What is the APS Certificate for Germany and How Can Indian Students Get It?

Academic document verification is a crucial aspect of the application process for Indian students looking to pursue their studies in Germany. This is where the APS Certificate for Germany comes in. Issued by Akademische Prüfstelle (APS India), it verifies the authenticity of Indian academic documents and qualifications before students proceed with their university and student visa applications.

APS Quick Facts

Fact	Details
Full form	Akademische Prüfstelle (Academic Evaluation Centre)
Issued by	APS India, German Embassy, New Delhi
Who needs it	Applicants with academic qualifications from Indian institutions, subject to exemptions
APS certificate fees	₹18,000
Processing time	At least 2 weeks; may take longer
Validity	No fixed expiry period is stated in the current APS FAQ
Certificate format	Digitally signed PDF sent by email
Application mode	Online registration and document submission by courier
Official website	https://aps-india.de/

Source: APS India

In this article, you will get all the details about the APS certificate in Germany from India, including eligibility criteria, fees, documents required, the application process, processing time, and common mistakes to avoid while applying. 

What is the APS Certificate?

The APS certificate checks whether your Indian academic documents are genuine. It is required for most Indian students planning to study in Germany. Here are its main purposes:

• Function: Checks and confirms academic documents like marksheets, degrees, and certificates.
• Aim of APS Verification: Germany introduced it to verify academic credentials and to eliminate fake documents being submitted by most Indian students.
• Purpose of APS Verification: The APS certificate for Germany is a confirmation of the evaluation of your academic records. It is not an insurance for either university admission or a student visa. 

Who Needs an APS Certificate?

Most students using Indian academic qualifications to study in Germany need APS verification. The requirement depends on where you completed your education. However, some students may qualify for exemptions under specific rules.

The APS certificate for Germany for Indian students is generally required for:

• Bachelors applicants: Students who have completed Class 12 in India.
• Undergraduate students: Students who have completed at least two semesters of a bachelors degree, where applicable.
• Masters applicants: Students who have completed their bachelor's degree in India.
• Exchange students: Students applying through eligible university exchange programmes.

Also, read about the Germany study visa requirements.

Who Is Exempt from APS?

Some applicants may not need an APS certificate, including:

• Students with relevant academic qualifications from countries other than India.
• Eligible PhD and postdoctoral applicants.
• Applicants who have international qualifications, including the International Baccalaureate.
• Scholarship holders funded by German government or European Union.
• Students who only register for German language courses without academic study plans.

Please visit the APS requirements page to see if you are eligible for an exemption. 

Latest Updates on dMAT Requirement for Masters Applicants Applying for APS Germany

On June 2026,  from the summer semester 2027, selected master's applicants from India must also take the Digital Master Test (dMAT). It is an additional test and does not replace APS document verification. The dMAT fee is €150 (approximately ₹15,627). 

It applies to applicants with bachelors degrees in:

• Engineering and Technology
• Commerce, Accounting, Finance and Economics
• Business Administration and Management
• Tourism, Travel and Hospitality

Important points to keep in mind before taking dMAT:

• Some integrated and dual-degree applicants are also included.
• The confirmed 2027 dMAT test dates are 16 January, 2027 and 13 March, 2027.
• The test is conducted by G.a.s.t.
• You can submit your APS documents before the test result, but APS will issue your certificate only after receiving the required dMAT certificate.

Source: APS India

APS Certificate Fees

The APS certificate fee is ₹18,000 for individual applicants with Indian academic documents. This is a one-time verification fee. You must pay it while completing your online registration.

The amount is confirmed in the APS India November 2026 graduate application leaflet.

How can you pay the fee?

You can pay through the following methods:

• Online payment: Register with the CCAvenue payment option.
• Bank transfer: Transfer the fee to the bank account specified in the official APS instructions. 

Online payment is recommended because manual bank transfers require manual account activation and can make the process longer.

The APS certificate fees are non-refundable. You will not receive a refund if you cancel your application or if APS cannot issue a positive certificate after verification.

The dMAT test is separate from the APS application fee. Check its official registration portal for the applicable test charges.

When calculating the general cost of study in Germany, the cost of APS should not be included in the university fees, living costs, or visa costs. It should be calculated separately.

Documents Required for APS

The documents depend on your education level. Class 12 students, undergraduate students, and bachelor's graduates have different checklists. Use the correct list before sending your application.

For the APS certificate for Germany from India, the following table gives a general idea of the documents you may need.

Document	Original or copy?	Notes
Printed APS application form	Signed printout	Add a recent passport-size photograph
APS payment receipt	Photocopy	Keep proof of payment
Aadhaar card	Photocopy	Must have a linked mobile number
Passport	Photocopy	First and last pages
Class 10 marksheet and certificate	Photocopies	Required for applicable procedures
Class 12 marksheet and certificate	Photocopies	Provisional certificate may be accepted under the relevant rules
Class 12 admit card	Photocopy	If available and required by your checklist
Bachelor's marksheets	Photocopies	All semester marksheets for graduate applicants
Bachelor's degree certificate	Photocopy	An eligible provisional certificate may be accepted
Master's degree and transcripts	Photocopies	If applicable
dMAT certificate	Photocopy	Only for applicants covered by the new rule
Language certificate	Photocopy	Not mandatory for APS verification
Student Authorisation Letter	Signed copy	Mandatory form

Important document rules:

• Submit clear colour photocopies (A4-sized)
• Do not include original certificates unless requested by APS.
• Usually, documents issued in English do not require notarisation.
• Only English translations of documents written in an Indian regional language are required to be notarised.
• Inform your school, college or university that APS may contact it to verify your academic records.

