Speculation is rife on social media over British immigration authorities’ decision to restrict Ai Weiwei’s entry to the UK next month. One week after sharing a photo on Instagram of his new People’s Republic of China passport, the artist-activist has posted a letter stating that his application for a six-month business visa was refused because he failed to declare “a criminal conviction in China”. Ai’s passport was confiscated by the Chinese government when he was detained for 81 days in 2011 on suspicion of “economic crimes” but he was never formally charged or convicted. According to the letter, “an exception has been made” to grant Ai a 20-day visa from 9 to 29 September, when his solo show at London’s Royal Academy is due to open. But a separate post on Ai’s Instagram account says that the artist “may not be able to attend his exhibition installation and opening”. Either way, commentators point out that the approved dates mean Ai will not be in the UK for the state visit of the Chinese president Xi Jinping in October—a convenient coincidence?
UPDATE, 31 July: It looks like Ai will be coming to the RA after all, as UK home secretary Theresa May has ordered immigration officials to issue a full six-month business visa for the artist. “The home secretary was not consulted over the decision to grant Mr Ai a one-month visa... we have written to Mr Ai apologising for the inconvenience caused,” a home office spokesman says.