Permitted Paid Engagement Clarification

[Worker2018]

Hello everyone,

I am an American fitness coach was invited by a gym in the UK to do a 1-time fitness seminar. I applied for a standard visitor visa to conduct business but was declined despite having an invitation from the gym. I was considering reapplying under a PPE visa but I am not sure if:

1) the seminar qualifies under the this allowable activity: "take part in arts, entertainment or sporting activities including broadcasting."
2) the invitation from the gym qualifies as an invitation from a "relevant UK-based organisation in the creative arts or entertainment industries, or a sports organisation."

I would appreciate any clarification on this matter and whether the PPE is the right visa to apply for.

[The Station Agent]

No, I don't think so. You'd have to be an entertainer or high-profile public speaker to qualify for that. It's meant for artistes doing performances or "an evening with (insert actor's name here)"; that type of thing.

You may be able to come and give a seminar as a visitor if it's unpaid. Only if it's paid would it be subject to subject to a work permission; which are tricky to get. If you were a well-known entertainer you could qualify for a Tier 5 CoS or PPE, but if you're not famous you may sort of fall through the cracks - there isn't an immigration route for every eventuality.