APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) is a document-verification office of the German embassies, run together with DAAD. It exists only in China, Vietnam and India and checks academic documents issued in these countries for authenticity and for eligibility for higher education in Germany (uni-assist, APS India, checked 15.10.2026).
What counts is the country that issued your documents, not your nationality (APS India FAQ). A Turkish citizen with a degree issued in India may need APS; applicants with documents issued in Türkiye do not need APS. For exemptions (e.g. an international school-leaving certificate such as the International Baccalaureate, or a German or EU publicly funded scholarship) check the relevant APS website.
APS does not decide on admission or visas; the APS certificate is a prerequisite for university applications with these documents. Processing times and fees differ by country; check the relevant APS website for current details.
Official source:
www.uni-assist.de →Frequently Asked Questions
Do Turkish students need APS? ▾
Not if your documents were issued in Türkiye. APS exists only for documents issued in China, Vietnam and India; what counts is the issuing country, not nationality (source: APS India FAQ, checked 15.10.2026).
How long does the APS process take? ▾
Typically 2-3 months. May extend to 4 months in peak periods. Plan accordingly before application deadlines.
How much does APS cost? ▾
The fee differs by country (China, Vietnam, India); check the current amount on the relevant APS website.