Most people preparing for the inburgering think in terms of the language exams and the KNM exam. Then a letter mentions ONA, and suddenly there is a part they have never heard of standing between them and a finished inburgering. The good news: ONA is not a language test, and for some people it can even be skipped entirely. You just need to understand how it works.
This guide explains what ONA is, how you complete it, how it differs from MAP under the newer law, and the exemption that lets some people avoid it altogether.
What is ONA?
ONA stands for Orientatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt, or Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market. It is the part of the inburgering that shows you can find your way on the Dutch job market: how to look for work, how applications work here, and what Dutch workplace culture expects.
The key thing to understand is that ONA is not a language exam. There is no reading or listening test to pass. Instead, it is built around a portfolio: a set of practical assignments you work through and collect. You do work through it in Dutch, though, which is why doing ONA alongside your language lessons makes it far more manageable.
How you complete ONA: portfolio plus a course or interview
ONA has two building blocks. First, you complete a portfolio of assignment cards (opdrachtkaarten) about the Dutch labour market. Then you finish the module in one of two ways:
- A course of around 64 hours that guides you through the material, or
- A final interview (eindgesprek) with DUO, where you talk through your portfolio
The portfolio topics typically cover your own profile and skills, exploring professions, finding and reading vacancies, writing an application and CV, and understanding Dutch work culture and rules. Requirements and the exact route are updated over time, so confirm the current conditions on the official DUO inburgeren website.
Preparing your portfolio and final interview in Dutch? That is exactly the kind of real, practical Dutch we train. Book a free intake call and we will help you get ready.
ONA or MAP: which one applies to you?
This is where people get confused, because the labour-market part has two names depending on which law you fall under:
- ONA applies to people integrating under the older Wet inburgering 2013, and to voluntary integrators. This is the portfolio-with-course-or-interview route described above.
- MAP (Module Arbeidsmarkt en Participatie) is the equivalent under the newer Wet inburgering 2021. It is arranged through your gemeente (municipality) rather than done entirely through DUO, and combines labour-market orientation with participation activities.
Which one applies depends on when you became obligated to integrate. If you are not sure which law you fall under, that single question decides a lot about your route, so it is worth checking first. Our overview of the Dutch integration exam and the guide on whether you need A2 or B1 both help you place yourself under the right law.
Can you get an exemption from ONA?
This is the part worth reading carefully, because it can save you a lot of work. If you have worked enough in the Netherlands as an employee, you may qualify for an ONA exemption. A common condition is having worked around six months in the past year, above a minimum number of hours, but the exact rules matter and change over time.
Two things to remember: the exemption is not automatic, so you have to apply for it yourself with DUO, and you should check whether you qualify before you invest time in the full portfolio. It would be a shame to complete ONA the hard way when you were entitled to skip it.
How to prepare for ONA the smart way
A few habits make ONA far less painful:
- Check for an exemption first, so you do not do work you did not need to.
- Start the portfolio early and keep your evidence organised as you go.
- Treat it as real preparation, because the assignments genuinely help you find work in the Netherlands.
- Build your Dutch alongside it, so the final interview feels like a conversation you can handle.
Since ONA overlaps with real working life, the vocabulary you pick up here also supports your speaking and writing exams. It all reinforces the same practical Dutch.
Frequently asked questions about ONA
What is ONA? Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market, the inburgering part that shows you understand how to find and keep work in the Netherlands. It is portfolio-based, not a language exam.
How do you complete ONA? You build a portfolio of assignment cards about the Dutch job market, then finish with either a course of around 64 hours or a final interview with DUO. Confirm the current route with DUO.
What is the difference between ONA and MAP? ONA belongs to the Wet inburgering 2013 and voluntary integration; MAP is the equivalent under the Wet inburgering 2021, arranged through your municipality. Which applies depends on when you became obligated.
Can I get an exemption from ONA? Possibly, if you have worked enough in the Netherlands as an employee. You must apply for it yourself with DUO, so check the current conditions before starting the portfolio.
Is ONA a language exam? No. It is about the Dutch labour market, but you work through it in Dutch, so preparing alongside your language lessons helps a lot.
This article is general guidance, not legal advice. ONA rules, exemption conditions, and formats can change. Always confirm your personal situation with DUO.