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Home / Travelling to Canada / Planning your travel

Planning your travel

Studying abroad is a very exciting opportunity, but it’s important to be organized and prepared. Make sure you review travel requirements and have all appropriate documentation before arriving in Canada.

Updated February 21, 2024

All COVID-19 emergency border measures have ended

All federal border testing, quarantine, and isolation requirements have now ended. 

Travel restrictions may change with little warning. Please visit the Government of Canada’s  COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders  website for the most up-to-date information on planning your travel.

Travelling to Canada

Confirm entry requirements for canada.

Before you travel, you should ensure that you meet the requirements for entry to Canada.

International students must meet the following requirements:

• Visit the Government of Canada website for a full list of study permit exemptions.
• Confirm if you need a visa or eTA
• Check your eTA status online  if you are not sure if you already have one.
• If you applied for a study permit outside Canada, your TRV or eTA will have been issued automatically upon approval of your application.

Submit travel information via ArriveCAN

ArriveCAN  is a federal government app you can use to submit travel information if you are flying into select airports in Canada.  Use of ArriveCAN is no longer mandatory.

• Vancouver international airport (YVR)
• Toronto Pearson international airport (YYZ) (Terminals 1 and 3)
• Montreal-Trudeau international airport (YUL)
• Winnipeg Richardson International Airport (YWG)
• Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
• Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)
• Calgary International Airport (YYC)
• Ottawa International Airport (YOW)
• Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
• Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) 
• Using ArriveCAN is free! Do not engage with any websites or apps that demand payment for using ArriveCAN. 

Review documents for entry

You must carry supporting documents to demonstrate you meet the requirements for entry to Canada.

Please ensure you have the following documents with you for travel:

• Valid passport, or other accepted travel document
• Valid temporary resident visa or eTA (if required)
• Valid study permit or letter of introduction that shows you have been approved for a study permit.
• If you require a copy of your letter of acceptance or study permit information letter, please contact your program area.
• Please note that these letters may take multiple business days to process, so if you would like one for travel you should request it well in advance.
• As soon as you have course registration with Continuing Studies, you will have access to your term-by-term VOE through Continuing Studies My Account  > Online Request Forms.
• Proof of a valid  immigration medical examination  (if required)
• Proof that you have enough money  to support yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada
• Advanced Declaration confirmation email, if you submitted an Advanced Declaration through ArriveCAN

If you have questions about your travel documents, you can connect with an International Student Advisor by email at [email protected]  or you can contact the  Canadian Border Services Agency  (CBSA) for more information.

Other documents

You should also bring any of the following documents that apply to your situation:

• birth certificate or baptismal certificate
• driver's licence
• vehicle registration, licence and insurance papers
• immunization, vaccination, dental and health records
• health insurance documents
• marriage certificate or  proof of common-law status
• separation or divorce papers
• adoption papers
• language proficiency scores
• official school records or academic transcripts (for anyone studying in Canada)
• medical or psychological documents  if you plan to access  accessible learning services  for students with a disability or short- or long-term health issues
• letters of reference from former employers
• letters of reference for future landlords, if you will be looking for housing after arrival
• documents required for entry into other countries you plan to visit

Make copies of all important documents and keep the copies in a safe place, separate from the originals.

Can students travel to Canada if their study permit application is still being processed?

Students whose study permit application is still being processed will need to wait to travel to Canada until they receive confirmation that their study permit application has been approved, and they receive the letter of introduction. Students should wait to make any travel arrangements until they have received their letter of introduction showing study permit approval and can meet any travel requirements or exemptions.

Upon arrival

Immigration documents.

When you arrive at the port of entry to Canada, a border agent will assess your eligibility to enter Canada and make a final decision on whether to allow entry. If you were approved for a new study permit from outside Canada, your study permit will also be issued (printed) at this time.

Make sure to check your  study permit  when it is issued to you, to ensure all the details are correct and the appropriate conditions have been imposed.

• Check that all details in the client information section are correct.
• We recommend carrying a  Verification of Enrollment (VOE)  from UVic as proof of your full-time student status. You can request a VOE through  Continuing Studies My Account  > Transcripts and request forms > Online Request Forms.

If you notice any errors on your documents, request changes before you leave Immigration. Be prepared to demonstrate your eligibility to work ( for example, by showing the officer a Verification of Enrollment from UVic confirming your full-time student status ), if needed.

After arrival

Getting vaccinated in bc.

