MIGRATION & CERTIFICATES
APS Certificate Vietnam: German Embassy Hanoi Process, TestAS & Student Visa (2026)
How to obtain the mandatory APS certificate in Vietnam: German Embassy Hanoi process, fee payment, TestAS score requirements, and visa timeline.
VON GERMANIUM
Editorial desk — sourced to Akademische Prüfstelle (APS) German Embassy Hanoi and DAAD Vietnam regulations
The Akademische Prüfstelle (APS) at the German Embassy in Hanoi is the statutory verification gate for all Vietnamese students wishing to pursue higher education in Germany. Whether applying for a Studienkolleg prep course, a direct Bachelor's degree, or a Master's degree, *no German university or uni-assist application can proceed without a valid APS Certificate (APS-Zertifikat) or APS Confirmation (APS-Bescheinigung)*.
Who Needs APS and Who Is Exempt?
| Applicant Category | APS Required? | TestAS Required? | Procedure Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| High School Graduates (THPT) for Studienkolleg | Yes | Recommended / Required by some unis | Dossier Verification (Prüfverfahren) |
| Vietnamese Bachelor Students (Years 1–3) | Yes | Yes (Core + Subject Module) | APS Verification + TestAS |
| Vietnamese University Graduates for Master's | Yes | No (Interview waived for Master) | Dossier Verification without TestAS |
| Ausbildung (Vocational Training) Applicants | No | No | Exempt from APS (§16a AufenthG) |
| Doctoral / PhD Candidates & Exchange Students | No | No | Exempt if formal university MOU exists |
Required Dossier and Document Submission
APS applications must be mailed or submitted to the German Embassy in Hanoi (APS Office, 29 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi). Your dossier must include: (1) Completed APS application form with recent passport photos; (2) Certified copies and notarized German/English translations of your High School Graduation Certificate (Bằng Tốt nghiệp THPT) and Academic Transcript (Học bạ); (3) Certificate of National High School Examination Scores (Giấy chứng nhận kết quả thi THPT Quốc gia); (4) University Admission Letter (Giấy báo trúng tuyển Đại học) or University Transcript if already enrolled; (5) Bank proof of APS fee payment.
TestAS Score Thresholds for Vietnamese Students
The TestAS (Test für Ausländische Studierende) evaluates intellectual capabilities required for academic studies. It consists of a Core Test (cognitive abilities) and a Subject Module (Engineering, Economics, Humanities, or Mathematics/Computer Science/Natural Sciences). Top German universities typically require a Standard Score (Standardwert) of 100 or above in both parts.
How long is an APS certificate valid?
An APS Certificate (APS-Zertifikat) has unlimited validity for the academic degree level verified. If you verified your Bachelor's degree, that certificate remains valid indefinitely. However, if you subsequently complete a Master's degree and want to apply for another program, a new APS verification is required.
Does APS conduct in-person interviews in Hanoi for everyone?
No. For most standard Bachelor and Master candidates, APS Hanoi conducts a purely documentary verification (Plausibilitätsprüfung). In-person interviews are only scheduled in exceptional cases where document authenticity or curriculum equivalence requires direct clarification.