German Student Visa Requirements for Vietnamese Students: APS Verification, Documents and Procedure

​​APS Certificate Requirement for Vietnamese Students

The APS certificate is one of the most important requirements for Vietnamese students applying for a German student visa. APS stands for Akademische Prüfstelle, a joint institution of the German Embassy and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), responsible for verifying whether an applicant’s educational background meets the formal requirements for higher education in Germany. The APS verification is also a requirement for Chinese and Indian nationals.

For Vietnamese nationals, APS verification is mandatory before a German student visa application can be processed. Without a valid APS certificate, German embassies and consulates will not accept or review a student visa application, even if the applicant has already received an admission letter from a German university.

When APS Is Mandatory in Vietnam

APS verification is required for applicants who hold Vietnamese academic qualifications and apply for one of the following visa types:

• German student visa
• Student applicant visa (Studienbewerbervisum)
• Language course visa followed by academic study

APS applies to most Bachelor’s and Master’s applicants from Vietnam. However, applicants pursuing a PhD in Germany are generally exempt from APS verification, provided they can demonstrate direct doctoral admission or a formal supervision agreement with a German university.

In addition, short-term exchange students or applicants holding a full degree from a non-Vietnamese education system may not be required to undergo APS verification. Each case is assessed individually, and applicants are advised to confirm their specific situation before applying.

Documents Required for APS Hanoi

All applicants are required to submit a complete set of educational and identification documents. Exact document requirements can vary depending on the applicant’s academic background and study level.

Vietnamese students must submit their APS application through APS Hanoi.

Commonly required documents include:

• Copy of the APS application confirmation and payment receipt
• Copy of passport and national ID card
• Certified copy and certified translation of high school graduation certificate
• Official university admission certificate or proof of enrollment (if applicable)
• Academic transcripts listing all subjects and grades per semester
• Degree certificate, if the program has already been completed
• Passport-sized photographs meeting APS requirements

All academic documents must be submitted as certified copies, and translations must be prepared by sworn translators. In some cases, APS may request documents to be submitted in sealed envelopes issued directly by the educational institution.

APS Verification Process and Timeline in Vietnam

The APS verification process for Vietnamese students consists primarily of document verification and, in some cases, an interview. Applicants must first register and complete the application form. After registration, all required documents must be collected, certified, translated, and submitted according to APS instructions.

Once the application is received, APS reviews the documents for authenticity and consistency. Processing times vary depending on application volume and the complexity of the case. On average, APS verification in Vietnam takes approximately 2 to 4 months, though processing may take longer during peak application periods.

Because the APS certificate is required before booking or attending a German student visa appointment, Vietnamese applicants are strongly advised to begin the APS process at least 6 to 8 months before their intended study intake. Starting early helps ensure that visa deadlines and university enrollment timelines can be met without unnecessary stress or postponement.

Academic Documents Required in Vietnam

For Vietnamese students applying for a German student visa, academic documents are reviewed at multiple stages of the application process. First, they are examined during the APS verification, and later again by the German embassy or consulate when the visa application is submitted. Any inconsistencies between documents presented at these stages can result in delays or additional verification requests.

Because academic qualifications from Vietnam are subject to close scrutiny, applicants must ensure that all certificates, transcripts, and supporting documents are complete, correctly certified, and consistent across all submissions. Preparing academic documents carefully from the outset significantly reduces the risk of complications during both APS and visa processing.

High School and University Certificate Requirements

For Bachelor’s applicants from Vietnam, the high school graduation certificate is a key document. However, a Vietnamese high school diploma alone does not automatically qualify an applicant for direct admission to a German university. Eligibility is typically assessed based on a combination of high school completion and subsequent academic performance, such as university entrance examination results or completed university-level studies in Vietnam.

Applicants are usually required to submit their official high school diploma along with certified translations. In many cases, proof of university enrollment or completed university coursework in Vietnam is also necessary to demonstrate eligibility for higher education in Germany or for admission to a preparatory course or Studienkolleg.

For Master’s applicants, German authorities focus primarily on university-level education. A recognized Bachelor’s degree from a Vietnamese university is required, along with a degree certificate indicating the field of study and date of graduation. If the degree has not yet been completed, an official enrollment certificate combined with transcripts for all completed semesters is generally accepted, provided the expected graduation date is clearly stated.

Transcript Verification Rules for Vietnamese Applicants

Academic transcripts play a central role in the evaluation of Vietnamese applications. Transcripts must list all courses taken, grades received, and the duration of study for each academic term. Missing semesters, incomplete course listings, or unclear grading systems can lead to extended verification or additional document requests.

