For me also exactly 8 months from application submission. It's really hard to keep patience!! Months are going like years. Actually they maintain their 12 months time frame.
I really hope their maintain their 12 month time frame because it will also be 8 months for me too next week and we are still waiting for Pre-Arrival but what I noticed about my VO is that Passport Request usually follows after a week or two. Still hoping to here from then next month!