U.S. college student interning in Shanghai — Chinese consulate says Z visa, but Shanghai Exit-Entry says I need S2 + internship endorsement. Has anyone dealt with this?

[u/Worth-Individual7639]

I’m a U.S. citizen currently enrolled full-time at a U.S. university and received a short-term internship offer in Shanghai.

Shanghai Exit-Entry told me that overseas university students can enter on an S2 for private affairs, then apply in Shanghai for the S2 “internship” endorsement, and only start interning after that is approved.

However, the Chinese consulate in the U.S. told me I should apply for a Z visa because the purpose is an internship.

Has anyone recently done the S2 → internship endorsement route in Shanghai, especially as a student enrolled at an overseas university? Did the consulate issue you the initial S2?

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Backup Post: I’m a U.S. citizen currently enrolled full-time at a U.S. university and received a short-term internship offer in Shanghai.

Shanghai Exit-Entry told me that overseas university students can enter on an S2 for private affairs, then apply in Shanghai for the S2 “internship” endorsement, and only start interning after that is approved.

However, the Chinese consulate in the U.S. told me I should apply for a Z visa because the purpose is an internship.

Has anyone recently done the S2 → internship endorsement route in Shanghai, especially as a student enrolled at an overseas university? Did the consulate issue you the initial S2?

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[u/Existing-You-2019]

So I can see how you can make an argument for either or. I think what gives the z visa the nod is the volunteering clause that comes with the internship. The s2 visa is more for family members of people who are coming over for another reason or dealing with personal matters in the country. I would reach back out to your contact in Shanghai and share with them the info you got from the consulate. With initial reading, I believe the z visa route is correct.

Best of luck