I got the "Ready for Visa" email!
I am very surprised because 1) I have not heard from CIC since the AoR, and 2) I did upfront medicals before sending my application (back in 2014) so I was expecting MR first (although I recently did another medicals for the BOWP application - so I guess probably that was linked to my file too).
And of course I had paid upfront RPRF.
Anyway I hope all applicants who are still waiting receive very soon good news. I do know how frustrating is to wait and wait and see other people receiving updates.
My timeline:
App received: Aug 21, 2014
AoR: Dec 17, 2014
Upfront Med: Aug 2014 / Jan 2016 (BOWP)
Upfront RPRF
PPR: Mar 3, 2016