What is the typical timeline for obtaining EIS approval and receiving EIS3 certificates?

EIS approval timelines vary significantly, but members report two distinct phases: getting the initial approval letter is fast, while receiving the EIS3 certificates after investment is taken can be much slower.

**Approval letter timeline:** - Can be obtained "pretty sharpish" through your accountants, with some members receiving approval in as little as 2 weeks.

**EIS3 certificate timeline (after investment is taken):** - Ranges from 2 weeks to 3 months, though members note timelines are "taking longer than ever apparently." - One member reported previously waiting a couple of months in the past. - Members have experienced anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months depending on circumstances.

**Tactic to potentially speed up the process:** - **Seedrs-style presentation** — one member found quicker HMRC response times when presenting investment data and literature to HMRC in the format Seedrs uses, though they acknowledged correlation may not equal causation.

The key takeaway: don't conflate the fast approval letter with the slower certificate issuance; plan for several months between taking investment and receiving your EIS3 certificates.