by the APS and collect their authenticity certificates to qualify for applying for the German student Visa.  The PAS certificate received by the students is required to be submitted with the Visa application form.

Exemptions in APS certificate requirements

The students receiving financial scholarships from Germany or the EU are oy required to get the APS certification. Also, the students receiving financial support from Germany and the EU are not required to submit the APS certificate. PhD students and Thesis mentors are also not required to submit the APS certificate.  Also, the courses that last less than 90 days did not require an APS certificate.