International students are eligible to be vaccinated in BC for flu and COVID-19!

If you are  unvaccinated , see  how to get vaccinated for COVID-19 . If you don’t have a Personal Health Number (PHN) yet, you will need to register by phone. A PHN will be created for you when you register. (*Important: This  temporary PHN  is not  medical insurance .  You still need to apply for the BC Medical Services Plan [MSP] as soon as possible).

If you are  partially vaccinated or were vaccinated outside of BC or Canada , see Can I get additional doses in B.C.?

• If it is recommended that you get another dose, follow the instructions to submit your current vaccination record and register for your vaccination.
• If you do not need another dose, follow the instructions to submit your current vaccination record, register in BC’s immunization registry, and download your BC Vaccine Card or Canadian Proof of Vaccination document.

Requirements for travel within Canada and leaving Canada

Proof of vaccination is no longer required to board an airplane or train in Canada. Wearing a mask during travel is strongly recommended but is no longer required. For more information, see  COVID-19: Travel, testing, and borders .

You do not need a COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination to board a plane or train in  Canada unless you are flying to a country that requires it . Make sure to research the entry requirements of your destination before you travel.

Please check with your travel provider to confirm any documents (such as identification documents) required for boarding.

Proof of vaccination documents

Canadian proof of vaccination document.

• The Canadian (federal) proof of vaccination can be used when travelling within and outside of Canada.
• To get your document, go to and use your Personal Health Number (PHN) to download your document. Save a  digital copy  to your phone  and/or  print a  paper copy.
• If you plan to use this document for travel to other countries, be sure to research whether or not it will be accepted in your destination.
• See  About the Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination  for current information.

BC Vaccine Card (proof of vaccination)  

• As of April 8, 2022, there is no requirement for events, services or businesses to check proof of vaccination. Individual businesses and event organizers may opt to continue to require proof of vaccination for entry to their premises. For information about this program, see  Proof of vaccination .

We know that the impact of this global pandemic has made starting, and continuing, student studies more complex. Please know that we are here to support students and look forward to welcoming them to the the Division of Continuing Studies at UVic.

If admitted students have questions, or need assistance, please email [email protected] .

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Travel grants offered jointly by the GSS and Faculty of Graduate Studies for graduate students attending conferences. (See also the Distance Education Travel Grant).

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Conference travel grants supports graduate student travel to conferences, meetings, workshops, or research activities. The Faculty of Graduate Studies administers this fund, which is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible graduate students. Priority is given to first time recipients.

This grant is not available for assistance with course required travel. However, if you are travelling internationally for exchange, co-op placements or field schools, you may also be eligible for the Student international activities fund.

If you are working as a Teaching Assistant you may also be eligible for CUPE 4163 Component 1’s Conference Fund .

 Please note that you must submit the completed grant form to the Office of the Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Room A207, University Centre.

Trip.com: Q1 Earnings Snapshot

SINGAPORE — SINGAPORE — Trip.com Group Limited (TCOM) on Monday reported net income of $597 million in its first quarter.

The Singapore-based company said it had net income of 88 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to 83 cents per share.

The travel services company posted revenue of $1.65 billion in the period.

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Disrupting Irregular Migration: Best Practices in Response to Recent Developments in the Aviation Sector

The Departments of State, Homeland Security, and the Treasury are jointly issuing this alert to notify airlines, air charter operators, travel agents, and service providers of the ways in which migrant smuggling and human trafficking networks are exploiting legitimate transportation services to facilitate irregular migration to the United States. This statement conveys the U.S. government’s efforts to promote responsible practices in the industry, prevent and disrupt illicit activity, and enhance compliance with lawful immigration and migration pathways. It follows an important announcement by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and several member airlines of their commitment to strengthen collaboration with governments and international organizations to address irregular migration and to consider commercial measures to minimize illicit travel.

Recent developments in the aviation sector, described below, expose migrants, airlines, air charter operators, travel agents, and service providers to increased safety, economic, reputational, financial, logistical, and legal risks. This statement identifies a number of recommendations that could help industry stakeholders and governments reduce their exposure to risks associated with facilitating irregular migration.

Migrants are increasingly traversing the region using Managua as a disembarkation point to continue the journey northward by overland means. The United States has shared releasable intelligence with the aviation sector highlighting this trend and underscoring the need for greater enforcement of airline policies with respect to flights in and out of Managua. In particular, actions by the Nicaraguan government are of grave concern. President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo have put in place permissive-by-design migration policies that have introduced opportunities for migrant smuggling and trafficking networks to exploit migrants for economic gain and fuel dangerous, irregular travel towards the U.S. southwest border.

