ONA portfolio and result cards: how to fill them in

If you need ONA, check the exemption rules before preparing your portfolio.

ONA stands for Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt. Your portfolio shows that you understand work and job search in the Netherlands.

Use the current result cards from DUO's ONA page (External site, opens in a new tab). Read the toelichting (official explanation), PDF, 110 KB (External site, opens in a new tab) and use the woordenlijst (word list), PDF, 100 KB (External site, opens in a new tab) for unfamiliar words. DUO cannot help you fill in the cards and provides no example portfolios.

Use this article if ONA is listed in Mijn Inburgering or in a DUO letter. If you are unsure which work or participation task applies, read the MAP (Module Arbeidsmarkt en Participatie, labour market and participation module), ONA and PVT (Participatieverklaringstraject, participation statement process) guide. For the whole process, use the main ONA guide.

An entreeopleiding (entry-level course) is mbo (Dutch vocational education) at level 1. You do not need ONA if your diploma is from an entreeopleiding taught in Dutch. Before paying, check the official ONA exemption rules (External site, opens in a new tab). There are routes for work in the Netherlands, a completed MAP, being recognised as fully unable to work, or being fully on early retirement.

On card 1, write 3 beroepen (jobs) and choose one as your gewenst beroep (desired job). Fill in all 8 cards for that job. DUO returns your portfolio if the cards are about different jobs.

Your chosen job needs to meet all 3 rules in the toelichting:

• Choose a beroep (job), such as schoonmaker (cleaner) or monteur (mechanic). A branche (industry) or sector (field of work), such as zorg (care) or horeca (hospitality), names a field of work. An industry or sector cannot be your gewenst beroep. Choose a specific job. If the job has no clear name, you may describe the work.
• Choose paid work. Vrijwilligerswerk (volunteer work) cannot be your chosen job.
• Choose a job at a company if you have your own business or want to start one. Choose the job you would want if your business stopped.

You may find that you cannot do your chosen job yet. You may lack the right diploma, be unable to work the hours, or find no work in it. The toelichting gives you 2 options:

• Choose another job and start again at card 1.
• Keep the same job and write how you will solve the problem in your plan on the cards. For example, you could plan to get the diploma or arrange childcare.

Work through your portfolio in this order:

1. Get the current result cards, toelichting and word list from DUO.
2. Create one folder for the cards and one for the evidence.
3. Choose your gewenst beroep on card 1.
4. Fill in one card at a time, using the same job throughout. Write short, clear Dutch sentences in your own words.
5. Add the evidence as you complete cards 1, 4 and 7.
6. Check every name, date, answer and attachment before sending.
7. If you choose the interview route, practise explaining every answer in simple Dutch.

Each card covers one part of work in the Netherlands for your chosen job. Answer every question on every card. The sections below explain the tasks; use the toelichting alongside the forms.

On the Beroepenoriëntatie (career orientation) card, write 3 jobs that could fit you and choose one as your gewenst beroep. Tick whether the job fits many industries or sectors, or only one, and name them.

Tick every diploma or work-experience situation that applies to you. If you tick that you can show a document, add a copy. The evidence section below lists which copies you need.

On the Realistisch beroepsbeeld (realistic picture of the job) card, describe the actual tasks and conditions of your chosen job. Look at vacancies, working hours and requirements to show what the work involves.

Tick all working conditions and special requirements that apply to the job. Add any others you know. Say whether they suit you. Then describe your personal circumstances and explain whether you can change them and why.

On the Je eigenschappen kennen (knowing your qualities) card, name 3 eigenschappen (personal qualities) or competenties (skills you can learn) that matter for everyone who works in the Netherlands. Tick which ones you have. Then name 4 more that matter for your chosen job. For each of these 4, give an example showing why it matters for your chosen job. Tick which ones you have.

The toelichting gives vriendelijk (friendly) and nauwkeurig (accurate) as examples.

On the Beroepskansen (job prospects) card, name 3 places where you can find vacancies. Count the vacancies for paid work you found. Choose groot (large), redelijk (reasonable) or klein (small) based on how quickly you find vacancies. Your diploma and experience do not decide this answer.

