If you're an Indian student applying to a German university for a Bachelor's or Master's degree, the APS certificate is not optional. It's the first gate. Without it, your application doesn't get processed, your visa doesn't get approved, and your university admission letter is just a piece of paper.
This guide walks through every step of the APS process as it stands in 2026, including the dMAT requirement that was added in June 2026.
What APS Is
APS stands for Akademische Prüfstelle (Academic Evaluation Centre). It operates under the German Embassy in New Delhi. Its job is to verify that your Indian academic documents are genuine and that your qualifications are what you say they are.
Every Indian student applying for degree-level study in Germany (Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD) must obtain an APS certificate. This has been mandatory since November 2022.
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Check anabin. Before anything else, verify your university's recognition status on the anabin database (anabin.kmk.org). If your institution is H- (not recognised), the APS process won't fix that. Know where you stand before spending money.
Step 2: Register online. Go to www.aps-india.de and create an account. Fill out the application form completely and accurately. Print it, sign it personally, and attach a passport-size photo (not older than 6 months). Incomplete or incorrect information will invalidate your application.
Step 3: Pay the APS fee. ₹18,000 INR, non-refundable once paid, regardless of the outcome.
Payment options:
- Bank transfer to: Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany - Wiss, Account 0946426766, Kotak Mahindra Bank, IFSC KKBK0000182
- Online payment via CCAvenue during registration
Keep your payment receipt. You'll need it.
Step 4: Take the dMAT (if required). If your undergraduate degree is in Engineering, Commerce/Accounting/Finance/Economics, or Business/Management, and you're applying for a Master's starting Summer Semester 2027 or later, you need to take the dMAT before submitting your APS documents.
Register for the dMAT separately at www.d-mat.de/en/registration. The dMAT fee (€150) is separate from the APS fee and goes to g.a.s.t., not APS India.
If you're in the transitional phase (registered APS online on or after 29 June 2026), you may submit your other documents first and add the dMAT certificate later, but APS cannot complete your procedure without it.
Step 5: Compile your documents. Per the June 2026 APS Information Leaflet, you need:
- Printed, signed application form with photo
- APS fee transfer receipt
- Aadhaar card (with linked mobile number)
- Passport (1st and last page)
- Class X Marksheet and Certificate
- Class XII Marksheet and Certificate
- Class XII Admit Card (if available)
- Marksheets of all semesters
- Bachelor degree (or provisional certificate, not older than 1 year)
- Master's degree and transcripts (if applicable)
- dMAT certificate from g.a.s.t. (if the dMAT requirement applies)
- Language certificate (German and/or English)
- Signed Student Authorization Letter (German and/or English)
Do not send originals. Copies only. APS explicitly says this.
Step 6: Courier to APS India. Send everything by courier to the APS India address (available on their website). Keep your courier tracking number.
Step 7: Inform your institution. Tell your school, college, and university that they may receive a verification query from APS. This is critical: institutions must respond from an official email address. Gmail, Yahoo, or personal email responses will not be accepted. If your institution is slow to respond, your APS processing will be delayed.
Step 8: Wait for verification. APS reviews your documents and may contact your institutions for verification. Realistic processing time: 4-8 weeks. Some guides say 2-3 weeks. That's optimistic.
Step 9: Receive your APS certificate. On completion, your online profile is updated and you receive a digital APS certificate via email. This certificate goes into your university applications and your visa file.
Common Reasons APS Applications Get Delayed or Rejected
- Missing documents (especially the payment receipt or authorization letter)
- Photo older than 6 months
- Application form not personally signed by the student
- Institution does not respond to verification queries (or responds from a non-official email)
- Provisional certificate is older than 1 year
- Discrepancies between documents (name spelling, dates, marks)
- dMAT certificate not submitted (for affected applicants from June 2026 onwards)
Every one of these is avoidable with careful preparation.
APS and Visa: The Sequence
APS certificate, then university admission, then blocked account, then visa appointment. This sequence matters. You cannot apply for a student visa without the APS certificate. Don't book a visa appointment before your APS is in hand.