There are numerous examples of how ruthless smuggling networks have taken advantage of these routes:

In September 2023, Ofelia Hernandez-Salas was extradited to the United States by Mexico for allegedly conspiring with other smugglers to facilitate the travel of large numbers of migrants into the United States from and through Bangladesh, Yemen, Pakistan, Eritrea, India, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Russia, Egypt, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico. Hernandez-Salas took advantage of commercial routes and charter flights to facilitate the movement of individuals to the U.S. southwest border.

In December 2023, French authorities thwarted an attempt by an organization to move individuals from India, through France, into Nicaragua for further transportation and smuggling arrangements to the U.S. southwest border. More recently, in May 2024, authorities in Jamaica refused entry to a charter flight of irregular migrants that were seeking to travel to the U.S. southwest border.

In May 2024, an Egyptian court initiated the trial of 16 individuals accused of smuggling migrants to the United States. The individuals face criminal charges related to organized crime and human smuggling. According to the charges, the group arranged air transportation of migrants and placed the migrants in dangerous, degrading, and inhuman circumstances throughout the smuggling process.

Recommended Industry Actions

The following are recommended best practices, subject to applicable laws and regulations and, as appropriate according to their risk, based on: (i) their role; (ii) the information available to them; and (iii) the types of transactions in which they engage:

Recommendation 1: Monitor high-risk routes. Proactive measures to identify flight segments/routes known to be used by migrants and migrant smuggling or human trafficking networks can prevent the exploitation of those routes. The United States is closely tracking this issue and can provide relevant information to support airline efforts. IATA and several airlines already have announced voluntary steps industry can take in support of this effort.

Recommendation 2: Report companies that trigger concerns. Industry participants can report concerning activity, including information about travel agencies known or suspected to be engaging in activities supporting irregular migration and migrant smuggling or human trafficking networks to their U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) liaisons, relevant law enforcement and civil aviation authorities, and IATA. As appropriate, carriers may take proactive administrative actions, such as by restricting the ability of agencies known or suspected to be supporting irregular migration to conduct financial transactions with airlines for the purpose of making reservations and ticketing.

Recommendation 3: Undertake appropriate due diligence. Airlines can reduce risk by carrying out appropriate due diligence to protect against the exploitation of services. Conducting increased diligence when dealing with intermediary companies (e.g., travel agents or brokers) that conceal their ownership or otherwise engage in unusually opaque practices. Doing so can help mitigate deceptive practices that create risk.

Recommendation 4: Transmit Advance Passenger Information (API). All airlines should comply with government regulations requiring the transmission of accurate and timely Advance Passenger Information (API) prior to departure, beginning at 24 hours prior to scheduled takeoff to enable proper record checks and offload recommendations.

Actions the United States will Continue to Take to Halt Irregular Migration and the Exploitation of Migrant Populations:

Action 1: Government-to-Government Training and Information Sharing: The U.S. Government will work with governments to identify travel patterns and routes of concern and share indicators and best practices for addressing irregular migration.

Action 2: Industry Training: The U.S. Government will share information with and train airlines to help them detect migrant smuggling and human trafficking cases, signs of irregular migration, fraudulent documents, and imposters. Enhancing foreign partner passenger analysis units and helping them fully leverage Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) transmission will aid in illuminating emerging trends, targeting malafide passengers, and identifying migration facilitators.

Action 3: Visa Restrictions: Under Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 212(a)(3)(C), the Secretary of State has recently announced a visa restriction policy that targets owners, executives, and senior officials of companies providing transportation by land, sea, or charter air designed for use primarily by persons intending to migrate irregularly to the United States.

The State Department has taken steps to impose visa restrictions on several individuals and their family members for knowingly facilitating the travel of irregular migrants to the U.S. southwest border.

Action 4: Sanctioning transnational criminal organizations: The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) will continue to impose sanctions on transnational criminal organizations, including migrant smuggling organizations, their facilitators, and their support networks, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13581, as amended by E. O. 13863. OFAC is also prepared to use, as appropriate, other sanctions authorities to target human smuggling activity, including its Global Magnitsky authorities under E.O. 13818 that target persons involved in corruption or serious human rights abuses related to human smuggling and other irregular migration.

