Exemption Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market (ONA)
In some situation you do not need to take the Oriëntation on the Dutch Labour Market (ONA) exam. For instance because you completed the Job market and participation module (MAP). Or because you worked in the Netherlands during the past year. This is called an exemption.
Completed MAP
If you successfully completed the MAP, you can get an exemption for ONA. You do not need to apply for the exemption.
There are 2 possible situations:
- The municipality has made a personal integration and participation plan (PIP) with you.
- You have indicated with DUO that you voluntarily want to obtain the integration diploma at language level A2.
- Your municipality enters de date of your final interview for MAP in your PIP.
- You will receive a letter from DUO within 8 weeks. The letter says that you are exempt from the ONA exam.
- The municipality sends DUO the date of your final interview for MAP.
- You will receive a letter from DUO within 8 weeks. The letter says that you are exempt from the ONA exam.
Worked in the Netherlands
Have you worked in the Netherlands during the past year? Then you may not need to take the Orientation on the Dutch Labor Market (ONA) exam. You need to apply in order to get this exemption.
Conditions
- You were employed, and
- you have worked for at least 6 months in the past 12 months, and
- you worked at least 48 hours a month.
Apply
- Log in to Mijn Inburgering to apply for an exemption.
- DUO decides if you get an exemption. We will let you know within 8 weeks.
Have you already paid for the ONA exam? You will not get a refund.
Login problems
If you cannot log in to Mijn Inburgering, please use the 'Aanvraag vrijstelling Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt' form.
Exemption employees international organization and managing director and major shareholders
Are you a managing director and major shareholder? Do you work for an international organization which has a branch in the Netherlands? Or do you work for an organization that does not pay premiums for social insurance (link in Dutch) Link opent externe pagina ? Then you can apply for an exemption for the ONA exam.
- Fill in the ‘Aanvraag vrijstelling ONA internationale organisatie’ form.
- Send the form and supporting documents to DUO.
- DUO decides if you get an exemption. We will let you know within 8 weeks.
Have you already paid for the ONA exam? You will not get a refund.
Self-employed
Do you run your own business in the Netherlands? Then you need to meet at least 1 of the following criteria:
- During the past 12 months, your company was registered with the Dutch chamber of commerce ('Kamer van Koophandel') for at least 6 months. The profit of your company in that period or the calendar year before that, was at least €4,478.97.
- You receive financial support for self-employed professionals (Bbz2004) from the municipality.
- Your residence permit says the purpose of your stay is self-employment (‘verblijfsdoel: Arbeid als Zelfstandige’). The purpose of your stay is stated on the back of your residence permit.
Apply
Do you meet 1 of the criteria? Then apply for an exemption for ONA:
- Complete the ‘Aanvraag Vrijstelling Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt - zelfstandig ondernemer’ form.
- The form states what other documents you need to include.
- Send the form, the annual figures and the other documents to DUO by post.
- DUO decides if you get an exemption. We will let you know within 8 weeks.
Have you already paid for the ONA exam? You will not get a refund.
Incapacitated for work or early retirement
Are you fully incapacitated for work or are you already fully retired? Then you may not need to take the Orientation on the Dutch Labor Market (ONA) exam. You need to apply in order to get this exemption.