Under loosened visa policies in effect since July to attract more foreign talent to Shanghai, 12 times more expats have obtained permanent residence cards in the past five months than during the same period last year.

Since July 1, the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of Shanghai's Public Security Bureau has issued 1,708 entry visas and residence permits for qualified expatriates to work and live in Shanghai - 715 of which were permanent residence permits, or "green cards".

"Those new entry-exit policies issued earlier this year have successfully attracted and retained more high-talent foreign professionals to support the transformation of the city to be a scientific and technological innovation center," said Bai Shaokang, Shanghai's deputy mayor and director of public security, at a news conference on Monday held to summarize the policies.