Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service improves ease of identity verification of asylum seekers with portrait-oriented ID documents provided by IDEMIA Smart Identity

Amsterdam—June 18, 2025: The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) today announced that, in the second half of 2025, it will introduce new identity documents for asylum seekers. Compliant with a new ICAO standard on vertically oriented identity cards, the new asylum seeker card allows for a greatly increased portrait image size, facilitating better manual verification of the individual’s identity.

The new identity card features several high-end security attributes, including a KINEGRAM, an optically variable image device with metallized parts, a perforated Tilted Laser Number that connects the front and the reverse of the ID card, and advanced relief structures. Like the Dutch travel documents introduced in October 2024, the new ID document for asylum seekers will be personalized with a second color photo protected by LASINK™ Helios.

LASINK™ Helios is a full-color secondary portrait within a Diffractive Optically Variable Image Device (DOVID), which is based on two proven technologies in the ID security market: IDEMIA Smart Identity’s LASINK™ color portrait and diffractive optical technology. The secondary portrait validates the main portrait, thus confirming the identity of the document holder and reinforcing security.

With the introduction of a portrait-oriented identity card for asylum seekers, we combine two important elements: We follow the highest security standards of the identity documents, spearheaded by the Dutch National Office for Identity Data (RvIG), while being able to increase the size of the portrait image for ease of inspection by police officers and civil servants. This combination of both the highest security and ease of use will not only enhance security by ensuring each asylum seeker has an ID card that can be trusted but will enable refugees to become an active, trusted part of our society while waiting for their application to be approved.
Ronald Belser, Senior R&D Advisor, IND

We are proud to be at the side of our longest-standing clients when they, yet again, introduce truly pioneering technology and solutions to the field. A secure and easy-to-inspect identity card for asylum seekers will bring security to us as the hosting society, as well as reassurance for the refugees as it is the first step for them to potentially receive an EU residence permit. IDEMIA Smart Identity is happy to contribute to this purpose.
Jacques van Zijp, Managing Director, IDEMIA Smart Identity, the Netherlands

IDEMIA Smart Identity already provides multiple solutions to the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, beyond the issuance of passports and eID cards. In addition to turnkey solutions in Dutch municipalities and embassies for the biometric enrollment of citizens, IDEMIA Smart Identity also provides and manages the central eID credentials register.