Sanctions actions apply broadly and carry serious consequences. OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons with or within the United States involving the property or interests in property of any individual or entity that is sanctioned. All U.S. persons must comply with OFAC’s prohibitions—including all U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens whether in the United States or abroad, all persons within the United States, and all U.S.-incorporated entities and their foreign branches. Violations of OFAC regulations could trigger civil or criminal penalties. Moreover, OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations based on strict liability, meaning that a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction may be held civilly liable even if that person did not know or have reason to know that it was engaging in a transaction that was prohibited under sanctions laws and regulations administered by OFAC.

Action 5: Investigate and prosecute migrant smuggling and human trafficking: The U.S. government will continue to investigate and prosecute migrant smuggling and human trafficking cases through collaboration with foreign governments and the aviation industry and pursue criminal charges against migrant smugglers and human traffickers, and their co-conspirators.

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Meningococcal Disease Cases Linked to Travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA): Ensure Pilgrims are Current on Meningococcal Vaccination

Distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network May 20 2024, 10:30 AM ET CDCHAN-00508

Summary The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to alert healthcare providers to cases of meningococcal disease linked to Umrah travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, that can be performed any time in the year; the Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage this year taking place June 14–19, 2024. Since April 2024, 12 cases of meningococcal disease linked to KSA travel for Umrah have been reported to national public health agencies in the United States (5 cases), France (4 cases), and the United Kingdom (3 cases). Two cases were in children aged ≤18 years, four cases were in adults aged 18–44 years, four cases were in adults aged 45–64 years, and two cases were in adults aged 65 years or older. Ten cases were in patients who traveled to KSA, and two were in patients who had close contact with travelers to KSA. Ten cases were caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W (NmW), one U.S. case was caused by serogroup C (NmC), and the serogroup is unknown for one U.S. case. Of nine patients with known vaccination status, all were unvaccinated. The isolates from the one U.S. NmC case and two NmW cases (one U.S., one France) were resistant to ciprofloxacin; based on whole-genome sequencing, the remaining eight NmW isolates were all sensitive to penicillin and ciprofloxacin.

In the United States, quadrivalent meningococcal (MenACWY) conjugate vaccination is routinely recommended for adolescents, and also recommended for travelers to countries where meningococcal disease is hyperendemic or epidemic, including a booster dose of MenACWY if the last dose was administered 3–5 or more years previously (depending on the age at most recent dose received). In addition, all Hajj and Umrah pilgrims aged one year and older are required by KSA to receive quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine. Healthcare providers should work with their patients considering travel to perform Hajj or Umrah to ensure that those aged one year or older have received a MenACWY conjugate vaccine within the last 5 years administered at least 10 days prior to arrival in KSA. Healthcare providers should also maintain increased suspicion for meningococcal disease in anyone presenting with symptoms of meningococcal disease after recent travel to KSA for Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage. U.S. health departments and healthcare providers should preferentially consider using rifampin, ceftriaxone, or azithromycin instead of ciprofloxacin for chemoprophylaxis of close contacts of meningococcal disease cases associated with travel to KSA.

Background Meningococcal disease , caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis , is a rare but severe illness with a case-fatality rate of 10–15%, even with appropriate antibiotic treatment. Meningococcal disease often presents as meningitis with symptoms that may include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, or altered mental status. Meningococcal disease may also present as a meningococcal bloodstream infection with symptoms that may include fever, chills, fatigue, vomiting, cold hands and feet, severe aches and pains, rapid breathing, diarrhea, or, in later stages, a petechial or dark purple rash (purpura fulminans). While initial symptoms of meningococcal disease can at first be nonspecific, they worsen rapidly and can become life-threatening within hours. Survivors may experience long-term effects such as deafness or amputations of the extremities. Immediate antibiotic treatment for meningococcal disease is critical. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures are indicated for patients with suspected meningococcal disease. Healthcare providers should not wait for diagnostic testing or receipt of laboratory results before initiating treatment for suspected cases of meningococcal disease.

