If you worked in the Netherlands, check if you can get an exemption. You need to apply in order to get an exemption.
Are you required to integrate under the 2021 civic integration act ('Wet inburgering 2021')? Then the exemption for ONA is not for you.
Exemption ONA
Worked
Have you worked in 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 for ONA exemption because you worked
- 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.
Log in to Mijn Inburgeringwith DigId
Login problems
If you cannot log in to Mijn Inburgering, please use the 'Aanvraag vrijstelling Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt' form.
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Aanvraag vrijstelling Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarktpdf, 133kb
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.
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Aanvraag vrijstelling ONA internationale organisatiepdf, 116kb
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 before 2024 was at least €3,714.75.
- 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 for the ONA exemption
Do you meet 1 of the criteria? Then apply for anexemptionfor 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.
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Aanvraag vrijstelling Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt - zelfstandig ondernemerpdf, 138kb
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.
Apply for ONA exemption because of incapacity for work or early retirememt
Use the 'Aanvraag vrijstelling Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt' form to apply for the exemption.
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Aanvraag vrijstelling Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarktpdf, 133kb
Exemption or dispensation due to demonstrable sufficient integration
Have you lived in the Netherlands for a long time? And did you work here for at least 5 years? Then you may not have to take any integration exams at all. This is called an full exemption because of demonstrable integration ('vrijstelling wegens aantoonbaar voldoende ingeburgerd').
Conditions
- You are required to integrate.
- You have continuously lived in the Netherlands for 10 years or longer.
- You have worked in the Netherlands for 5 years or longer. Voluntary work also counts.
- Your Dutch is good.
Apply
- Under the 2021 Act
- Under the 2013 Act
- Complete the ‘Aanvraag vrijstelling inburgeringsplicht’ form.
- Ask your employer to complete the ‘werkgeversverklaring’ (employer’s statement).
- Send the form and the statement to DUO by post.
- DUO will invite you for an interview. This interview costs €90.
- After the interview, DUO decides if you get anexemption.
- Aanvraag vrijstelling van de inburgeringsplicht op grond van aantoonbaar voldoende ingeburgerd 2021 (127Kb, pdf)
- Werkgeversverklaring (67Kb, pdf)
- Complete the ‘Aanvraag ontheffing inburgeringsplicht’ form.
- Ask your employer to complete the ‘werkgeversverklaring’ (employer’s statement).
- Send the form and the statement to DUO by post.
- DUO will invite you for an interview. This interview costs €90.
- After the interview, DUO decides if you get anexemption.
- Aanvraag advies of ontheffing van de inburgeringsplicht op grond van aantoonbaar voldoende ingeburgerd (127Kb, pdf)
- Werkgeversverklaring (67Kb, pdf)
Naturalisation or stronger residence permit
Did you work in the Netherlands? And do you want to naturalise or apply for a stronger residence permit? Go to ind.nl Link opent externe pagina .
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