F Visa from UK, rejected for modifications (complicated!)

Question

Hi everyone.

Travelling to China from UK (me and my wife who hopefully will be lecturing in a University) plus 1 child. We have applied for an F visa, and have invitation letter etc. We will also be spending some days for holiday.

OK so now the visa has been rejected online for modification: Please provide a personal statement to explain what is the purpose of your visit.

Does anyone have any idea what this means? is it just a matter of me writing a letter in the additional documents place saying (again) what we intend to do?

thanks

Answer

When a Chinese F visa (for non-commercial visits such as research, study, or academic exchange) is rejected for “modifications” and the consulate requests a personal statement, it typically means that the visa officers require a clearer explanation of your travel purpose. They want you to explicitly state why you are visiting China and clarify any details that may have been unclear in your initial application.

In your case, since you mentioned traveling with your wife (potentially for lecturing at a university) and your child, and also planning some holiday time, it is important to clearly outline both the professional/academic purpose and the personal/family travel purpose.

Here is how you can approach the personal statement:

Start by clearly stating your primary purpose: for example, attending a conference, academic exchange, or lecturing at a university.
Mention the supporting documentation: such as the invitation letter from the Chinese institution, your spouse’s role, and your child accompanying you.
Briefly outline any supplementary travel: for example, visiting tourist sites or cultural experiences, but emphasize that this is secondary to your primary purpose.
Include your travel dates, cities you plan to visit, and any arrangements (accommodation, transport, etc.) to show planning and intention.

For example, your statement could look like this (adapted to your situation):

“I, [Your Name], will be visiting China from [start date] to [end date] primarily for [academic purpose, e.g., attending a lecture series at [University Name]] as invited by [inviting institution]. My spouse, [Name], will also be participating in [role], and our child, [Name], will accompany us. During our stay, we plan to visit [city names] and experience some cultural sites, but the main purpose of our visit remains academic.”

Tips:

Keep it concise but specific, ideally one page or less.
Use formal, professional language.
Attach it in the “Additional Documents” section if applying online, or submit it with your visa application in person.
Ensure consistency with your original invitation letter and itinerary; discrepancies can cause delays or rejections.

In short, yes—it is largely a matter of writing a clear, concise letter explaining your visit purpose, ensuring it aligns with your supporting documents and travel plans.

F Visa from UK, rejected for modifications (complicated!)

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