Keep Permanent Residency while outside Canada when spouse lives in Canada?

[valqe]

Hello,

My spouse and kids live in Canada they are not Canadian Citizens, but have Permanent Residency status.

I will not be able to meet minimum requirements (to be physically in Canada for 2 years out of 5 years) to keep my Permanent Residency.

Is there an exception that I can benefit to renew my Permanent Residency since my spouse and kids already live in Canada and meet Permanent Residency minimum requirements.

Thank you.

 

[scylla]

No - there is no such exception. Even if they were Canadian citizens, there would still be no exception for the situation you describe.

 

[valqe]

Thanks for your comment.
If someone can elaborate what are my options to re-apply? Does it take long?
I am asking this by assuming that my wife and two kids remain in Canada.
Thank you all.

 

[scylla]

Your best option would be to have your wife sponsor you through the spousal sponsorship program. How long this will take depends on what country you are from / what country you are currently living and working in. It could be months - it could be years.

 

[Leon]

Once you don't meet the RO any more but continue to visit your family with your valid PR card, the odds will increase that at some point, the immigration officers will ask you about the RO and possibly report you for not meeting it or offer you to renounce your PR. If they do, unless you have humanitarian grounds for not being able to meet the RO, there is no point in fighing this and you will lose your PR.

Once you lose your PR, you can apply for a multiple entry visit visa in order to visit your family. Your wife can sponsor you for PR again but unless you are ready to move to Canada in the next couple of years, it would not be worth it for you to do that because you would eventually lose your new PR too.