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There were high hopes for the UK Innovator visa and Start-Up visa schemes introduced on what was supposed to be Brexit day on 29 March 2019. However, it seems that it will be difficult to come under these schemes. The big problem is with the requirements of endorsing bodies which is likely to be tough.
The E2 visa program has many benefits for migrants. E2 Treaty Investor visa allows entry to the US for businessmen, their families, employees, with a far lower investment requirement, than say the EB5 immigrant investor visa that requires an investment of at least $500,000 and the creation of at least ten jobs. The E2 visa scheme is based on trade agreements with the US, with the first Country in the World to come under the E2 visa and E1 visa scheme being the UK in 1815.
NAFTA the North American Free Trade Agreement came into force about twenty-five years ago. This brought many benefits for trade between the US, Canada and Mexico. One benefit is that for Canadians L1 intra-company transfer visas are easier to obtain than for many others. However, it seems that this may be changing under Trump.
There is still the possibility of a “No Deal” Brexit which, if it happens, will mean that new EU citizen arrivals will need a Tier 2 visa or some other visa under the UK visa system. The Tier 2 Sponsor Licence, required by employers under the visa scheme, and Tier 2 visa system remains a difficult, expensive and bureaucratic system to navigate. It will probably be a long time before major changes are made to the UK visa system.
L1 visas are in many cases the only work visa option to transfer staff to the US. For many companies obtaining each L1 visa is a huge effort. Indian and Chinese nationals cannot apply for an E2 visa. Therefore the L1 visa or H1B visa may be the only option in many cases.
The Brexit drama continues. The good news is that EU citizens can definitely stay in the UK on a long term or permanent basis. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can apply for settled status if they have lived in the UK for five years or pre-settled status if they have lived in the UK for a shorter period. If you are in this situation, probably best to apply for this soon. It also seems that the Tier 2 Sponsor Licence and Tier 2 visa scheme will continue for a long time to come.