Q: I currently hold a 5-year long-term residence permit in China. Recently, I received an internship offer from a company in Shanghai for a period of three months. I am an Italian citizen.

Is it possible for me to convert my current permit to an S2 visa with an internship annotation?

A: A residence permit cannot be directly converted into an S2 visa with an internship annotation.

If you wish to apply for this type of visa, you will need to exit China and apply for an entry visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad. Upon re-entry, you may then apply for an S2 visa with an internship annotation.

Source: Exit-Entry Administration Corps of Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Public Security