With an increasing number of Indian students choosing Germany, the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) processed over 57,000 applications between October 2022 and February 2024. This surge has made the APS certificate the most common hurdle for Indian students applying to German universities, as many face delays due to incomplete documents and a lack of clear guidance.
This guide for the batch (2025-2026) is designed to provide a friendly, practical roadmap and tips that have helped many applicants turn a potential roadblock into a smooth, successful step towards their goals.
📘What Is an APS certificate?
The APS certificate is an official document that verifies the authenticity of your academic credentials for German authorities. For Indian students, it's a mandatory pre-requisite for both university applications and the student visa process. It ensures that your degrees and mark sheets are genuine and meet German academic standards,
⏰When to Apply for an APS Certificate?
The simple answer is: as early as possible. The APS application can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks to process, and during peak application seasons, it can extend to 8 or even 10 weeks. Given that you need the certificate for both your university application and your visa appointment, applying well in advance is crucial. We recommend starting the process at least 4-5 months before your university application deadline.
📝APS Application Process
Step 1: Get Informed
Begin by visiting the official APS India website , this is your guide to what is required. Take the eligibility quiz and review detailed checklists for your specific applicant category.
Step 2: Plan Your Application
Check your deadlines, any additional tests (like TestAS if required), and strategize your timeline accordingly.
Step 3: Assemble Documents
Gather all necessary documents:
- Printed and signed application form with a recent passport photo
- Payment receipt
- Aadhaar and passport copies
- Academic documents (Class X, XII, degree certificates, transcripts)
- Language certificate if needed
- Translations/notarization only if documents aren’t in English or German
Step 4: Register Online
Create your account on the APS India portal. Fill in your personal and educational details accurately, this is the base of your application
👉Need help with these initial steps? This is where expert planning makes all the difference. Our Planning to Apply Abroad service can help you strategize your timeline and prepare all your documents perfectly from the start.
Step 5: Pay the Fee
Pay the ₹18,000 non-refundable fee via bank transfer or through the CCAvenue payment gateway during registration.
Step 6: Send Documents and Track
Courier your physical package (signed form, documents, payment receipt) to the APS office in New Delhi. Personal submissions aren’t accepted. Use a tracked courier for peace of mind.
Step 7: Verification & Interview (If Applicable)
APS begins processing once your documents arrive. Processing usually takes around one month. Some applicants, especially current undergraduates, may be called for a short interview in English or German. You will be informed via email or phone, typically two weeks before the scheduled time.
Step 8: Receive Your APS Certificate
Upon successful verification, APS updates your profile and sends the digital APS certificate by email. You may also receive physical copies. This certificate is essential for your visa and university applications.
With the APS certificate successfully in hand, the next chapter of your journey begins. You are now fully prepared to submit your German student visa application at the VFS center and formally begin the university application process.
⚡Quick Hacks to Speed Up Your APS Certificate Process
Want your APS Certificate faster? Here is how smart students cut down on delays:
- Pay Smart, Pay Online – Always use the CCAvenue payment option on the APS site. Bank transfers = slow manual checks. Online = instant verification.
- Check Twice, Save Weeks – Before sending, recheck your documents and application form. One missing paper can freeze your entire file.
- Pick a Speedy Courier – Send via trusted services like Bluedart, DTDC, Delhivery, or India Post Speedpost. Always use tracking to avoid “lost in transit” panic.
- Talk to Your University Early – APS will confirm your degree with your university. Give them the right official email ID (no Gmail/Yahoo). Alert the admin team in advance for quicker clearance.
- Don’t Rename the Certificate File – When sharing your APS certificate with universities, VFS, or Uni-Assist, forward it exactly as received. Renaming or merging it into PDFs = invalid file and fresh delays.
🚫 Who Doesn’t Need an APS Certificate?
Not every Indian student has to go through APS. If you fall into one of these groups, you’re free:
- Foreign Degree Holders – Already have a degree from UK, USA, Canada, or another non-Indian university? No APS needed.
- PhD & Post-Doc Candidates – If the German university itself doesn’t ask for APS.
- IB Graduates – International Baccalaureate (IB) holders applying for Bachelor’s in Germany are exempt.
- Scholarship Students – Got EU or German public funding? You skip APS.
- Short-Term Programs – Language courses or programs under 90 days don’t require it.
👉 If you tick even one of these boxes, you can apply for your German admission or visa without the APS hurdle. Book a personalized call with Inforens to assist you in navigating the entire application process.
✨Conclusion
The APS certificate for Germany may look like a big hurdle, but with the right planning, it's simply another step toward your dream of studying in Germany. And remember you don’t have to do it all alone.
Inforens is here to guide you through every stage of your study journey, from APS to admissions and visa, ensuring a smooth path to your German university goals.
👉 For more information and personalized support, do check out our plans at inforens.com/plans