Studying in Germany from Nepal 2026: Is APS Needed? Costs, Intakes and Visa Checklist

Do Nepali students need the APS certificate?

This is the question we hear most, and the honest answer comes from the embassy's own page. The German Embassy Kathmandu study visa page says: "For Chinese and Indian school or university degrees, an APS certificate is mandatory." The only exception it mentions is for students with German or European public scholarships. Nepal is not named on that page.

So, based on the embassy's published requirements, a student with Nepali school and university certificates is not listed as needing an APS certificate. You may still see websites that say otherwise. We could not find an official source that sets out an APS fee, a validity period or an interview for Nepali applicants, so we do not give those figures here.

Before you pay anyone for APS, do two things:

• Read the current study visa page on the embassy website.
• Ask your chosen university whether it asks Nepali applicants for any extra credential check. Check DAAD / the embassy for the latest position, because embassy procedures can change.

The admission route: uni-assist or direct

Applicants with a foreign school-leaving qualification usually apply in one of two ways. Some universities take applications directly. Many others use uni-assist, a service that checks your documents for the universities that work with it. DAAD notes that some programs ask non-EU applicants to submit a preliminary review (VPD) from uni-assist first, so always read the program page.

Uni-assist says processing usually takes 4 to 6 weeks from when it receives your online form, and it recommends applying at least 8 weeks before the deadline. Your form and complete documents must be in your My assist account before the deadline.

A simple order of work:

• Choose the program and read its admission and language rules on the university page or on DAAD.
• Check whether the university takes applications directly or through uni-assist.
• Prepare certified copies and translations of your certificates.
• Apply before the program's deadline, not just the general one.

If you want help choosing a route, see our study in Germany guide.

Tuition fees and the semester contribution

DAAD states that there are generally no tuition fees for Bachelor's courses or most Master's courses at state higher education institutions. Exceptions include some continuing-education Master's programs and private institutions, which can charge much more.

There are also state-level exceptions for non-EU students:

• Baden-Württemberg: EUR 1,500 per semester for non-EU citizens in Bachelor's, Master's, Diplom and state examination programs. Doctoral students are exempt.
• Bavaria: each institution decides whether to charge non-EU students, and amounts can reach several thousand euros per semester. Check your specific program.

Every student, at every university, also pays a semester contribution. DAAD says it is separate from tuition and covers student services and the student government. It ranges from EUR 70 to 430 per semester depending on the university, and at many universities it includes a local transport ticket.

DAAD also says that living costs are roughly EUR 900 to 1,200 per month depending on the city. Choose your city with that range in mind.

Intakes and deadlines

Germany has two main intakes: the winter semester and the summer semester. Uni-assist says the deadline is often July 15 for the winter semester and often January 15 for the summer semester. DAAD gives the same pattern: for winter, applications at most institutions open in early May and close on July 15, and for summer they run from early December to January 15.

These are only common dates. Uni-assist says many universities set earlier deadlines for specific courses, such as Master's courses. DAAD program listings also show non-EU windows that close earlier, and some programs admit only in the winter semester. For example, a few listings show deadlines of June 15 or an April to May window for non-EU applicants.

Work backwards from the program's own deadline. Leave time for document certification, uni-assist processing, the language certificate and the visa appointment.

Language requirements

The requirement depends on the language of your program, and each university sets its own level. The embassy page says that for the visa, German certificates are accepted only from the Goethe Center Kathmandu, VHS (Bhaktapur, Kathmandu or Pokhara) or Telc, and that the certificate must be submitted with the application because it cannot be handed in afterwards. For English-taught programs, it asks for TOEFL or IELTS if necessary.

We have not listed minimum scores because they differ by program. Read the admission page of your program and book your exam early.

Student visa checklist for Kathmandu

Study visa applicants book an online appointment at the German Embassy Kathmandu. The embassy page lists these items:

• Valid passport (at least 12 months validity) and a recent biometric photo
• VIDEX application form and a signed declaration of true information
• Citizenship certificate and birth certificate
• Motivation letter
• School and higher secondary certificates with mark sheets
• Proof of admission to the university
• Language certificate, if your program needs one
• Proof of financing

Documents must be in German or English, or come with a certified translation. Flight reservation and health insurance are needed only after the visa is approved.

The fee is the equivalent of EUR 75 in NPR, paid in cash. It is waived for holders of publicly funded scholarships such as DAAD, and it is not refunded if the application is rejected. The embassy gives a minimum processing time of about 3 to 4 weeks.

Proof of funds. DAAD says that, as of January 1, 2025, you must prove EUR 992 per month, which is EUR 11,904 for 12 months. The embassy page says a blocked account is not required to apply but may be requested, and it also lists other forms of proof such as a sponsorship letter (Verpflichtungserklärung), a scholarship confirmation or other financial evidence. See our blocked account guide for Nepali students and the short answer on the amount.

Check before you apply

• Confirm on the embassy website whether APS applies to your documents today.
• Read the program page for its language level, deadline and whether it uses uni-assist.
• Check whether the state or university charges tuition for non-EU students.
• Confirm the proof-of-funds amount and the accepted type of proof with the embassy.
• Book your language exam and your embassy appointment early.
• Keep originals and certified translations ready for the appointment.

If you are comparing options, you can also read about the top education consultancy in Nepal.

Sources

• German Embassy Kathmandu: Study Visa
• DAAD: Costs of education and living
• DAAD: Application process
• uni-assist: Deadlines and processing time

Checked in October 2026. Rules change, so confirm on the official site when you apply. For help with your own application, talk to our counseling team.