APS Certificate: Complete Guide for Students from India, China & More (2026)

Pankaj Mahor

Author

March 03, 2026

APS Certificate: Complete Guide for Students from India, China & More (2026)

TL;DR: You must obtain an APS certificate if you’re from India, China, Vietnam or Mongolia before German universities process your application; Indians pay about INR 18,000. APS verifies academic documents (sometimes with an interview) and issues a digitally signed PDF since April 2023. The certificate doesn’t expire, but universities or uni-assist won’t make a final admission decision until they receive it.

New for 2027 — Certain master's applicants must now also sit the dMAT as part of APS. Read the complete dMAT exam guide for APS in India.

The APS certificate (Akademische Prüfstelle) is a mandatory academic credential verification required for students from India, China, Vietnam, and Mongolia applying to German German universities. APS verifies the authenticity of your academic documents before German universities will process your application. Since April 2023, APS issues digitally signed certificates via email (PDF), no physical copies are mailed.

Which Countries Require APS?

Country	APS Office	Fee	Process
India	German Embassy, New Delhi	INR 18,000	Document verification (interviews only in specific cases)
China	APS Beijing / Shanghai / Guangzhou / Chengdu / Shenyang	2,500 RMB	Document verification + academic interview
Vietnam	German Embassy, Hanoi	$150 USD (undergraduate) / $250 USD (postgraduate)	Document verification + interview
Mongolia	German Embassy, Ulaanbaatar	500,000 MNT (approx. €100–€150)	Document verification

Students from all other countries (e.g., Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya) do not need APS. Their credentials are verified directly by uni-assist or the university.

This guide explains everything about the APS process for Indian students: what it is, who needs it, what documents to prepare, what happens during the interview, and how to prepare effectively.

Students from IITs, NITs, and Central Universities

The process is generally smoother. APS is familiar with these institutions and their grading systems. Document verification tends to be faster.

Students from State or Private Universities

APS may take slightly longer to verify documents from less well-known institutions. Ensure your university can respond to APS verification requests promptly, inform your university's examination department that the German Embassy may contact them.

Students with Backlogs or ATKT

Having had backlogs (cleared) doesn't disqualify you from APS. However, if you have pending backlogs at the time of application, you may not be eligible. APS evaluates your final, completed degree. Cleared backlogs appear on your transcripts but are generally not an issue.

Ready to start your APS process? Our consultants can help you prepare your documents, review your application, and guide you through interview preparation. Contact us for a free initial consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The APS certificate does not expire. Once you have it, you can use it for applications to German universities at any time in the future. You only need to go through the process once.

Some universities allow you to submit your application while APS is in progress, but they will not make an admission decision until they receive your APS certificate. For uni-assist applications, the APS certificate is a mandatory document, your application cannot be processed without it.

The APS interview is conducted in person at the German Embassy in New Delhi (Chanakyapuri). There is no option for video interviews. You must travel to New Delhi for the interview.

Yes, Indian students need APS for PhD applications as well. However, PhD applicants who have a confirmed supervisor at a German university may be eligible for a simplified process. Check the APS India website for the latest guidelines.

In some cases, graduates from certain recognised programmes (like IIT graduates or students with UGC-NET/GATE qualifications) may be eligible for a simplified document-only verification without an interview. However, this exception is not guaranteed and policies change. Check the current APS India guidelines.

If APS cannot verify your documents with your university, the process stalls. Before applying to APS, contact your university's examination/controller office and inform them that the German Embassy may request document verification. Ensure they have your records readily accessible. Ready to start your journey? Get a free profile evaluation from our Germany education experts, or browse 20,000+ programmes to find your perfect match.

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