Meningococcal disease outbreaks have occurred previously in conjunction with mass gatherings including the Hajj pilgrimage. The most recent global outbreak of meningococcal disease associated with travel to KSA for Hajj was in 2000–2001 and was primarily caused by NmW. Since 2002, KSA has required that all travelers aged one year or older performing Hajj or Umrah provide documentation of either a) a MenACWY polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4 is no longer available in the United States) within the last 3 years administered at least 10 days prior to arrival or b) a MenACWY conjugate vaccine within the last 5 years administered at least 10 days prior to arrival. This requirement aligns with ACIP recommendations for revaccination of U.S. travelers to endemic areas who received their last dose 3–5 or more years previously (depending on the age at most recent dose received). Nevertheless, meningococcal vaccination coverage among Umrah travelers is known to be incomplete.

Close contacts of people with meningococcal disease should receive antibiotic chemoprophylaxis as soon as possible after exposure, regardless of immunization status, ideally less than 24 hours after the index patient is identified. Ciprofloxacin, rifampin, and ceftriaxone are the first-line antibiotics recommended for use as chemoprophylaxis. However, ciprofloxacin-resistant strains of N. meningitidis have been emerging in the United States and globally. CDC recently released implementation guidance for the preferential use of other recommended prophylaxis antibiotics in areas with multiple cases caused by ciprofloxacin-resistant strains. Health departments should discontinue using ciprofloxacin as prophylaxis for close contacts when, in a catchment area during a rolling 12-month period, both a) ≥2 invasive meningococcal disease cases caused by ciprofloxacin-resistant strains have been reported, and b) cases caused by ciprofloxacin-resistant strains account for ≥20% of all reported invasive meningococcal disease cases. Though a catchment area is defined as a “single contiguous area that contains all counties reporting ciprofloxacin-resistant cases,” in this circumstance, it is more appropriate to determine the catchment population based on travel history rather than geographic location at the time of diagnosis. Among the 11 global cases associated with travel to KSA that have antimicrobial sensitivity results available, 3 cases (27%) were caused by ciprofloxacin-resistant strains. Rifampin, ceftriaxone, or azithromycin should be preferentially considered instead of ciprofloxacin as prophylaxis for close contacts in the United States of meningococcal disease cases associated with travel to KSA.

Recommendations for Healthcare Providers

• Recommend vaccination with MenACWY conjugate vaccine for people considering travel to KSA to perform Hajj or Umrah (pilgrims) in addition to routine meningococcal vaccination for adolescents and other people at increased meningococcal disease risk.
• Maintain a heightened index of suspicion for meningococcal disease among symptomatic people who have recently been in KSA and among close contacts of people who have recently been in KSA, regardless of vaccination status.
• Immediately notify state, tribal, local, or territorial health departments about any suspected or confirmed cases of meningococcal disease in the United States.
• Preferentially consider using rifampin, ceftriaxone, or azithromycin instead of ciprofloxacin as prophylaxis for close contacts in the United States of meningococcal disease cases associated with travel in KSA.

Recommendations for Health Departments

• Consider outreach to local communities to promote meningococcal vaccination for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims to KSA.
• Collect a detailed travel history for all reported cases of meningococcal disease.
• Continue to report cases of meningococcal disease in people who have recently been in KSA, or in close contacts of people who have recently been in KSA, to CDC at [email protected] in addition to routine reporting through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System ( NNDSS ).

Recommendations for the Public

• People considering travel to KSA to perform Hajj or Umrah should ensure they are current on vaccination with MenACWY vaccine as required by KSA . All travelers aged one year or older performing Hajj or Umrah should have received either a) a MenACWY polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4, no longer available in the United States) within the last 3 years administered at least 10 days prior to arrival or b) a quadrivalent MenACWY conjugate vaccine within the last 5 years administered at least 10 days prior to arrival.
• Symptoms of meningococcal meningitis may include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, photophobia (eyes being more sensitive to light), or altered mental status (confusion).
• Symptoms of meningococcal bloodstream infection may include fever and chills, fatigue, vomiting, cold hands and feet, severe aches and pains, rapid breathing, diarrhea, or, in later stages, a dark purple rash.
• Initial symptoms of meningococcal disease can at first be vague, but worsen rapidly, and can become life-threatening within hours.

