ONA Portfolio for Inburgering: Complete Guide to Passing

ONA is the part of the inburgering exam that confuses people the most. Unlike the other five components — which are all structured tests with clear right and wrong answers — ONA is portfolio-based. There is no multiple-choice exam, no timed writing task, and no computer-recorded speaking test. Instead, you build a collection of documents that prove you have explored the Dutch job market, and then you discuss that portfolio in a final interview.

This guide explains exactly what ONA is, what you need to include in your portfolio, how the final interview works, and practical strategies to pass. Whether you are just starting your inburgering journey or you have been putting ONA off until the last minute, this guide gives you a clear path forward.

What Is ONA?

ONA stands for Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt, which translates to “Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market.” It is the sixth and final component of the inburgering exam.

The purpose of ONA is to demonstrate that you have actively explored the Dutch job market and have a plan for your professional future in the Netherlands. The Dutch government considers labour market participation an essential part of integration, which is why it is a mandatory component alongside the language exams and KNM.

How ONA differs from other components

Component	Format	Duration	Scoring
Lezen (Reading)	Multiple-choice test	45 minutes	Automated
Luisteren (Listening)	Multiple-choice test	45 minutes	Automated
Schrijven (Writing)	Written tasks	40 minutes	Examiner-graded
Spreken (Speaking)	Computer-recorded tasks	20 minutes	Examiner-graded
KNM	Multiple-choice test	45 minutes	Automated
ONA	Portfolio + interview	15–20 min interview	Examiner assessment

ONA is the only component that requires preparation over an extended period. You cannot cram for it in a week. The portfolio documents activities that happened over weeks or months, so starting early is essential.

Who Needs to Complete ONA?

If you are required to complete the inburgering exam, ONA is one of the 6 components you must pass. This applies whether you fall under the old integration law or the Wet inburgering 2021.

Under the Wet inburgering 2021 (for people who started their inburgering on or after January 1, 2022), ONA is part of all three learning routes:

• B1-route — standard route, ONA required
• Onderwijsroute (Education route) — ONA may be fulfilled through educational enrollment
• Zelfredzaamheidsroute (Self-sufficiency route) — ONA requirements may be adapted

Your municipality and your PIP (Plan Inburgering en Participatie) specify exactly what is expected of you. If you are unsure about your specific ONA requirements, check with your klantmanager at the gemeente.

What Goes in Your ONA Portfolio

Your ONA portfolio is a collection of documents that together tell the story of your engagement with the Dutch labour market. Think of it as evidence that you have taken concrete steps toward employment or education in the Netherlands.

Here is what to include:

1. Your CV (Dutch format)

A properly formatted Dutch CV is the foundation of your portfolio. The Dutch CV format differs from what you may be used to in other countries.

Your CV should include:

• A professional photo (passport-style or professional headshot)
• Your full name and contact details
• A brief personal profile (2–3 sentences about who you are and what you are looking for)
• Work experience (most recent first, with descriptions of responsibilities)
• Education and qualifications
• Skills (languages, computer skills, certifications)
• Any relevant volunteer work or internships in the Netherlands

Tips for your CV:

• Keep it to 1–2 pages maximum
• Write it in Dutch (this demonstrates your language skills as well)
• Use a clean, professional layout
• Include any Dutch qualifications or credential evaluations (diplomawaardering)

2. Evidence of job search activities

You need to show that you have actively looked for work or taken steps toward employment. This can include:

• Screenshots of job applications you have submitted (via werk.nl, Indeed.nl, LinkedIn, etc.)
• Emails to or from employers — applications, responses, interview invitations
• Records of job interviews — dates, companies, outcomes
• Registration with employment agencies (uitzendbureaus)
• Your werk.nl profile showing active job-seeker status

3. Proof of networking and job market events

Attending events related to the Dutch job market shows initiative. Include evidence of:

• Job fairs (banenmarkten) you attended — save tickets, photos, or confirmation emails
• Company open days or information sessions
• Networking events organized by your gemeente, library, or integration organizations
• Career workshops or job application training sessions
• Meetings with employment coaches or career advisors