Add copies of 2 vacancies for paid work in your chosen job. Volunteer vacancies do not count. For each vacancy, fill in the date, job, company and place. Say whether it suits you and why. Then say what you will do next and why.

On the Beroepscompetenties (job skills) card, choose one opleiding (training programme) or cursus (course) for your chosen job. A language course does not count for this question. If you already have a diploma for your chosen job or already work in it, choose a course that improves your skills in that job. A course at your company also counts.

Tick the training options that fit your circumstances. You may tick more than one. Include your preferred lesson times and whether you want to learn at a school or through self-study. Write when your chosen course runs.

Write the course name, school or institute, duration and yearly cost. Check which diploma and Dutch level you need to start. On the form, state whether you already have them and whether you have a diploma proving your Dutch level. Explain how you will pay for training and cover your living costs during it.

Tick the workplace tasks that need Dutch, such as understanding instructions or speaking to customers. Say whether you can use Dutch for those tasks.

If you need to improve your Dutch for the course or job, tick ja (yes). Describe how you will work on it: a language course you follow now, a course you plan to follow, or study on your own.

On the Netwerk opbouwen (building a network) card, tick which groups of people are in your network, such as vakgenoten (people in the same trade), colleagues or family. Write the first and last names of at least 2 people who can help you find work, a werkervaringsplek (work-experience place) or a stage (internship).

If nobody in your network can help, tick nee (no). Whether or not you already have helpful contacts, write how and when you will look for more people.

On the Werk vinden card, describe how you can find work in your chosen job. Explain whether a work-experience place, internship or volunteer work matters to you and why.

If you already work or have a placement, name the company or organisation and its location. If you plan to look for one, explain how. If you do not plan to look, explain why.

Give 3 reasons why employers use application forms and letters. Say where you can find help writing a letter.

Add all 4 compulsory documents: 2 sollicitatieformulieren (application forms) filled in with your own details, one sollicitatiebrief (application letter) and one CV (curriculum vitae, a record of your education and work). DUO returns the portfolio if a required document is missing or does not meet the rules. The evidence section below explains each document.

Describe your strengths in a job interview. Also name at least one verbeterpunt (point to improve) and say how you will improve it.

On the Werkcultuur card, name 3 differences between work culture in your chosen job in your country of origin and in the Netherlands. For each one, describe both countries. Think about what employers expect, how colleagues treat each other and how the boss talks to staff.

If you never did this job in your country of origin, write only about the Netherlands. Describe behaviour at work. Rules such as paying tax are not work culture.

Cards 1, 4 and 7 ask for evidence. DUO's registration form, PDF, 93 KB (External site, opens in a new tab) lists the verplichte bewijzen (compulsory evidence). DUO returns your portfolio if a required item is missing or does not meet the rules. Include all of these items; the cover sheet applies only when you send by post:

• All 8 result cards, completely filled in.
• Copies of 2 vacancies for paid work in your chosen job (card 4). Volunteer vacancies do not count.
• 2 application forms (card 7).
• One application letter (card 7).
• One CV (card 7).
• The Voorblad persoonlijke gegevens (cover sheet with your personal details), if you send the portfolio by post.

Evidence needs to match your cards. If your chosen job is taxichauffeur (taxi driver), your 2 vacancies need to be for taxi drivers.

The registration form lists card 1 documents separately as andere bewijzen (other evidence). On card 1, you tick which documents you can show. The toelichting asks for a copy of each one. Add copies of those documents too.

For a diploma, add a copy of your diploma or certificate, your diplomawaardering (diploma evaluation), or your ION (Indicatie Onderwijsniveau, an education-level assessment for refugees without their diploma). For work experience, the toelichting lists your EVC (Erkenning van Verworven Competenties, recognition of acquired skills) application or ervaringscertificaat (experience certificate).

In February 2026, 4 Dutch ministers asked employers, schools and sectors to stop using EVC certificates because of large-scale fraud. The government's EVC letter (External site, opens in a new tab) explains the warning. Instead of starting a new EVC procedure, look at a diploma, a training programme or a diploma evaluation for your chosen job.

