The Brief Saga of UK Visa Woes for Chinese Artist/Activist

Ai Weiwei by Hafenbar

Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei only recently had his passport returned to him by Chinese authorities.

He applied for a 6 month visa to visit the UK, but his visa was initially denied. He was, however, granted a 20-day visa to attend the opening of a London showing of his work. 

The artist posted a copy of his denial letter to instagram. It states that Weiwei “failed to meet the business visitor rules” by not disclosing his criminal conviction in China. The artist, while held for 81 days in 2011, was not, in fact, charged or convicted of any crime.

After media attention, Weiwei’s application was reviewed by the UK home secretary. It has now been granted, and the Home secretary Theresa May has apologized to Weiwei.

Weiwei will open a major exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London this September. It will run through December 13.

-KitJ