Mr. Speaker, in September, to speed up processing and reduce the wait for couples to reunite in Canada, we increased the number of decision-makers on spousal applications by 66% to reach the goal of nearly 49,000 application decisions by the end of 2020. In fact, no spousal or common-law permanent resident application that is in progress will be closed or refused because of document delays resulting from pandemic-related closures.
As the hon. member is aware, to better support families in Canada, the government has updated its rules to make it easier for immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to travel to Canada while respecting all public health protocols and measures, including quarantine. Immediate family members no longer have to prove that they are coming for an essential, non-discretionary purpose. Provided they are admissible, people coming to join their immediate family members need only prove that they are staying in the country for at least 15 days and have a valid passport and travel document. Extended family members are eligible to travel to Canada as long as they meet the criteria and get authorization from IRCC, and this includes people in exclusive long-term committed relationships and their dependent children, as well as adult children, grandchildren and grandparents.
There has been extremely high interest in these two family-related exemptions to travel, and in cases where applications are complete, we are not only meeting our 14-day processing service standard, but exceeding it, with 80% of applications processed within five business days. So far, 35,000 extended and 26,000 immediate family applications have been processed. That is over 60,000 families who are together once again.
We will continue to find innovative and compassionate ways to reunite families, always informed by the advice of our public health experts, who remind us that COVID-19 is still very much a risk to the health and safety of Canadians.
The government has been efficient and nimble in the area of processing and has developed virtual landings and virtual citizenship ceremonies. Canada is the first country in the world to offer online citizenship testing. This will serve us well as we continue to welcome newcomers and strengthen Canada through immigration.