Can I get PR without living in Canada?

[Kerryd]

Hi.
I’m Canadian living/working in Thailand for past 16 years. My wife is Thai we have been together for 4 years and married for 2.5 years. We also have a 2 year old son. We travel to Canada each year, usually in the summer. Her passport (and thus her visa) will expire in December 2020.
We were wondering if she is eligible to apply for PR. We wouldn’t live in Canada though, but would continue to live in Thailand and visit 1 or 2 times per year. Is this possible?
Thank you

 

[scylla]

Hi.
I’m Canadian living/working in Thailand for past 16 years. My wife is Thai we have been together for 4 years and married for 2.5 years. We also have a 2 year old son. We travel to Canada each year, usually in the summer. Her passport (and thus her visa) will expire in December 2020.
We were wondering if she is eligible to apply for PR. We wouldn’t live in Canada though, but would continue to live in Thailand and visit 1 or 2 times per year. Is this possible?
Thank you

She would need to qualify and apply for PR independently through an economic immigration stream like Express Entry based on her level of education, work experience, language abiliites, age, etc.

A spousal sponsorship application won't be successful since in order to be approved, you must provide hard evidence that you plan to relocate to Canada with your family and live here once her application is approved.

 

[zardoz]

Hi.
I’m Canadian living/working in Thailand for past 16 years. My wife is Thai we have been together for 4 years and married for 2.5 years. We also have a 2 year old son. We travel to Canada each year, usually in the summer. Her passport (and thus her visa) will expire in December 2020.
We were wondering if she is eligible to apply for PR. We wouldn’t live in Canada though, but would continue to live in Thailand and visit 1 or 2 times per year. Is this possible?
Thank you

Agree with @scylla but would also add that even if PR was granted, meeting the Residency Obligation requirements might prove to be a problem. Under the circumstances, it's questionable whether the "accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse" exemption would apply.