Yes, Its true.
"Departments may take as long as they need to review the applications. We understand that you may need to apply for a Visa and that this will take some time, however we are NOT able to speed up the decision process. If you are accepted as a student, you will be given a time frame of one year to begin your program, so your visa application will not be an issue. Your admission letter will state that you may begin in May 2013, September 2013 or January 2014. If you are unable to obtain your visa for May, you will be able to begin in September."
Thats what they stated in an email from their side.