@applying for a chinese visa

I am currently a college student studying abroad in Rome. I am an American and have a visa here. In 3 weeks I am visiting my brother in Shanghai. but the permit to stay situation is a bit tricky. I have a receipt and legal document saying I am in the process of getting my permit to stay, but I will not receive the actual identification for probably another 2 months to a year. Is there any way to get some kind of form signed by the permit to stay people in order for me to visit Shanghai? I've already booked my flight.