Who needs APS
Following the recommendation of Germany’s Standing Conference of Education Ministers (KMK), applicants with Chinese school or university qualifications who plan to study in Germany for more than 3 months must complete a check by the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) at the German Embassy in Beijing before applying for a visa. German universities also usually require the APS certificate when admitting Chinese students.
Doctoral candidates, exchange students and short programmes have separate procedures; follow the matching page on the APS website.
Fee and steps
- The fee is RMB 2,500 (visa fee not included), payable by bank card only.
- Register online with APS and submit your academic documents.
- APS checks that the documents are genuine and decides which type of German university access your qualifications give you.
- Depending on your situation, you take an interview or the TestAS.
- Once you pass, a digitally signed APS certificate (DigZert) appears in your APS account.
- After registering for the China procedure you cannot switch to another procedure, so choose carefully.
- APS states clearly that you do not need an agency and it charges nothing beyond its published fee table.
After you have the certificate
Under the China procedure, once you hold the APS certificate and a German admission letter, you can submit your student visa application directly at APS in Beijing or Shanghai, Monday to Thursday, 8:30–11:00. See Visa and blocked account for the document list.
Tip
Waiting times vary a lot by season and peak before winter-semester deadlines. Start APS 3–6 months before you plan to send university applications.