By Sheila Reynolds - Surrey North Delta Leader

He couldn't wait to pick up the phone as he walked out of the government office Tuesday.

"I am a permanent resident starting today," Dhaval Patel announced.

 It took eight years, but Patel, a young man fighting to stay in the country for health reasons, was finally granted his permanent Canadian status this week.

 Patel first came to Surrey with his parents on a visitor's visa in 2000 to seek treatment for an undetermined medical condition that caused him much pain, a severe body rash and extreme eye swelling. Specialists advised that Patel continue treatment here, surmising the poor air quality in his native India would only aggravate his condition.

The family began working to stay in the country on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, but when Dhaval's mom and dad returned to India to attend a wedding, they were denied entry back to Canada. Their son, then just 15 years old, was left in Surrey alone.

The teen lived in a Whalley basement suite by himself, supported financially by his parents, but reliant on helpful community members, who provided him furniture and emotional and educational support. Because he wasn't a resident, he couldn't attend school or get a job.

He was twice denied by Citizenship and Immigration Canada in a case that dragged over six years and proceeded to Federal Court. But two years ago, Dhaval learned he could remain here and his parents were allowed to join their son in Surrey. Since then, they've been employed and eagerly awaiting their official residency.

"It seems like a long time ago," said Patel, now 21, of his long legal struggle. "I was a kid at that time. It took really long but in the end it was good."

The family is planning a get-together with friends to celebrate.