New information has been posted on the TSA TWIC website. The
issues addressed are TWIC “OneVisit”; new name for TWIC enrollment centers; a reminder
that no appointments are necessary for TWIC services – for services, the person
can just walk in to an enrollment center, and an update on the card production
delay reported on the site in June. The homepage also continues to contain
information about the new card topography features, which is very important for
port security stakeholders and especially facility personnel with specific
security duties who will be checking the cards.
Concerning the “OneVisit”, there’s no getting around visiting
an enrollment center to get your TWIC. If you choose to receive your card by
mail you will still be required to make one visit to an enrollment center to
complete the enrollment process.
Below is the text from the site:
1) TWIC “OneVisit”—Now Available Everywhere: TWIC cards can now be mailed directly to your
home, or other location, instead of returning to an enrollment center to pick
up your card. This applies to new or
renewed enrollment cards, Extended Expiration Date (EED) TWICs (see item 8
below), or replacements for lost, stolen, or damaged cards. If you choose to receive your card by mail
you will only be required to make one visit to an enrollment center to complete
the enrollment process. When you receive
your card it will be activated and ready to use. A mailer with the card’s preset Personal
Identification Number (PIN) will be sent to you separately. You may also choose to pick up your card at
an enrollment center. If you pick up
your card at an enrollment center you can select your PIN. If you receive your card by mail and want to
change your preset PIN you can visit any enrollment center to have it set to
your selected PIN at no cost.
2) New Name for TWIC Enrollment Centers: Enrollment centers now provide services for
TWIC as well as TSA’s TSA Pre✓™
and Hazardous Material Endorsement (HME) programs. Instead of looking for a “TWIC Enrollment Center” sign look
for a “Universal Enrollment Services” or “UES”
sign. When you need to apply for or
renew your TWIC be sure to check the UES Locator web site to find the nearest
UES center.
3) Reminder—Appointments are Not Necessary: All TWIC services are available at UES
enrollment centers to walk-ins as well as those with appointments. Those with appointments receive priority
service at their appointment time, but walk-ins are served in the order they
arrive. The appointment schedules at
each enrollment center allow for time to serve walk-ins. If you need to apply for a TWIC, or pick up a
card, and can’t find a convenient appointment go to the enrollment center as a
walk-in. The average wait time at
enrollment centers is 15 minutes or less, although at peak times longer waits
may be experienced.
4) Card Production Delay Update: The temporary delays in
delivering some TWIC cards announced here in June are significantly
reduced. The delays were caused by the
transition to a new data and card production system. The change was required to more effectively
support TSA’s mission. All TWIC
enrollments and card requests are now being processed through the new
system. Delays experienced in June and
July have diminished, however some residual delays are still occurring. Applicants should expect to receive their new
TWIC in three weeks or less. Those whose
applications require review by a TSA adjudicator will experience an additional
three to four week delay. TSA continues
to work diligently to further minimize delays and will continue to do so until
program goals for processing all applications are achieved. You may check your application status online
here or via the UES Call Center at 1-855-DHS-UES1 (855-347-8371).
