Vertical Identity Documents: A New Canvas for Optical Security?

The introduction of portrait-format identity cards signifies a shift in how governments approach ID design. With Iceland’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) compliant vertical ID launched in 2024 and Cameroon’s in 2025 (see page 4), the transition from landscape to portrait layouts offers a new canvas for optical security.

New layout – new security possibilities

The revised ICAO TD1 specification, published in September 2023, officially facilitates this change. It provides flexibility in presenting personal data and the overall visual structure, most notably by allowing a larger portrait photo to assist with face matching and manual verification. This change also reconfigures the space available for optical security features.

Some countries are already adapting their optical elements – such as holograms, optically variable inks (OVI), UV features, and machine-readable elements (MLE) – to align with the vertical format. This shift alters the design flow and may also change the position and function of various security layers.