Study in Germany from Vietnam
A step-by-step guide tailored for students applying from Vietnam — APS, embassy, documents and timeline.
🏛️ Visa application at
Hanoi (consulate in Ho Chi Minh City)
📜 APS certificate
Required (mandatory)
APS Vietnam is mandatory for all Vietnamese applicants. Apply at the APS office in Hanoi — process takes 4-8 weeks and includes a verification interview. Cost: ~$150.
Key steps
- 1
Get APS certificate (mandatory)
Apply at the APS office in Hanoi. Submit your transcripts, degree, and language certificates. You'll have an interview before APS is issued. Without APS, you cannot apply to German universities.
- 2
Apply to German universities
Apply via uni-assist or directly. Vietnamese students often choose technical programmes — TU Munich, RWTH Aachen, KIT are popular.
- 3
Open a blocked account
Deposit ~€11,904. Expatrio and Fintiba both serve Vietnamese students well.
- 4
Visa appointment
Book at the German embassy in Hanoi or consulate in Ho Chi Minh City. Processing 6-12 weeks. Vietnamese visa approvals are high if APS + documents are clean.
📄 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 |
| 4-5 months before | Receive admission letter |
| 3 months before | Open blocked account + insurance |
| 2 months before | Book visa appointment |
| 1 month before | Visa decision + travel arrangements |
💡 Country tips
- 💡Start APS process EARLY — it's the #1 cause of delayed applications from Vietnam.
- 💡APS interview is in English or German — prepare to explain your academic journey.
- 💡Vietnamese students have very high visa approval rates (~85%) IF documents are complete.
- 💡Many Vietnamese choose engineering — competition is high, apply to 5-7 universities.
- 💡TUM and RWTH Aachen have strong Vietnamese student communities — easier transition.