For More Information

Healthcare Providers

• Clinical Information | Meningococcal Disease | CDC
• Meningococcal Vaccination: Information for Healthcare Professionals | CDC
• Meningococcal Disease | CDC Yellow Book 2024

Health Departments

• Meningococcal Disease Surveillance | CDC
• Meningococcal Disease | Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases | CDC
• Meningococcal Disease Outbreaks and Public Health Response | CDC
• Meningococcal Vaccination | CDC
• Signs and Symptoms | Meningococcal Disease | CDC
• Travelers’ Health: Saudi Arabia | CDC  
• Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Visit CDC-INFO or call 1-800-232-4636
• American Academy of Pediatrics. Meningococcal Infections. [Section 3]. In: Kimberlin DW, Barnett ED, Lynfield R, Sawyer MH, eds. Red Book: 2021–2024 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. Itasca, IL : American Academy of Pediatrics ; 2021;519–32. https://publications.aap.org/redbook/book/347/chapter/5754116/Meningococcal-Infections
• Mbaeyi SA, Bozio CH, Duffy J, et al. Meningococcal Vaccination: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2020. MMWR Recomm Rep 2020;69(No. RR-9):1–41. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.rr6909a1
• Badur S, Khalaf M, Öztürk S, et al. Meningococcal Disease and Immunization Activities in Hajj and Umrah Pilgrimage: A review. Infectious Diseases and Therapy 2022;11(4):1343–1369. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40121-022-00620-0
• Yezli S, Gautret P, Assiri AM, Gessner BD, Alotaibi B. Prevention of meningococcal disease at mass gatherings: Lessons from the Hajj and Umrah. Vaccine . 2018;36(31):4603–4609. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.06.030 .
• Berry I, Rubis AB, Howie RL, et al. Selection of Antibiotics as Prophylaxis for Close Contacts of Patients with Meningococcal Disease in Areas with Ciprofloxacin Resistance — United States, 2024. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024; 73:99–103. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7305a2
• Willerton L, Lucidarme J, Campbell H, et al. Geographically widespread invasive meningococcal disease caused by a ciprofloxacin resistant non-groupable strain of the ST-175 clonal complex. Journal of Infection 2020;81(4): 575–584. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinf.2020.08.030

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Frontier Airlines announces customer-friendly changes to its fare buckets and policies

• Frontier Airlines is simplifying its fare offerings with three new ticket tiers.
• All Frontier passengers will be able to cancel or change their tickets without having to pay an extra fee.
• The airline is also bringing back its customer service phone line.

Frontier Airlines announced a major streamlining of its fare offerings on Friday, as well as other customer-friendly changes that it said are meant to improve the experience of purchasing tickets and flying on the ultra low-cost carrier.

"Today marks the beginning of a new era for Frontier – one with transparency in our prices, no change fees and the lowest total price," Barry Biffle, Frontier’s CEO, said in a statement . "This is 'The New Frontier' and we are committed to offering more than the lowest fares – we deliver the best price for all the options you want and the customer support you need, when you need it. No gimmicks, just really low prices and good customer service."

Here are the changes that go into effect on Friday.

New fare bundles

Travelers frequently complained that Frontier’s pricing structure was opaque. Its a la carte model meant passengers had to buy bundles or individual extras in addition to their ticket for things like seat assignments and carry-on or checked baggage.

While that for-purchase product will still be available with Frontier’s lowest-priced Basic tickets under the new structure, the airline is simplifying its pricing with three new ticket tiers that include more amenities and services in the bundled price:

• Economy bundle, starting at $30 per person per direction, includes a carry-on bag and seat selection. Customers can still pay extra to check a bag with an economy ticket as well.
• Premium bundle, starting at $50 per person per direction, includes premium seat selection and early boarding as well as all the perks of economy tickets. 
• Business bundle, starting at $100 per person per direction, includes all the previously mentioned perks as well as UpFront Plus seat selection (Frontier’s extra legroom rows, which also keep the middle seat empty), as well as up to two 50-pound checked bags.

No change fees

Aside from travelers buying the lowest-price Basic tickets, all Frontier passengers will be able to cancel or change their tickets without having to pay an extra fee. The airline is also extending the validity period for flight credits to give passengers whose plans change even more flexibility. Newly-issued Frontier credits will be valid for 12 months. Previously, they expired after three months.

Customer service phone line

Frontier caught a lot of flak for nixing its customer service phone line in 2022, and now the airline is reversing course.

All travelers whose flights are within 24 hours will be able to call for live phone assistance if they encounter issues with their trip, and elite frequent flyer members can call any time. The airline will also soon offer a callback service for other inquiries, though a date for that has yet to be announced. 

Cruising Altitude: There was no Golden Age of flying. We're in it now.

