A family of four, three of whom have a rare disorder that makes them allergic to sunlight, have won a five-year battle to stay in Canada.

Immigration Minister Judy Sgro ended a threat of deportation by granting the Vivier family a two-year temporary residence permit. The family says the news was completely unexpected.

The Viviers moved to Prince Rupert, B.C., in 1999.

The Vivier family seen in a 2002 picture

Without work permits, they have been relying on the generosity of local people. Now immigration officials say if they can support themselves during over the next two years they can apply for permanent residency.

The father and two childen suffer from a rare skin condition. They say the bright sunlight and extreme heat back home in South Africa was killing them.

They arrived in Canada on visitor visas in 1999, believing they'd find refuge under the rainy and cloudy skies of Prince Rupert.

But the family had no legal status in Canada.

Until late last year, the children weren't allowed to attend local schools.

Canadian immigration officials rejected the family's plea to stay in the country on humanitarian and compassionate grounds three times. But on Monday, the family was finally granted a two-year residency permit.

If they can support themselves in northwest B.C.'s dismal economy, they'll be allowed to apply to stay for good.

Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond says the community is delighted. "The whole community has really opened their arms to the Viviers. You know nobody moves all the way from South Africa to Prince Rupert on some kind of bogus claim."