Six types of foreign professionals and investors in Shanghai are now eligible to live in the city five years, instead of the usual one year, in a move to help boost economic growth.

Authorities implemented the measures for expatriates on January 1 to entice scientific researchers, top managers and investors to stay longer in the city.

Other categories are: individuals with highly specialized skills, celebrities, private investors and foreigners awarded special status in light of their contributions to China. All of these people can apply for five-year residence permits.

One of the changes makes life considerably easier for business owners, who formerly had to prove that they had US$30 million of registered capital to apply for the extended permit. This figure was slashed by 90 percent at the turn of the year.

"Now that the number has dropped to US$3 million, the range of expats who are eligible to qualify has soared," said a police officer surnamed Zhang from the exit-entry administration bureau of the Shanghai public security bureau.

"Foreigners can now apply to live here for up to five years at a time, instead of just one year."

The extended residence permits were implemented citywide following a successful trial in Shanghai's Pudong New District from July 1. In this interim period, police processed more than 500 of the new five-year permits.

New Zealander Shahla Salih said the move will make foreigners feel more at home in the city.

"I've been trying to make a home for myself here for years and I don't plan on leaving," said Salih, a sales manager at a catering company.

Shanghai saw its population of foreign permanent residents top the 150,000 mark in 2008, up 20,000 from the year before. Figures for last year have not yet been released by the city's bureau of family planning.

Most foreigners live in Shanghai on a short-term basis, using either the tourist (L) or visitor (F) visas, which usually allow them to stay for up to three months.

"I'd say that the current visa policy is pretty good, from a UK citizen's point of view," said Robert Peacock, who works in movie production and holds a one-year residence permit.

"It is a little expensive but not much more than many other places," he said, pointing to the one-year limit as its major drawback.

Like most foreigners working in China, Peacock is not eligible for the longer residence permit even under the revised guidelines, as he does not fall within one of the six categories.

Visas cost about 500 to 600 yuan (US$73 to US$88) if the foreigner applies by himself. Foreigners who hire an agency to help them get the visa will pay much more.

Environmental consultant David Sutton said getting a Chinese visa has been the bane of his seven-year sojourn in the city.

"It's always one of my biggest concerns," said the 83-year-old American, who finds himself juggling tourist and consultant visas.

"As I don't have a company contract and I'm old, I have more complicated processes to go through if I remain in China."