Is APS Certificate Required for Germany Opportunity Card?

Akanksha Tripathi

3 min read

Updated On Feb 24, 2026

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Many applicants search is APS certificate required for Germany Opportunity Card before applying. The rule is different from what most people think & following the wrong process can cost months of waiting and nearly EUR 200. Check what you actually need.

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What is the APS Certificate and Who Actually Needs It?
Why APS Certificate is Not Required for Germany Opportunity Card?
What You Actually Need Instead of APS for Opportunity Card?
When Do Indians Actually Need APS Certificate for Germany Opportunity Card?
Plan Your Germany Opportunity Card Application With 成人每日大赛

One question keeps coming up from Indian professionals applying for the Germany Opportunity Card in 2026 and it causes genuine confusion. Do I need an APS certificate for Germany Opportunity Card? The short answer is no and understanding why it is not required can save you months of unnecessary waiting and thousands of rupees in fees.聽

The APS certificate Germany was introduced specifically for Indian students applying for long-term study visas, not for skilled professionals moving to Germany for work, and if you are applying for the Germany Opportunity Card, which is a job seeker visa designed for skilled workers, the APS certificate is not part of your requirement checklist.

What is the APS Certificate and Who Actually Needs It?

The APS certificate, which stands for Akademische Pr眉fstelle, is an official document that verifies the authenticity of Indian academic qualifications. It is jointly managed by the German Embassy and the German Academic Exchange Service, called DAAD. Indian students who are planning to pursue long-term studies in Germany, such as undergraduate, postgraduate or doctoral programs, must obtain an APS Certificate.

The APS was established in India in 2022 to prevent academic fraud and ensure that degrees submitted for German student visa applications are genuine. The process involves document verification, an interview and validation of your academic credentials against German standards. However, this entire system was built for student visas, not for work-related visa categories like the Germany Opportunity Card.

Why APS Certificate is Not Required for Germany Opportunity Card?

The Germany Opportunity Card operates under a completely different framework. It falls under skilled migration pathways, not education-related visas. For the Opportunity Card, your degree recognition is handled through the ANABIN database or through a Statement of Comparability from ZAB, which is the Central Office for Foreign Education in Germany.聽

Check below for the actual document requirements for Opportunity Card applications in 2026:

Document Category	What You Need	Why It Matters
Qualification Proof	Degree certificate and transcripts	Proves you have completed required education
ANABIN Verification	ANABIN excerpt or ZAB Statement of Comparability	Confirms your degree is recognized in Germany
Language Certificate	German A1 or English B2 certificate	Meets language requirement for points or direct entry
Financial Proof	Blocked account of EUR 13,092 or employment contract	Proves you can support yourself for 12 months
Health Insurance	Valid policy covering your stay	Mandatory for visa approval
Passport	Valid for at least 3 months beyond intended stay	Identity verification

What You Actually Need Instead of APS for Opportunity Card?

For Germany Opportunity Card applications, you need to focus on ANABIN verification or obtaining a Statement of Comparability from ZAB. ANABIN is a free online database where you can check if your Indian university and degree are recognized in Germany. If your university has H+ status and your degree is listed as Gleichwertig or Entspricht, you are in a strong position.

If your degree is not listed in ANABIN, you apply for a Statement of Comparability from ZAB. This document officially states what German qualification your foreign degree is equivalent to. The process takes around 2 to 4 months for standard applications and requires certified copies of your degree certificate, transcripts and a fee of approximately EUR 200.

Quick Read: Germany Opportunity Card Document Checklist for Indian Applicants

When Do Indians Actually Need APS Certificate for Germany Opportunity Card?

Check below for clarity on when APS is and is not required for Indians:

Visa Type	Is APS Certificate Required?
Student Visa (Bachelor, Master, PhD)	Yes, mandatory
Germany Opportunity Card	No
Work Visa (Skilled Worker)	No
EU Blue Card	No
Job Seeker Visa	No
Language Course Visa (long-term study)	Yes, if combined with university admission

Plan Your Germany Opportunity Card Application With 成人每日大赛

The APS certificate for Germany Opportunity Card is not required, and now you know exactly why. The Opportunity Card is designed for skilled professionals, and it uses ANABIN or ZAB for degree recognition, not APS. Applying for unnecessary documents can delay your entire timeline and create confusion during your visa process.聽

If you want expert guidance on your Germany Opportunity Card application, ANABIN verification, ZAB evaluation and the full visa process, reach out to Germany Immigration Assistance and make your move to Germany clear and confident.

Book Your Free Consultation

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to apply for an APS certificate if I am applying for the Germany Opportunity Card?

No, you do not need an APS certificate if you are applying for Germany Opportunity Card. The APS is only required for Indian students applying for long-term study visas in Germany. For the Opportunity Card, your degree recognition is handled through the ANABIN database or by getting a Statement of Comparability from ZAB, not through APS.

What is the difference between APS certificate and ANABIN verification?

Both APS certificate and ANABIN verification sound similar but they are actually for completely different situations. APS is something you deal with when applying for a student visa, it is managed by the German Embassy and DAAD and verifies your documents. ANABIN is just an online database that tells you whether your degree and university are recognised in Germany, and this is what matters when you are applying for the Opportunity Card or any work visa. Simply put, one is for students and the other is for workers.

If I already have an APS certificate, can I use it for my Opportunity Card application?

You cannot really use it for Opportunity Card if you already have an APS certificate. Yes, it does show your degree is genuine and that is a good thing, but the consulate will still want ANABIN verification or a ZAB Statement of Comparability for your Opportunity Card application.

Will I need an APS certificate later if I want to study in Germany after getting the Opportunity Card?

Yes, you will need an APS certificate later if you want to study in Germany after getting the Opportunity Card. It does not matter whether you apply from India or from within Germany, whenever a student visa is involved the APS is part of the process.

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