Currently, residence documents are usually issued in the form of electronic identity documents, i.e., smart cards with photos and security features, often biometric or with an identification chip. These cards usually have a different design than the identity document for citizens of the host country and are issued by different authorities (usually the Ministry or Immigration Office). However, in some countries, the design is the same, or very similar, and the responsible authority is the same (usually the Ministry of the Interior).
The term "residence permit" is also common in many countries. However, its meaning can vary from the initial document (paper or digital) issued by the competent authority after the corresponding procedure, which grants the right to residency (and usually includes the foreigner's identification number for the first time), and from which the cardholder can be applied for, to other times the term refers to the residence card itself.
Although most countries now issue resident documents of this nature, there are still countries that indicate resident status—even in the case of permanent residents—in the passport, This serves as the holder's identity and residence document for all purposes. At the same time, a residence document, even if issued in the form of a smart card, often only certifies the legal status of its bearer, whose identity for official purposes (administrative procedures, internal travel, etc.) also requires a passport (which is the case in European Union countries).
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