New Document Issue – Netherlands Foreign Nationals ID Document

On 15 April 2026, the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) introduced a new Foreign Nationals identity document (type W) for applicants awaiting a decision on a temporary or permanent asylum residence permit. The credential enables holders to prove identity, nationality and lawful stay in the Netherlands, while supporting rapid first-line checks in operational environments.

The card is fully aligned with ICAO TD1 provisions for portrait-oriented (vertical) ID layouts, reflecting the industry shift towards formats that improve human inspection and reduce handling time at control points. In this design, the laser-engraved portrait is enlarged and rendered with finer visible detail, strengthening resilience against photo substitution and other portrait-centred attacks.

A 2D barcode is also incorporated to provide fast access to document data for appropriate readers, supporting quicker processing without relying solely on visual examination. The Netherlands’ implementation is presented as the third portrait-oriented ID card worldwide, following deployments in Iceland and Cameroon.