Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei says he's received German visa
He plans to visit the European nation where his son lives as soon as he can, but stamp is no guarantee he'll be allowed to leave China
China's best-known contemporary artist abroad, authorities denied Ai a passport after detaining him for 81 days in 2011, apparently attempting to limit his international influence.
Police returned the document last week and the bearded conceptualist - whose six-year-old son lives in Germany - said he had received the visa, without giving details.
Ai told The New York Times last week that he would travel to Germany "as soon as I get a visa". Friends posted pictures of the document online, showing that it was a multiple-entry visa valid for four years, starting last Friday.
Ai last week published a photograph of himself clutching a red Chinese passport online, with the words: "Today, I received a passport," later confirming to AFP that it was his.
It is not clear whether having a passport and visa means Ai will be able to enter and exit China freely. Many Chinese dissidents have been detained at airports while trying to leave the country, while some activists who have left the mainland have found themselves not allowed back.