Inburgering FAQ: A1 Abroad, A2, and NT2 Explained Simply

Inburgering FAQ: A1 Abroad, A2, and NT2 Explained Simply

Your situation	Plain meaning	First place to check
You are abroad and need an MVV to join a partner or work as a religious minister	You may need the A1 basisexamen inburgering buitenland before the MVV application.	IND and Naar Nederland
DUO says you must integrate under Wet inburgering 2013	You usually work toward A2 language exams plus KNM, and sometimes ONA and PVT depending on your start date.	Mijn Inburgering
You fall under Wet inburgering 2021	Your gemeente makes a PIP. It can point to the B1-route, onderwijsroute or Z-route, with different exams and modules.	Gemeente, PIP and Mijn Inburgering
You are not obligated now, but need proof for naturalisation or a stronger residence permit	You may still need an inburgeringsdiploma, Staatsexamen NT2 diploma or other accepted proof.	IND, DUO and Mijn Inburgering

Exam name	Level	Usually used for	What it checks
Basisexamen inburgering buitenland	A1	Before some MVV applications	Basic Dutch reading, basic speaking and knowledge of Dutch society
Inburgeringsexamen	A2	Many Wet inburgering 2013 and voluntary integrator situations	Practical reading, listening, writing, speaking and KNM
Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I	B1	B1-route, work or study around mbo level	Independent Dutch for daily life, work and education
Staatsexamen NT2 Programma II	B2	Higher education or professional goals	More advanced Dutch for hbo, university and professional settings

Part	Official amount	Simple note
A1 exam abroad	EUR 150 for the full exam	If you fail one part, you register and pay again only for that failed part.
A2 language exams and KNM	EUR 50 per component	Under Wet 2021 the four language exams plus KNM total EUR 250. Asylum status holders usually get the first 2 attempts free if the exam is not below the PIP level.
ONA	EUR 40	Mainly for Wet 2013 or voluntary integration when ONA is required.
MAP	Free	Done with the gemeente under Wet 2021 when your PIP says you need it.
PVT	Free under Wet 2021	Under Wet 2013, it is free for asylum status holders and EUR 150 for non-asylum status holders.
Staatsexamen NT2	EUR 50 per component, EUR 200 for all four	This applies to both Programma I and Programma II.

Exam or module	Where to arrange it	Important detail
A1 basisexamen abroad	Register through Naar Nederland / DUO, then make an appointment with the embassy or consulate.	You do the exam abroad and receive confirmation before making the appointment.
A2, KNM or ONA	Log in to Mijn Inburgering with DigiD.	If you cannot log in, DUO has paper forms for some registrations.
MAP or PVT	Arrange this with your gemeente.	The gemeente reports completion to DUO when the module is finished.
Staatsexamen NT2	Register with DUO / MijnDUO through the Staatsexamen NT2 route.	Registration opens about 8 weeks before the exam; exams are offered in Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Zwolle.