Low price guarantee

Frontier is also hoping to entice travelers with a low price guarantee. The new policy will award passengers 2,500 frequent flyer miles if they find a lower price for a comparable flight on another airline on the same route and date. In order to claim the miles, travelers will still have to complete their trip on Frontier. Full conditions of the guarantee can be found here on the airline’s website .

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected].

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

In the tech world and beyond, new 5G applications are being discovered every day. From driverless cars to smarter cities, farms, and even shopping experiences, the latest standard in wireless networks is poised to transform the way we interact with information, devices and each other. What better time to take a closer look at how humans are putting 5G to use to transform their world.

What is 5G?

5G (fifth-generation mobile technology  is the newest standard for cellular networks. Like its predecessors, 3G, 4G and 4G LTE, 5G technology uses radio waves for data transmission. However, due to significant improvements in latency, throughput and bandwidth, 5G is capable of faster download and upload speeds than previous networks.

Since its release in 2019, 5G broadband technology has been hailed as a breakthrough technology with significant implications for both consumers and businesses. Primarily, this is due to its ability to handle large volumes of data that is generated by complex devices that use its networks.

As mobile technology has expanded over the years, the number of data users generate every day has increased exponentially. Currently, other transformational technologies like  artificial intelligence (AI),  the  Internet of Things (IoT ) and  machine learning (ML)  require faster speeds to function than 3G and 4G networks offer. Enter 5G, with its lightning-fast data transfer capabilities that allow newer technologies to function in the way they were designed to.

Here are some of the biggest differences between 5G and previous wireless networks.

• Physical footprint : The transmitters that are used in 5G technology are smaller than in predecessors’ networks, allowing for discrete placement in out-of-the-way places. Furthermore, “cells”—geographical areas that all wireless networks require for connectivity—in 5G networks are smaller and require less power to run than in previous generations.
• Error rates : 5G’s adaptive Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS), a schematic that wifi devices use to transmit data, is more powerful than ones in 3G and 4G networks. This makes 5G’s Block Error Rate (BER)—a metric of error frequency—much lower. 
• Bandwidth : By using a broader spectrum of radio frequencies than previous wireless networks, 5G networks can transmit on a wider range of bandwidths. This increases the number of devices that they can support at any given time.
• Lower latency : 5G’s low  latency , a measurement of the time it takes data to travel from one location to another, is a significant upgrade over previous generations. This means that routine activities like downloading a file or working in the cloud is going to be faster with a 5G connection than a connection on a different network.

Like all wireless networks, 5G networks are separated into geographical areas that are known as cells. Within each cell, wireless devices—such as smartphones, PCs, and IoT devices—connect to the internet via radio waves that are transmitted between an antenna and a base station. The technology that underpins 5G is essentially the same as in 3G and 4G networks. But due to its lower latency, 5G networks are capable of delivering faster download speeds—in some cases as high as 10 gigabits per second (Gbps).

As more and more devices are built for 5G speeds, demand for 5G connectivity is growing. Today, many popular Internet Service Providers (ISPs), such as Verizon, Google and AT&T, offer 5G networks to homes and businesses. According to Statista,  more than 200 million homes  and businesses have already purchased it with that number expected to at least double by 2028 (link resides outside ibm.com).

Let’s take a look at three areas of technological improvement that have made 5G so unique.

New telecom specifications

The 5G NR (New Radio) standard for cellular networks defines a new radio access technology (RAT) specification for all 5G mobile networks. The 5G rollout began in 2018 with a global initiative known as the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3FPP). The initiative defined a new set of standards to steer the design of devices and applications for use on 5G networks.

The initiative was a success, and 5G networks grew swiftly in the ensuing years. Today, 45% of networks worldwide are 5G compatible, with that number forecasted to rise to 85% by the end of the decade according to  a recent report by Ericsson  (link resides outside ibm.com).

Independent virtual networks (network slicing)

On 5G networks, network operators can offer multiple independent virtual networks (in addition to public ones) on the same infrastructure. Unlike previous wireless networks, this new capability allows users to do more things remotely with greater security than ever before. For example, on a 5G network, enterprises can create use cases or business models and assign them their own independent virtual network. This dramatically improves the user experience for their employees by adding greater customizability and security.

Private networks

In addition to network slicing, creating a 5G private network can also enhance personalization and security features over those available on previous generations of wireless networks. Global businesses seeking more control and mobility for their employees increasingly turn to private 5G network architectures rather than public networks they’ve used in the past.

