APS Certificate Germany for Indian Students: Fees & Documents 2026

If you are an Indian student planning to study in Germany for the 2026 intake, the APS certificate for Germany is now your mandatory starting point. With over 43,000 Indian students enrolled last year and numbers projected to grow, German universities have significantly tightened verification rules.

This certificate is compulsory for almost all Bachelor’s and Master’s applicants and serves as the crucial first step to getting your application assessed and securing your visa.

Simply put: No APS, no admission or visa processing. Many students miss this early requirement and face significant, avoidable delays later.

This comprehensive guide, based on official, recent data, explains exactly what the German APS certificate is, why it is mandatory, the updated documents checklist, current 2026 fees, and the step-by-step application workflow. Plan the APS process smoothly to stay ahead of all university deadlines.

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The APS certificate Germany is an official academic verification issued by the Akademische Prüfstelle (APS), a joint body of the German Embassy and the DAAD. For Indian students applying in 2026, it acts as the first checkpoint because German universities and visa offices only process your application after your academic records are verified.

• Verifies your educational documents
  APS confirms your Class 12 marksheets, degree certificates, and transcripts are authentic and issued by recognised boards or universities in India.
• Assesses equivalence with German standards
  Indian qualifications are reviewed to ensure they meet Germany’s entry requirements. This helps universities understand whether you are eligible for a bachelor’s, a master’s, or a preparatory pathway.
• Creates a uniform evaluation process
  Germany currently hosts nearly 60,000 Indian students (a 20 % increase in one year), and the APS-India office alone processed over 57,000 applications during a recent 16-month period. This surge means German universities handle large volumes of Indian applications and rely on APS’s standardised verification to speed up admissions.

The APS certificate for Germany is not just another document; it’s the fundamental key to your application. It is mandatory for almost all Indian Bachelor's and Master’s applicants, and is a required document for the German student visa.

• It is mandatory for almost all Indian bachelor’s and master’s applicants.
• It is a required document for the German student visa.
• Your admission and visa file cannot move forward without a valid APS outcome.
• It reduces delays caused by incomplete, unverified, or inconsistent academic records.

In short, the APS certificate for Germany bridges your Indian academic background with German university standards, ensuring your application is credible, complete, and ready for evaluation. This makes it one of the most important early steps in your 2026 study plan.

Indian students applying for bachelor’s or master’s programs in 2026 should secure their APS certificate early. Universities and visa offices move ahead with your application only after APS verifies your documents, so submitting accurate and complete records helps you avoid delays.

• Class 12 graduates applying for a bachelor’s degree in Germany.
• Students pursuing or holding a bachelor’s degree and applying for a master’s.
• Applicants from CBSE, ISC, and State Boards whose documents meet APS standards.
• Students with backlogs, provided all available transcripts are submitted.

• PhD applicants (universities verify documents directly).
• DAAD scholarship holders (unless specifically instructed).
• Students entering Germany through certain Studienkollegs or foundation pathways that conduct their own verification.

Here is the updated, concise checklist for documents required for APS certificate Germany.

• Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets and passing certificates
• Bachelor’s semester-wise transcripts
• Bachelor’s degree certificate or provisional degree
• Passport (first and last page)
• One recent passport-size photograph
• APS application form (generated after registration)

• Backlog summary
• Medium of Instruction letter
• Name-change affidavit
• Internship or training records for certain professional degrees

Examples

• Class 12 + ongoing BTech: Submit Class 12 documents plus all completed semester transcripts.
• Completed BCom: Submit all six semester transcripts and the degree certificate.
• Applying for a master’s at universities like RWTH Aachen or TU Munich: APS is required before admission processing.

Preparing these documents early helps you complete the Germany APS certificate process smoothly and stay on track for 2026 deadlines.

The APS certificate Germany fees for Indian applicants remain fixed for 2026 and must be paid during online registration. Payment activates the verification process, so completing it early helps avoid delays.

The fee for the Germany APS certificate in 2026 is 172 Euro (about INR 17,620).
Payment is required before APS begins evaluating your documents.

A complete file usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to be processed.
During peak application months for the 2026 intake, processing may extend to 4 to 6 weeks.
Applications are held if documents are incomplete or if the APS team needs clarification from your university or board.

The APS certificate for Germany is issued as a digital PDF and is valid for three years.
You can use the same certificate for multiple applications within this period, as long as your academic status remains the same.

Practical Points

• Pay immediately after registration to avoid losing time.
• Submit clear, legible academic documents.
• Maintain a buffer of at least six weeks before university deadlines and visa appointments.
• Track your courier delivery if you are sending any physical documents.

Note: All INR values use the conversion rate 1 Euro = ₹102.44.

Indian students applying for the 2026 intake need to follow a precise APS workflow because German universities and visa offices only process applications after APS verification. The steps below reflect how APS India currently evaluates documents, the order in which verification happens, and the points where students most often face delays.

