Based on the letter my friend received today,it is obvious that those inland cases that were submitted in July 2013 are deemed "complex" thats why it's been taking CIC 6 months (and maybe more) to process these legendary July 2013 cases.
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am replying to your e-mail of August 5, 2014, addressed to Mr. Chris Alexander, Canada’s Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, concerning the processing times for your inland spousal sponsorship application.
Unfortunately, you have not provided enough information in your correspondence (i.e., your full name, date and place of birth, client ID number, etc.) that would assist me in researching your file. Furthermore, Canada’s Privacy Act prohibits the release of information on our clients without their written consent. This legislation was designed to protect a person’s right to privacy when dealing with Canadian government institutions. While I cannot comment on your application, I can give you general information on the inland sponsorship program.
Please be assured that Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) reviews all applications objectively and consistently to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all applicants. We assess each application on its own merit against the program requirements.
We realize that those who have submitted their applications look forward to a decision being rendered within a reasonable waiting period after applying. We make every effort to deal with the applications we receive in the most efficient and effective way. However, the many steps involved in processing an application, coupled with the volume of applications, sometimes make it difficult to conclude cases in as timely a manner as we would like.
The creation of the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class promotes family unity. It allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouses or common-law partners who live with them in Canada, for permanent residence. However, Family Class category redesign aimed at faster processing of applications from spouses, common-law partners and dependent children only applies to applicants who are outside Canada. It is always in the client’s best interests to apply abroad in the prescribed manner, if possible. There are distinct disadvantages to applying from within Canada, including longer processing times, lack of status, inability to work and ineligibility for provincial/territorial health insurance coverage. For this reason, applicants are encouraged to carefully read the guide which provides important information for an applicant to consider before completing this application.
Accordingly, every effort is made to complete the processing of partner and spousal applications as quickly as possible. The sponsor must be assessed against the requirements of sponsorship and the foreign national being sponsored must be assessed against the statutory requirements of being in good health and of good character. In addition, the assessing officer must be satisfied that the applicant is admissible to Canada, and, in the case of spouses and partners, that the relationship is genuine and not entered into for immigration purposes only.
As you may know, inland processing of applications submitted by spouses or common-law partners requires an average of 11 months, from when the complete application is received, for first-stage of approval or “approval in principle”, but can be longer depending on the individual circumstances of each case. When an application for permanent residence is assessed and receives approval in principle, an application for an open work permit can then be processed and applicants may be eligible to apply for provincial/territorial health care.
For more information regarding spousal sponsorship and processing times, please visit the CIC Website.
Thank you for having taken the time to write.
Sincerely,
B. Sultana
Ministerial Enquiries Division
, called today :no update ...still have to wait 
