Everything you need to know about APS Certification (for Bachelor studies)

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Oct 10,2022 BySnehal Pukale 817

APS Certification (For Indian students who want to apply for Bachelor studies)

Students who desire to apply for studies in Germany with an Indian school or university degree must have their documentation verified by the Academic Evaluation Center (APS). The Academic Evaluation Centre (APS India) 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). With an APS India certificate in hand, applicants can prove both their academic credentials and their eligibility to study in German universities.

Importance of an APS Certificate:

An APS certificate is the prerequisite for your visa application

  • It is proof of authenticity for Indian academic documents and
  • It states the guiding eligibility criteria, which the German universities apply to the candidates while offering the students admitted to the courses.

Why apply for an APS certification:

Starting from November 1st, 2022, the APS certificate will become mandatory for all student visa applications for Germany. Holding an APS certificate will speed up your student visa application and make it easier for you to apply to German universities. An original certificate issued by the APS is mandatory for the student visa application. For courses having a duration longer than 90 days, an APS certificate is mandatory.
Exception: No APS certification application is required for students supported by scholarships from the EU or Germany.

Requirements to apply for an APS certification:

- Anyone who is pursuing education from one of the recognized Indian school boards or universities or who has already earned a degree from one of these institutions is eligible to apply for an APS certificate, regardless of nationality.

- Candidates who have not yet graduated with an Indian Bachelor’s degree and who are seeking admission to a Bachelor’s program in Germany are required to submit a TestAS score. Candidates who have cleared JEE Main and Advanced are exempted.

Application Procedure in 6 steps: 

  1. Register online at www.aps-india.de
    Print and sign the completed application form. 
  2. Transfer the APS verification fee of 18,000/- INR to the APS bank account. (NON-REFUNDABLE) 
  3. Submit the required documents, including the printed and signed application form via courier or in person at the reception desk of APS India. Kindly keep a record of your courier tracking details. 
  4. Document verification will be conducted by APS India and you will be informed in case of additional documents.
  5. On completion of the document verification, your online profile will be updated with a verification outcome. After successful verification, you will receive five original APS certificates via courier. 
  6. Once you receive the APS certificate in hand, you may apply for a student visa through VFS. 

General Documents required: 

  1. Printed and duly signed application form with passport-size photo (not older than 6 months) 
  2. Copy of APS fee transfer receipt. 
  3. Copy of Aadhaar Card with linked mobile number. 
  4. Copy of passport. (1st and last page) 
  5. Copy of Class X & XII Marksheet and Certificate 
  6. Copy of TestAS Results (Core and Subject-specific) (For candidates without IIT-JEE results) 
  7. Proof of passing the Joint Entrance (JEE) Main and Advanced along with the admit card
  8. Copy of Language Certificate – German and/or English 

Important Information:

  • The entire verification process will take 3 to 4 weeks (approx.).
  • Successful candidates will receive five APS certificates via courier at the address provided on the application form. 
  • Documents submitted to the APS need not be notarized. 
  • Exception: Documents that have been translated into English from any of the regional Indian languages must first be notarized.
  • Specific document requirements: 
  • a)Legible A4-sized colored photocopies of all original documents.
  • b)Both sides of all the documents must be photocopied

Important Updates: 

  • Applications will be possible from October 1st, 2022
  • Starting from November 1st, 2022, the APS certificate will become mandatory for all student visa applications 
  • APS TestAS requirement temporarily waived for summer semester 2023
  • TestAS will become mandatory as of January 1st, 2023

Also Read: Everything you need to know about APS Certification (for Master studies)