Now that we better understand how 5G technology works, let’s take a closer look at some of the exciting applications it’s enabling.

Autonomous vehicles

From taxi cabs to drones and beyond, 5G technology underpins most of the next-generation capabilities in autonomous vehicles. Until the 5G cellular standard came along, fully autonomous vehicles were a bit of a pipe dream due to the data transmission limitations of 3G and 4G technology. Now, 5G’s lightning-fast connection speeds have made transport systems for cars, trains and more, faster than previous generations, transforming the way systems and devices connect, communicate and collaborate.

Smart factories

5G, along with AI and ML, is poised to help factories become not only smarter but more automated, efficient, and resilient. Today, many mundane but necessary tasks that are associated with equipment repair and optimization are being turned over to machines thanks to 5G connectivity paired with AI and ML capabilities. This is one area where 5G is expected to be highly disruptive, impacting everything from fuel economy to the design of equipment lifecycles and how goods arrive at our homes.

For example, on a busy factory floor, drones and cameras that are connected to smart devices that use the IoT can help locate and transport something more efficiently than in the past and prevent theft. Not only is this better for the environment and consumers, but it also frees up employees to dedicate their time and energy to tasks that are more suited to their skill sets.

Smart cities

The idea of a hyper-connected urban environment that uses 5G network speeds to spur innovation in areas like law enforcement, waste disposal and disaster mitigation is fast becoming a reality. Some cities already use 5G-enabled sensors to track traffic patterns in real time and adjust signals, helping guide the flow of traffic, minimize congestion, and improve air quality.

In another example, 5G power grids monitor supply and demand across heavily populated areas and deploy AI and ML applications to “learn” what times energy is in high or low demand. This process has been shown to significantly impact energy conservation and waste, potentially reducing carbon emissions and helping cities reach sustainability goals.

Smart healthcare

Hospitals, doctors, and the healthcare industry as a whole already benefit from the speed and reliability of 5G networks every day. One example is the area of remote surgery that uses robotics and a high-definition live stream that is connected to the internet via a 5G network. Another is the field of mobile health, where 5G gives medical workers in the field quick access to patient data and medical history. This enables them to make smarter decisions, faster, and potentially save lives.

Lastly, as we saw during the pandemic, contact tracing and the mapping of outbreaks are critical to keeping populations safe. 5G’s ability to deliver of volumes of data swiftly and securely allows experts to make more informed decisions that have ramifications for everyone.

5G paired with new technological capabilities won’t just result in the automation of employee tasks, it will dramatically improve them and the overall  employee experience . Take virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), for example. VR (digital environments that shut out the real world) and AR (digital content that augments the real world) are already used by stockroom employees, transportation drivers and many others. These employees rely on wearables that are connected to a 5G network capable of high-speed data transfer rates that improve several key capabilities, including the following:

• Live views : 5G connectivity provides live, real-time views of equipment, events, and even people. One way in which this feature is being used in professional sports is to allow broadcasters to remotely call a sporting event from outside the stadium where the event is taking place.
• Digital overlays : IoT applications in a warehouse or industrial setting allow workers that are equipped with smart glasses (or even just a smartphone) to obtain real-time insights from an application. This includes repair instructions or the name and location of a spare part.
• Drone inspections : Right now, one of the leading causes of employee injury is inspection of equipment or project sites in remote and potentially dangerous areas. Drones, which are connected via 5G networks, can safely monitor equipment and project sites and even take readings from hard-to-reach gauges.

Edge computing , a computing framework that allows computations to be done closer to data sources, is fast becoming the standard for enterprises. According to  this Gartner white paper  (link resides outside ibm.com), by 2025, 75% of enterprise data will be processed at the edge (compared to only 10% today). This shift saves businesses time and money and enables better control over large volumes of data. It would be impossible without the new speed standards that are generated by 5G technology. 

Ultra-reliable edge computing and 5G enable the enterprise to achieve faster transmission speeds, increased control and greater security over massive volumes of data. Together, these twin technologies will help reduce latency while increasing speed, reliability and bandwidth, resulting in faster, more comprehensive data analysis and insights for businesses everywhere.

5G solutions with IBM Cloud Satellite  

5G presents significant opportunities for the enterprise, but first, you need a platform that can handle its speed. IBM Cloud Satellite® lets you deploy and run apps consistently across on-premises, edge computing and public cloud environments on a 5G network. And it’s all enabled by secure and auditable communications within the IBM Cloud®.

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