Taxi driver Sam Wijeranthe and his wife Dinesha Amarasinghe, who have three young sons, had been living in Queenstown for eight years when last November Dinesha's application for a work visa renewal was declined due to health issues - she was the primary visa-holder.
Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker organised a march for the family in November, which was attended by more than 400 people.
In February they won a 12-month stay on humanitarian grounds before receiving news their residency application - submitted in 2013 - had finally been approved.
Danesha told the Otago Daily Times she was thrilled and could now make firm plans for the family's future.
''I'm so happy - not only for me, my whole family.
''We have plans for the kids, especially.
''We want to give to them a good future, a good education and other activities.''
She thanked the Queenstown community for their support over what had been a difficult few months, particularly during the six-month period they could not work, or provide for their family.
She said the community was behind them and paid particular tribute to Queenstown Primary School, the Queenstown Medical Centre, Queenstown Taxis and Blue Bubble Taxis, Basket of Blessings, the Presbyterian Church and Mr Walker, as well as their ''Indian brothers and sisters and other nationalities''.
Mr Walker said their ordeal had been an ''unbelievable, emotional rollercoaster'' and the news meant they could ''go about their life in New Zealand with certainty''.
He thanked the Queenstown community for their support, which had ''finally paid off''.
