Study in Germany from Iran
A step-by-step guide tailored for students applying from Iran — APS, embassy, documents and timeline.
🏛️ Visa application at
Tehran
📜 APS certificate
Required (mandatory)
APS Iran is mandatory for all Iranian students applying to German universities. Apply at the APS office in Tehran. Process takes 4-8 weeks and includes a verification interview.
Key steps
- 1
Get APS certificate (mandatory)
Apply at the APS office in Tehran. Submit transcripts, degrees, language certificates. Interview before APS is issued. Without APS, German universities will not accept your application.
- 2
Translate documents
All Persian documents must be translated to German or English by a sworn translator officially recognized by the German Embassy.
- 3
Apply to German universities
Apply via uni-assist or directly. Iranian students are strong in engineering and sciences — many choose TUM, RWTH Aachen, KIT.
- 4
Open a blocked account
Due to banking restrictions, transferring €11,904 from Iran is challenging. Most students use family members in UAE, Turkey or Germany to deposit. Verify with the embassy.
- 5
Visa appointment in Tehran
Book at the German Embassy in Tehran. Processing can take 8-16 weeks for Iranian students. Be patient — and have backup plans.
📄 Documents checklist
⏳ Suggested timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 14 months before | Research universities + programmes |
| 12 months before | Take IELTS / TOEFL / TestDaF |
| 10 months before | Apply for APS certificate (~6-8 weeks) |
| 7 months before | Apply to universities via uni-assist |
| 5 months before | Receive admission letter |
| 4 months before | Arrange blocked account (may need foreign family help) |
| 3 months before | Book visa appointment in Tehran |
| 1-2 months before | Visa decision + travel |
💡 Country tips
- 💡Start everything 12+ months before — Iranian visa processing is the longest in the region.
- 💡Banking restrictions are real — research carefully how to transfer money for blocked account.
- 💡Iranian students have very strong technical reputation — leverage this in motivation letters.
- 💡Many Iranians use family in UAE/Turkey/Germany to assist with payments.
- 💡TUM, RWTH Aachen, KIT have large Iranian student communities — easier transition.
- 💡Visa rejection rate for Iran is higher — prepare excellent documents and motivation.