Create an account and enter your details exactly as in your passport.
Use an active email because APS sends all verification updates through email only.

Complete the payment to activate your file. Verification begins only after the fee is received, so paying on time is essential.

Make sure you upload clear scans of your Class 10, Class 12, and bachelor’s documents. Check that your name, date of birth, and board or university details appear the same on every record. Even a small mismatch can slow down your APS verification, so take a moment to review everything before you submit.

Review your entries and submit your file. APS may request an interview or additional proof only if your documents need clarification.

APS verifies your documents directly with boards and universities. Once approved, your APS certificate Germany is available as a digital PDF in your APS account.

• Start APS at least 4 months before your earliest university deadline.
• Keep 6 weeks of buffer before your visa appointment.
• Students applying to competitive universities should apply even earlier.

• Upload readable scans.
• Ensure names match exactly across all documents.
• Respond quickly to APS emails.
• Keep all academic documents in one place before starting the application.

Note: INR values use the conversion rate 1 Euro = ₹102.44.

The APS certificate Germany is one of the first documents universities check for Indian applicants in the 2026 intake. Universities use this verified document to confirm that your academic records are authentic and meet basic eligibility standards before reviewing your program application.

• Applications without a valid Germany APS certificate are usually not processed.
• APS helps universities verify Class 12 and bachelor’s qualifications quickly.
• It ensures your documents meet the academic level required for your chosen program.

Many public universities list the APS certificate for Germany as compulsory for Indian students, including:

• Technical University of Munich
• RWTH Aachen University
• University of Stuttgart
• TU Darmstadt
• LMU Munich

• Admission decisions are released only after APS verification.
• Delayed APS results can affect program deadlines and visa planning.
• Completing APS early keeps your 2026 university applications on schedule.

A timely APS certificate strengthens your overall profile and ensures your application moves smoothly through the admission process.

The APS certificate Germany is a mandatory document for Indian students applying for the German student visa in 2026. The visa office reviews your APS result before accepting your file for processing.

• Visa applications without a valid Germany APS certificate are not accepted.
• APS confirms the authenticity of your academic records, which the consulate requires before assessing your offer letter and financial documents.

• You cannot book or submit your visa appointment without the APS certificate.
• A late APS result can shorten your time for enrolment or delay your travel for the 2026 intake.
• Universities may close admission formalities if APS is still pending close to their deadline.

• PhD applicants whose documents are verified directly by the university.
• DAAD scholarship recipients, unless specifically instructed.
• Students entering German foundation pathways where the institution conducts its own checks.

Completing the APS certificate for Germany on time ensures your visa application moves forward without setbacks.

Finishing the APS certificate Germany early helps keep your 2026 application process organised and reduces delays in both admission and visa steps.

• Universities can assess your file quickly because your documents are already verified.
• The German APS certificate confirms your qualifications meet German entry standards and reduces the risk of document-related issues.

• Graduates from recognised programs can apply for the German post-study work visa, valid for up to 18 months.
• Fields like engineering, IT, management, and automotive continue to show strong hiring demand.

• Complete APS before sending university applications.
• Keep a time buffer for admission decisions and visa appointments.

A timely APS certificate for Germany supports a smoother admission experience and prepares you for better career opportunities after graduation.

Many Indian students face delays in the APS certificate Germany process because of avoidable errors. Staying aware of these issues helps you complete APS smoothly for the 2026 intake.

• Submitting incomplete or unclear academic documents.
• Uploading documents with mismatched names or dates.
• Using incorrect translation formats for regional language certificates.
• Starting APS after submitting university applications.
• Missing the APS fee payment timeline.
• Ignoring emails asking for clarification or extra proof.

• Collect all Class 10, Class 12, and bachelor’s documents before starting the application.
• Ensure every scan is clear and readable.
• Use certified translators if any document is not in English.
• Begin APS early so it is ready before your university deadlines.
• Track your payment status and keep the receipt safe.
• Check your email regularly for updates from APS.

• All documents were scanned clearly.
• Names and dates match across all certificates.
• APS fee paid and confirmed.
• Application submitted with correct details.
• Email monitored for APS communication.

Completing these steps accurately helps you secure the APS certificate for Germany without unexpected delays.

If you are exploring postgraduate options in Germany, you can also read Top Universities in Germany for Masters 2026: Fees and Courses for simple guidance on programs and costs.

The APS certificate Germany is a key requirement for Indian students planning to study in Germany in 2026. Completing it early ensures your documents are verified, your applications are processed on time, and your visa file moves forward without delays. Having APS ready also gives you clarity on eligibility and keeps your admission timeline organised.

A timely APS certificate for Germany helps you focus on choosing the right course, preparing finances, and planning your move with confidence.

If you need help with university selection, timelines, or documentation, you can explore guidance and resources on LeapScholar.