Table of contents:

1. What is APS certificate

2. When to apply for APS certificate

3. Document required by APS India

4. Details of APS verification fee

5. APS India: Application Processing Timeline

6. Steps to get APS certificate faster

7. Key Recommendations for Indian Applicants from German Authorities:

8. Steps to Correct Errors on Your APS Digital Certificate:

9. Conclusion

1.What is APS certificate   

It is a Certificate issued by the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) to authenticate academic records for enrollment in German Universities.

Starting from November 1, 2022, the German Embassy and Consulate have mandated that students from India, Vietnam, Mainland China, and Mongolia must verify their educational documents before applying to universities. This measure aims to speed up university admissions and visa applications.

It's important to note that this certificate is not obligatory for students:

• Who have been awarded German or Europe-funded scholarships.

• Additionally, Ph.D. students are exempt from the APS Certificate requirement if their thesis mentor does not require admission.

• If the course duration is less than 90 days, obtaining an APS Certificate is not necessary. 

 2. When to apply for APS Certificate

To meet the prerequisites set by certain universities, candidates are required to apply for the APS certificate prior to the commencement of the admission process. This application, inclusive of additional requisites such as IELTS or TOEFL scores, became accessible starting October 1, 2022.

3. Documents required by APS India

The documentation needed to obtain the APS certificate varies depending on whether one intends to pursue a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. program in Germany. Refer to Required documents APS for specifics.

Here is the list of documents for those who would like to do their Master's in Germany:

• A printed and signed application form, including a passport-sized photo (not older than six months)

• A copy of the APS fee transfer receipt

• A copy of the Aadhaar card with a linked mobile number

• Copies of the passport (1st and last page)

• Copies of mark sheets and certificates

• Copies of language proficiency certificates in German and/or English

3. Details of APS Verification Fee

The APS certificate incurs a processing fee of 18,000 INR, which must be transferred by Indian students to the APS bank account. The bank details are as follows: 

Account Holder: Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany – Wiss 

Account Number: 0946426766 

Bank Name: Kotak Mahindra 

Bank IFSC Code: KKBK0000182

Please be aware that once the payment is made, it is non-refundable, and no exceptions to this policy will be entertained.

Option2: 

Selecting CC Avenue Payment as an alternative to "Offline Payment" on the seventh page of the registration form directs you to a payment gateway offering various payment options.

It's important to refrain from manually entering any fields on the seventh page when opting for the "CC Avenue" choice. CC Avenue, being an external payment gateway, imposes service charges based on the chosen payment method during checkout (e.g., Credit Card usage +2.1% + GST). These charges are retained by CC Avenue and are not forwarded to APS India, in addition to the verification fee.

Opting for the CC Avenue Payment gateway yields two primary benefits: 

(1) Automatic activation of your APS Account, and 

(2) immediate reflection of your payment on the application portal, eliminating the need to wait for manual payment matching.

Regardless of your chosen option, please ensure to dispatch your hard copy documents directly to us via courier. No confirmation from our end is necessary before sending your application.

5. APS India: Application Processing Timeline

To complete the processing of your APS application, APS India typically requires approximately 3-4 weeks. The initiation of the processing phase begins promptly upon the receipt of your payment.

While the timeline for APS certificates in India is relatively short, the process can be time-consuming due to the high demand at APS India.  But one can check the status of their application under the "My Account" tab on APS India website. 

As an Indian student you can apply for the APS in 5 simple steps

 Application Creation: Initiate the process by applying for the certificate on the official website https://aps-india.de/ , and your application will be acknowledged.

Document Received: Confirmation of receiving your documents, either through courier or in-person submission.

Payment Confirmation: They will verify your payment using the transaction reference number provided by you.

University/College Document Verification: Online validation of your submitted documents or contacting the University/College via email. If the institution is inaccessible, they will notify you to reach out to the University/College for verification.

Verification Completed & Certificate Dispatch: Successful applicants will be receive a digital APS certificate, known as “DigZert delivered to their registered email address. Expect to receive five certificates through courier, typically handled by DTDC, within a few days.

 Successful candidates can apply to their chosen German university and subsequently submit their student visa application through the VFS.

Key Recommendations for Indian Applicants from German Authorities:

• Take your time and avoid rushing through the process. Double-check the accuracy of the provided email address, as an error can significantly complicate the entire APS procedure.

 • Regularly check your spam folder, as your APS certificate might be filtered there. Periodic examination of this folder is advisable.

 • Refrain from excessively contacting APS India with unnecessary messages. Sending repeated emails with numerous attachments may lead to email blocking, resulting in lost communication. This could potentially leave applicants without the APS certificate.

 • The fee for acquiring five APS certificates is ₹18,000. Any additional certificate beyond the initial five incurs an extra cost of ₹500 each. All certificates are delivered via postal service.

 • Submission of the duly filled Student Authorization Letter is obligatory when submitting your documents. You can download the letter from Authorization letter and ensure accurate completion.

 • APS certificates remain valid indefinitely once issued. However, in the event of changes in eligibility criteria, re-issuance may be required. 

 Steps to get APS certificate faster:

APS expedites the processing of your application if you have received an admit. After you receive the admit notification from the university, take the following steps:

Email your university: Once you receive an admit from a university, send them an email with your APS application details. The universities are familiar with this situation, they will contact APS and get your application expedited. Be sure to include your APS unique ID, Transaction ID, Transaction Reference Number, and transaction date details in your email.

Email APS: Inform APS that you have received an admit from the university with the details.

Give a responsive contact: APS will message your professor asking to verify your documents. It is important that you share the contact of a professor who are responsive with the emails. If the verification is done with a day, you receive your APS certificate within 48hrs, if the verification is delayed, then your application goes into a backlog and will be picked up again after 3-4 weeks. Speak with your professor and politely inform them that a quick verification is important for your timelines.

Save the APS number: Caller ID apps might silence the APS verification call on your phone as spam. To prevent this from happening, save the APS phone numbers as contacts on your phone.

 Steps to Correct Errors on Your APS Digital Certificate:

Step 1: Send an email to info@aps-india.de. 

Step 2: Ensure that "Digzert Mistake" is included in the email title.

Step 3: Clearly explain the mistake in your email, providing all necessary details. Step 4: Await a response from APS India. They will review your request, and if an error is identified, a new certificate with the correct information will be issued.

If you discover an error on your APS digital certificate, there's no need to panic. Simply follow these steps, and APS India will guide you through the process of correcting it.

Conclusion:

Individuals of any nationality, whether currently enrolled or having obtained educational qualifications from recognized Indian school boards or universities, are eligible to apply for an APS certificate. This certificate is a crucial requirement for your visa application. It not only serves as evidence of your genuine Indian academic credentials but also outlines the essential eligibility criteria adhered to by German universities when considering candidates for admission to their courses.

This article has furnished comprehensive information necessary for the application and acquisition of an APS certificate. Commence the process now and move a step closer to realizing your dream of studying at your desired university!