<p>^Karkri, while I am sympathetic to the cause here, I also feel it’s entirely fair to base residency on permanent resident status. You are not actually a “LEGAL IMMIGRANT” on any visa, you are in fact a “LEGAL GUEST” until you are able to change your status. I know, because I was for many years a “LEGAL GUEST” and learned the distinction.</p>
<p>To those surprised by the PR requirements of an E-class visa – don’t be – the gist is that you’re here to stimulate the economy and you need to supply material evidence of same. But here’s the problem OP’s family faces: When you’ve created a life on one type of visa (in this case a business visa) it is difficult to pursue permanent residency on A DIFFERENT status because in some cases you must leave the country while being processed (which can takes years, literally) or in other cases, cannot leave the country without abandoning your status. The OP really needs a good immigration lawyer to investigate what’s possible in this case.</p>