Been a silent reader of the forum for a long time, but recently received PPR after 18 months of processing and decided to share my story in case it helps somebody.
Location: Russia
Program: Express Entry, FSW-Outland
Visa office: CPC-Ottawa
19-Oct-2016: ITA
05-Nov-2016: AOR
07-Nov-2016: Medicals passed
23-Nov-2016: Request of military records
27-Nov-2016: Submitted military records (didn't serve so they're mostly empty)
29-Nov-2016: Background check in progress
... Security screening …
13-Mar-2018: Requested CSIS notes
25-Apr-2018: Re-medical request
27-Apr-2018: Response from CSIS requesting 90-day extension
03-May-2018: Medical exam
10-May-2018: Medicals submitted by doctor to CIC
11-May-2018: Medicals passed
12-May-2018: PPR
14-May-2018: Submitted passport to Moscow VO
17-May-2018: Application approved
18-May-2018: Received passport and COPR
22-May-2018: Received CSIS notes
Overall 18 months of processing with 17 months of security screening.
During the process, I requested GCMS notes as well as sent messages to the visa office many times without any effect. Always received the standard response "Your file is currently under review and requires additional verifications".
I'm not sure if it's a coincidence, but my case started moving after requesting CSIS notes. The notes indicate that CSIS received SS request on 29-Nov-2016, started the screening on 22-Mar-2017 and finished it on 27-Mar-2017. Go figure what they were doing for a year after that…
And yet after the second medical exam, CIC somehow managed to pass the medicals, finalize the application and send me PPR - all within 36 hours. They can work quickly if they want to.
Still no idea about the reasons for security screening - didn't serve in the military or worked for the government, no travel to dangerous countries, etc. It seems sometimes they just select random applicants. Like the system quality check, you know...
I would like to thank members of the forum because I received a lot of useful information here and just reading it helped me stay sane during those 18 months.
Good luck to those still waiting! I can only suggest trying to push them by requesting CSIS / CBSA notes as well as continuing to bug CIC. Because sometimes it seems to help.