Foreign Nationals Identity Document (model 2026)
A Foreign Nationals Identity Document (VI) is a valid proof of identity. There are 3 types: the type W-document, the type W2-document and the type O-document. Find out how they look and how to know whether the document is genuine.
Foreign Nationals Identity Document: Type W-document (model 2026)
A Type W Foreign Nationals Identity Document is for persons who have submitted a application for a asylum residence permit and are still waiting for a decision by the IND.
They can demonstrate their identity, nationality and legal residence in the Netherlands with the Foreign Nationals Identity Document. The document is not a residence permit. It is also not a travel document.
If people with a Foreign Nationals Identity Document (in Dutch: Vreemdelingen Identiteitsbewijs), type W want to work in the Netherlands, the employer must apply for a work permit (tewerkstellingsvergunning, TWV) from UWV. At the moment, there are 3 types of type W documents:
- Type W document without a work status (in Dutch: arbeidsmarktaantekening) on the back, issued after 12 June 2026.
- Type W document with the following text on the back: “TWV vereist voor specifieke arbeid, andere arbeid niet toegestaan” (TWV required for specific work, other work not permitted). This document was issued before 12 June 2026.
- Type W document with the following text on the back: “Arbeid vrij toegestaan. TWV niet vereist” (free to work, no TVW required). For this type of document, the employer does not need to apply for a TWV.
Foreign Nationals Identity Document: Type W2-document (model 2026)
A Type W2 Foreign Nationals Identity Document is for persons who are allowed to be in the Netherlands temporarily because of 1 of the following situations:
- The person is unable to travel because of illness and has therefore been granted postponement of departure.
- The person is a victim or witness-informant of human trafficking.
- The person has applied for asylum before, and has now applied for a residence permit for a different reason.
- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has issued an interim court order under Rule 39 of the Rules of Procedure of the ECHR, and the State of the Netherlands has applied for suspension of removal.
An insert sheet with a “general residence” sticker also belongs to the Foreign Nationals Identity Document W2. They can demonstrate their identity, nationality and legal residence in the Netherlands with the document and insert sheet. The document is not a residence permit. It is also not a travel document.
Foreign Nationals Identity Document: Type O-document (model 2026)
A Type O Foreign Nationals Identity Document is for persons who have fled from Ukraine and come under the European Temporary Protection Directive (Ukraine).
They can demonstrate their identity, nationality and legal residence in the Netherlands with the Foreign Nationals Identity Document. Persons with a Foreign Nationals Identity Card type O are allowed to work in the Netherlands. The employer does not need a work permit (in Dutch: tewerkstellingsvergunning or TWV) for this. The employer does have to notify UWV of the employment. The Labour Inspectorate carries out checks to make sure this is done.
The document is not a residence permit. It is also not a travel document.
Authenticity features (model 2026)
The offset background printing consists of complex patterns, multicoloured guilloche patterns, rainbow effect and anti-copy structures. Verifiable with the naked eye and using an illuminating magnifier.
Microtexts in offset background printing. Verifiable using an illuminating magnifier.
LASINK™ Helios is a (secondary) portrait applied in colour within a Diffractive Optical Variable Image Device (DOVID). This second small colour photo with birth year and tilt effect is found to the right of the main photo. The small colour photo changes colour depending on the angle at which it is viewed. Tilt the small colour photo until the two "traffic lights" appear red, green, blue. The traffic lights are in the upper left and lower right corners of the colour photo. Verifiable with the naked eye and by tilting the card.
To protect against copying, a complex, partially metallised and partially transparent Kinegram with diffractive elements is applied to the front, to the left of the portrait photograph. Verifiable by tilting the card and using an illuminating magnifier.
There is tactile relief on the left edge and right side of the front of the document. On the left edge it consists of a block pattern applied as a latent image and on the right side it consists of lines provided with text. Verifiable by touch, tilting the card, and using an illuminating magnifier.
Representation of the month and year of birth of the document holder applied by laser perforation. Verifiable using transmitted light.
The personalisation as well as the main photo are applied by laser engraving. In addition, the validity date and the CAN (Card Access Number) are tactile elements. Verifiable with the naked eye and by touch.
The Foreign Nationals Identity document has a QR code on both the front and back.
Front: The QR code is visible on the lower right side. The QR code contains the Card Access Number (CAN) that can be used to access the chip. The CAN is a 6-digit number. To establish a secure channel between the chip and an inspection system, the CAN is used as the password when setting up the connection.
Back: The QR code is visible on the lower right side. This QR code replaces the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) which is usually placed on the back of an identity document. The QR code incorporates the data that are also incorporated in an MRZ. To establish a secure channel between the chip and an inspection system, the QR code is used as the password when setting up the connection.
Optically variable ink is used for the IND designation which is printed in screen printing. Depending on the viewing angle, the ink changes colour from gold to green. Verifiable with the naked eye and by tilting the card.
Printing with 365nm UV ink is applied to both the front and back. The fixed document data are UV-printed and, in addition, complex patterns, rainbow effect and microtexts are included in yellow and blue. Verifiable using a 365nm UV flashlight or illuminating magnifier.