4. Education and training documentation

If your path involves further education rather than immediate employment, include:

• Enrollment confirmation in a Dutch educational program (MBO, HBO, university)
• Certificates from completed courses or training programs
• Credential evaluation (diplomawaardering) from Nuffic or another recognized body
• Evidence of vocational training or apprenticeships

5. Personal action plan

Your action plan is a document you write yourself that outlines:

• What kind of work or education you are pursuing
• What steps you have taken so far
• What your next steps are
• Your short-term goals (next 6 months) and long-term goals (1–3 years)
• Any obstacles you have identified and how you plan to address them

This action plan shows that you have thought seriously about your future in the Netherlands and are not just going through the motions.

6. Additional supporting documents

Anything else that demonstrates your engagement with Dutch professional life:

• Volunteer work documentation (hours, organization, duties)
• Internship confirmation letters
• Reference letters from Dutch employers or supervisors
• LinkedIn profile screenshot showing professional network building
• Proof of professional skills — certificates, licenses, or portfolio work

ONA Portfolio Checklist

Use this checklist to make sure your portfolio is complete before your interview:

• Dutch-format CV with photo, up to date
• At least 3–5 job applications or employer contacts documented
• Proof of at least 2 job market events attended (job fairs, workshops, open days)
• Registration on werk.nl or similar job platforms
• Personal action plan with short-term and long-term goals
• Any education enrollment or training certificates
• Credential evaluation (diplomawaardering) if applicable
• Volunteer work or internship documentation if applicable
• All documents organized in a folder or binder, clearly labeled
• Documents in Dutch where possible (or with translations)

The Final Interview: What to Expect

The ONA final interview is the second part of the assessment. After reviewing your portfolio, an examiner meets with you to discuss its contents.

How the interview works

• Duration: approximately 15–20 minutes
• Language: the interview is conducted in Dutch
• Format: conversational, not adversarial — the examiner asks about your portfolio and plans
• Location: at a DUO exam location or, under the new law, possibly arranged through your gemeente

Common interview questions

The examiner will typically ask questions like:

• “Can you tell me about your work experience?” (Kunt u vertellen over uw werkervaring?)
• “What kind of work are you looking for in the Netherlands?” (Wat voor werk zoekt u in Nederland?)
• “What steps have you taken to find work?” (Welke stappen heeft u genomen om werk te vinden?)
• “Have you attended any job fairs or networking events?” (Heeft u banenmarkten of netwerkevenementen bezocht?)
• “What are your career goals for the next year?” (Wat zijn uw carrièredoelen voor het komende jaar?)
• “What challenges have you faced in your job search?” (Welke uitdagingen bent u tegengekomen bij het zoeken naar werk?)
• “How do you plan to use your skills in the Netherlands?” (Hoe bent u van plan uw vaardigheden in Nederland te gebruiken?)

How to prepare for the interview

1. Practice talking about your portfolio in Dutch. Go through each section and practice explaining what it contains and why you included it. You do not need perfect grammar — clarity and confidence matter more.

2. Prepare answers to common questions. Write out short answers to the questions listed above and practice saying them aloud. You can use the same speaking practice techniques from the spreken exam.

3. Know your own portfolio inside and out. The examiner will ask about specific documents. If you included a screenshot of a job application, be ready to discuss that specific application — what the job was, why you applied, what happened.

4. Be honest. If you have not found work yet, that is fine. The point is to show that you have made genuine efforts and have a realistic plan. Pretending to have done more than you actually did will fall apart under questioning.

5. Show your motivation. Examiners are assessing whether you have genuinely engaged with the Dutch job market. Enthusiasm and a clear plan go a long way, even if your job search has not yet led to employment.

How ONA Fits Into the Inburgering Timeline

ONA is often the component people leave until last, which is a mistake. Because ONA requires documenting activities over time, starting early gives you the best chance of building a strong portfolio.