For a Class 12 applicant, a provisional certificate must not be older than three months. For a bachelor's graduate, the provisional degree certificate must not be older than one year.

This list may vary depending on your application category. Before making up your file, please read the latest APS document checklists and the requirements to study in Germany. 

How to Apply for the APS Certificate: Step by Step

If done properly, it is a straightforward process. First, choose a category of application, register online, and submit payment and documents. APS will then check your academics.

The following steps can help you to understand how to get APS certificate for Germany for Indian students:

Step 1: Confirm your application category

Go to ‘https://aps-india.de/’ and take the APS requirements quiz. Choose the procedure level best suited to your level of education, such as Class 12, undergraduate, or Graduate.

Step 2: Register online

Go to the official application page of APS and create an account. Enter your personal details, passport information, school details, and university information.

Ensure that your name and date of birth information match what is on your official documents and your education information.

Step 3: Pay APS fee

Pay ₹18,000 via CCAvenue or the bank transfer option. Keep the receipt for the payment, as you will need to provide a copy along with your application.

Step 4: Print and sign the application form

Once you have filled in the online form, you need to print and sign it yourself. Attach a recent passport-size photo and the signed Student Authorisation Letter.

Step 5: Prepare and send your documents

Organize documents on the proper checklist. Please mail or express-deliver the form and photocopied documents to:

Academic Evaluation Centre India
Gate No. 3, DLTA Complex
R.K. Khanna Stadium
1 Africa Avenue
New Delhi - 110029, India

Keep your courier receipt and tracking number. APS does not allow personal document drop-offs.

Step 6: Wait for document verification

APS will review course documentation and may call your school, university, or examination board to verify your course information.

If a person has to take the dMAT, do so and provide the certificate as directed. APS can begin reviewing other documents before the outcome.

Step 7: Get your APS certificate

After verification is done, the result will be displayed on your online profile. Successful applicants will be sent a digitally signed APS certificate as a PDF via email.

Save the original PDF file. Avoid editing, renaming, or combining it with other files, as this may impact the digital signature.

The certificate can then be sent to your desired university, uni-assist, or the visa section in Germany, depending on the university. 

APS Processing Time and When to Apply

Processing time is dependent on the number of applications submitted to APS and the response time of your school/university. The completion date is not guaranteed for APS, so make your application well before your admission and visa deadlines.

APS certificate processing time varies for each student. Make sure you meet the requirements as soon as you are ready for the application.

As of 2026, APS India states that verification takes at least two weeks. This is not a guarantee that every application will be completed within that period.

The processing time for an APS certificate may be longer if:

• Your application is incomplete.
• Your marksheets or certificates need further checking.
• Your university takes time to reply.
• APS asks for additional documents.
• You need to submit a dMAT certificate.

When Should You Apply?

The following table gives you an idea of when to apply, including intakes in Germany, when to prepare and what to keep into consideration.

Intake	Recommended time to apply	What to keep in mind
Winter intake (September/ October)	Apply between January and March of the same year.	Allow time for document verification and visa preparation
Summer intake (March/ April)	Apply between July and September of the previous year.	Check university deadlines and prepare documents early

The processing time of APS certificate is not the same for every student. Start checking the requirements as soon as you reach the academic stage needed for your application.

You can check your application status through the APS student portal. APS does not provide individual status updates for every pending application.

Have a look at some of the top universities in Germany for masters

Common Mistakes That Delay APS Certificate Germany

Even small errors can cause your application to lag. Check your documents carefully before sending them. Use only official documents and follow official instructions on the APS website.

These are some common mistakes to avoid when applying for an APS certificate.

1. Incorrect information: Your name, date of birth, and academic information must correspond to your passport and certificates.
2. Failing to send the right documents: Review the APS checklist before submitting your application. 
3. Sending original certificates: APS generally asks for photocopies. Do not send original documents unless requested.
4. Choosing the wrong category: Class 12 students and bachelor's graduates have different application procedures.
5. Not informing your university: Tell your institution that APS may contact it for verification. The institution must reply through an official email address.
6. Ignoring the dMAT rule: Selected master's applicants must submit the newly introduced dMAT certificate.
7. Using the wrong payment method: Manual bank transfers can delay account activation. Keep your payment receipt.
8. Editing the certificate PDF: Do not change the digitally signed APS certificate after receiving it.

Planning to study programs or pursue a masters degree in Germany? Get help with your study abroad plans, APS requirements, and university applications. Book a free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad's study abroad experts to understand your admission options and plan your next steps.