THE number of foreigners applying for permanent residence permits has gone up since July after the city government relaxed the green card rules.

Authorities said 197 foreigners and their relatives have applied for permits since July 1, six times the number of applicants in the same period of last year.

Among them, 174 foreigners were able to apply due to the new policy which allows foreigners who have lived in Shanghai for four straight years and paid taxes to apply for the Chinese green cards.