Thank you so much for the congrats! The visa has now arrived!
Here is my final timeline for my priority spouse visa application:
Online application submitted: June 26
Biometrics appt & sent off application: July 8
Application arrived Sheffield: July 11
Confirmation email from Sheffield & request for Appendix 2: July 15 (sent appendix & confirmation received July 16)
Further evidence docs requested from Sheffield: July 25
Further evidence docs submitted: Aug 4 (confirmation of receipt email from Sheffield Aug 6)
Decision email received: August 18
Visa received: August 19
I have a question: for my previous visas I was given a card with a chip, but this just goes directly in my passport (which is nice) and has no chip. I assumed the chip allowed them to access my data (maybe my biometrics) but without a chip in my new visa how do they access my data?
Many thanks to all, especially ksand and KFdancer who were incredibly patient with me through all my anxiety and mishaps with the documentation.