(File photo)

The municipal authority has said that foreigners with work permits and no properties in Beijing now can buy one home.

Branches of foreign companies can also purchase non-residential properties to be used as offices.

The new regulation which has taken effect lifts an earlier threshold for expats.

Previously, foreigners were required to work at least for one year to become eligible to buy an apartment in the capital.

The central government relaxed controls over the access of foreign capital into the housing market last year, canceling the limit on the number of homes foreigners can buy.

But the previous policy did not apply to Beijing as the city restricted non-locals from buying properties in order to curb rising house prices.