All 4 documents for card 7 need to follow the toelichting. These rules include exceptions for jobs that use other application methods:

• Application forms: fill in 2 Dutch forms in Dutch, using your own details. Use forms for your chosen job. If employers in that job do not use forms, fill in 2 forms for another job.
• Application letter: write a letter rather than an email. You may type it or write it by hand. Write it for your chosen job. If employers in that job do not use letters, write it for another job.
• CV: include at least your name, address, town and year of birth. A full date of birth includes the required year. If you have studied or worked, list that education or work experience from your own country, the Netherlands, or both.
• Language: write the letter and CV in Dutch. If all your vacancies are in English, you may write the letter and CV in English.

The toelichting gives 8 requirements for the letter. Check all of them in these 3 groups:

• Opening: include the date and place, an aanhef (opening greeting), such as Beste… (Dear…) or Geachte… (Dear…), and the surname of the person you write to.
• Message: address the person as u (formal you). Say which work you want to do and why.
• Closing and layout: include a closing greeting with your signature or name, your own address, and text aligned to the left.

For help wording your documents, use our Dutch CV and application guide. Keep the ONA document requirements above when submitting to DUO.

If you can log in, follow these steps on Mijn Inburgering (External site, opens in a new tab):

1. Log in to Mijn Inburgering.
2. Choose ONA.
3. Send the result cards and evidence.
4. Choose how you pay.
5. Choose the 64-hour ONA course or the final interview.

In 2026, the ONA exam fee (External site, opens in a new tab) is €40. You can pay with iDEAL/Wero (online payment service), or from your DUO loan. Payment makes your registration final.

DUO gives no refund, even if you paid from your loan or get an exemption later. One payment covers one final interview after an approved portfolio. For other fees and funding, read the integration costs and loans guide.

If you cannot log in, download the forms and result cards from the official ONA page and send your portfolio by post. On the registration form, choose to pay by factuur (invoice) or from your DUO loan. DUO sends the invoice after receiving your portfolio. After you pay, DUO checks your portfolio.

Postal submission requires the final interview route. You cannot use the 64-hour course route when you submit by post. If DUO approves your portfolio, its letter includes a form to register for the interview.

If you chose the interview route, register for the final interview after DUO approves your portfolio.

DUO lists these waiting times in October 2026. Allow time for each stage and for another check if you need to correct your portfolio.

At the final interview, DUO asks about your result cards and why you gave those answers. You may speak only Dutch. DUO does not assess your Dutch: language mistakes do not count. If you fail, send your portfolio again, pay again and take a new interview.

For the 64-hour ONA course, choose a school listed on zoekinburgerschool.nl (External site, opens in a new tab). Ask whether it offers ONA and what the course costs.

After you finish the course, the school reports your attended hours to DUO online. If it cannot do that, use the Verklaring deelname cursus ONA form on the official ONA page.

Check your answers, timing and payment before sending your portfolio or attending the interview.

• Copying someone else's portfolio. The interview is about your own cards.
• Keeping a job you cannot do yet without a plan to solve the problem.
• Sending evidence that does not match the answer on a card.
• Leaving out a card 7 requirement, such as your address in the letter or year of birth in the CV.

• Waiting until the last week to collect proof, especially when you need help from a school or employer.
• Leaving no time for a corrected portfolio to be checked again.

• Paying before checking whether an ONA exemption applies.
• Missing the interview or cancelling it too late.

If you miss the interview or cancel it too late, you need to send the portfolio again, pay again and take a new interview.

If ONA is still listed as required in Mijn Inburgering, check exemptions before paying. DUO keeps the fee even if you receive an exemption later.

If you submit by post, plan for the final interview. If you submit online, choose between the interview and a 64-hour course. For the interview, practise explaining your own cards in simple Dutch. Start early enough for a 6-week portfolio check and another 6-week check if corrections are needed.

Continue with these pages:

• ONA exemptions: who qualifies and how to apply
• ONA: the whole portfolio, course and interview process
• Integration exam registration