For APS purposes, transcripts must usually be submitted as certified copies, and in some cases, in sealed envelopes issued directly by the university. Certified translations are mandatory for all transcripts issued in Vietnamese. German authorities rely heavily on transcript accuracy to assess academic progression and eligibility, especially for Master’s applicants.

Any discrepancies between transcripts submitted to APS and those later presented at the visa appointment can raise concerns. Applicants should therefore ensure that the same versions of transcripts and certificates are used consistently throughout the entire application process. Careful attention to detail at this stage helps avoid delays and ensures a smoother transition from APS verification to visa approval.

Visa Application Process in Vietnam

For Vietnamese students, the German student visa application process is strictly structured and closely tied to the completion of APS verification. Unlike applicants from some other countries, Vietnamese students cannot begin the visa process without first obtaining their APS certificate. Understanding the correct sequence of steps is essential to avoid delays or missed intakes.

Where to Apply: German Embassy Hanoi / Consulate Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnamese students must apply for their German student visa in person at the German mission responsible for their place of residence. Visa applications are handled directly by the German Embassy Hanoi and the German Consulate Ho Chi Minh City.

Applicants cannot freely choose between the two locations. The location you apply to is determined by yur registered place of residence in Vietnam. Submitting an application at the wrong mission is not permitted and may result in rejection of the appointment.

Unlike in some countries where external service providers are used, Vietnamese applicants submit their documents directly to the German mission. This means that document preparation must be especially thorough, as there is no intermediary step to correct or complete missing paperwork.

Document Submission and Biometric Appointment

Once the APS certificate has been issued, applicants can book a visa appointment at the responsible German mission. Visa appointments must be attended in person, as biometric data is collected during submission.

At the appointment, applicants are typically required to submit:

• Completed national visa application form
• Valid passport and copies of relevant pages
• APS certificate (mandatory)
• University admission letter or conditional offer
• Proof of financial resources (e.g. Blocked Account confirmation)
• Proof of health insurance coverage
• Academic certificates and transcripts with certified translations
• Proof of accommodation, if available
• Biometric data (fingerprints and photograph)

Processing Timelines for Vietnamese Applicants

Visa processing times for Vietnamese students are generally longer than for applicants from countries without APS requirements. Processing duration depends on application volume, seasonality, and individual case complexity.

On average, applicants should plan for:

• APS verification: 2–4 months
• Waiting time for visa appointment: 2–8 weeks, depending on location and demand
• Visa processing after submission: 4–8 weeks

During peak intake periods, especially before winter semester deadlines, processing times may extend beyond these averages.

Financial Proof Requirements for Vietnamese Students

Financial proof is reviewed during the visa appointment at the German embassy or consulate. However, preparation should begin much earlier, as certain options, particularly Blocked Accounts, require time to set up, fund, and confirm. Vietnamese applicants may choose from several forms of financial proof, though not all are assessed with the same level of reliability.

Blocked Account Rules for Vietnam

The Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) is the most commonly accepted and reliable form of financial proof for Vietnamese students. It is a special German bank account that secures a fixed amount of money and releases it in monthly installments after the student’s arrival in Germany, ensuring a stable living budget.

Applicants are generally required to deposit the full amount covering one year of living expenses, as defined by German authorities, before the visa can be issued. The account must be opened with a recognized provider, and the confirmation document must clearly state the total deposited amount, the monthly withdrawal limit, and the student’s personal details.

For Vietnamese applicants, it is essential that the Blocked Account confirmation is issued in German or English and explicitly marked as valid for student visa purposes. Informal documents, screenshots, or transfer receipts are not accepted. While the account does not need to be activated before the visa appointment, the full required amount must already be transferred and officially confirmed at the time of submission.

Acceptable Bank Statements and Sponsor Proofs

In some cases, Vietnamese students may present alternative financial proof. These options are examined more strictly than Blocked Accounts and often require additional supporting documentation.

Acceptable alternatives may include:

• Parental or family sponsorship, supported by a formal sponsorship declaration from a relative living in Germany
• Proof of sponsor income and assets, such as salary certificates, business licenses, or tax documents
• Scholarship confirmation, clearly stating the funding amount and duration

German visa officers assess whether the presented funds are realistically sufficient to cover both the student’s living costs in Germany and the sponsor’s financial obligations in Vietnam. If the financial situation appears unclear or inconsistent, applicants may be asked to provide additional documentation or to switch to a Blocked Account.