Here is a recommended timeline for ONA alongside your other preparation:

Month 1–2 (Start of inburgering)

• Create your Dutch-format CV
• Register on werk.nl
• Start attending job market events when available
• Begin your personal action plan draft

Month 3–6

• Apply for jobs or internships (even if you are still learning Dutch)
• Attend at least 2 job fairs or workshops
• Get your diploma evaluated by Nuffic if needed
• Update your CV and action plan as you progress

Month 7–12

• Continue documenting activities
• Finalize your portfolio
• Practice your interview answers in Dutch
• Schedule your ONA assessment

This timeline runs parallel to your language exam preparation. While you study for lezen, luisteren, schrijven, spreken, and KNM, you are simultaneously building your ONA portfolio through real-world activities.

For a complete study schedule that integrates all 6 components, see our 8-week inburgering study plan or the general exam preparation guide.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Starting too late

This is the number one ONA mistake. People focus entirely on the language exams and KNM, then realize with a few weeks left that they still need to complete ONA. A last-minute portfolio with minimal documentation is unlikely to pass. Start collecting evidence from day one of your inburgering process.

2. Submitting a thin portfolio

A portfolio with just a CV and one or two job applications may not be enough. Examiners want to see a pattern of engagement — multiple activities over time that show genuine effort. Aim for a portfolio that includes at least 8–10 pieces of evidence across different categories.

3. Not writing the portfolio in Dutch

While not every document needs to be in Dutch (a certificate from your home country is fine in its original language), your CV, action plan, and any self-written documents should be in Dutch. This demonstrates your language progress and shows commitment to integration.

4. Being unable to discuss your portfolio

Some people put together a good portfolio but cannot talk about it in the interview. If someone else wrote your CV or action plan for you, you may struggle to explain what it contains. Make sure you understand and can discuss every document in your portfolio in basic Dutch.

5. Forgetting to document activities as they happen

If you attend a job fair but do not save the ticket, flyer, or a photo, you have no evidence. Make a habit of documenting everything: save emails, take screenshots, keep confirmation messages, photograph event materials. It is much easier to collect evidence in the moment than to reconstruct it months later.

6. Ignoring the personal action plan

Some people treat the action plan as an afterthought, writing a few vague sentences about “wanting to find work.” A strong action plan is specific: it names the type of work you are interested in, identifies concrete next steps, and acknowledges challenges honestly. This document shows the examiner that you have thought critically about your professional future.

Tips for Specific Situations

• Already employed? Include your employment contract, a reference from your employer, and documentation of how you found the job. Your interview will focus on your career development plans.
• Stay-at-home parent? ONA does not require employment — it requires engagement. Include volunteer work, school activities, community participation, and plans for returning to work or education.
• Planning to pursue education? Focus on enrollment confirmation, credential evaluation, course certificates, and a clear plan connecting education to employment. The onderwijsroute recognizes education as a valid path.
• Limited work experience? Include volunteer work, skills training, and a strong action plan. Initiative and willingness count significantly in the assessment.

ONA Under the Wet Inburgering 2021

If you started your inburgering on or after January 1, 2022, the new law changes how ONA works. Your gemeente plays a larger role, ONA is integrated into your PIP (Plan Inburgering en Participatie), and the exact requirements may vary by municipality. Some gemeenten organize group ONA sessions, job fairs, or workshops specifically for people completing their inburgering. Check with your klantmanager for local specifics.

Regardless of which law applies to you, the core requirement remains the same: demonstrate that you have genuinely engaged with the Dutch labour market and have a plan for your professional future.

Start Building Your Portfolio Today

ONA does not have to be stressful. If you start early and document activities as they happen, you will have a complete portfolio long before your deadline. The key is to treat ONA as an ongoing project that runs alongside your language study, not as a separate exam to cram for at the end.

For a broader overview of all 6 inburgering components and how they fit together, read our complete exam preparation guide. And if you want to know more about the knowledge of Dutch society component, our KNM study guide covers everything you need.

Ready to start your inburgering preparation? Try Inburgering Coach — it covers KNM, vocabulary, and writing practice for free, so you can focus your other time on building your ONA portfolio and preparing for the language exams.