When did your friends apply?I am in Canada on WP since March 2021.
Applied visitor visa for my spouse in New IRCC portal
Application Submitted : April 12, 2022
Biometrics Completed : April 19
Medical done Prior ( in Aug 2021 and redone again in Aug 2022 and asked to update via webform. Not sure if new medicals are updated)
Update on Aug 15th : We are reviewing your eligibility.
Not sure what's the delay and why each application is processed differently.. This is so frustrating.
I now feel that i did a mistake by applying in New IRCC portal and should have applied in GCkey itself for my spouse. As i see my colleagues who applied in GCkey for their spouses received response in 3 months itself..
Remember - every file is different, regardless of it being same as your friends on the surface.