Learn about the Yukon Nominee Program process

Notice of application intake pause

We are not currently accepting new applications from employers based in Whitehorse. Applications already received will continue to be processed.

Applications currently exceed the Yukon’s 2024 allocations. Allocations are set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

We will continue to accept applications from employers in rural Yukon communities.

This is a temporary measure. We expect to resume application intake from Whitehorse employers in 2025.

Priority application criteria

The Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) helps employers fill job vacancies by bringing skilled workers to the territory. 

Due to a large volume of applications, the Immigration Branch has developed a list of priority criteria. Prioritizing applications helps us ensure that businesses relying on the nominee program can continue their essential operations. 

Applications that fall under category 1 will be assessed first, following in order down to category 4.

1. Current work permit holders with approaching expiration dates.
2. Visitor visa holders already in Canada.
3. Current work permit holders with a permit expiring within a year.
4. Individuals currently located outside Canada.

Prioritization does not guarantee an application decision before a foreign national’s legal status has expired. 

Standard processing time is 12 to 14 weeks. This time increases with the volume of applications received and the priority application criteria.

Program streams

The Yukon Nominee Program is made up of 4 program streams. These include:

• Critical Impact Worker;
• Skilled Worker;
• Express-Entry; and
• Yukon Community Program.

On the pages above you'll find:

• eligibility requirements;
• Stream-specific criteria; and
• Information on how to apply.

Yukon Nominee Program process

1. Employers eligible for the Yukon Nominee Program advertise the position locally and nationally. If no qualified Canadian or permanent resident applies, the employer may use the Yukon Nominee Program to fill the position.
2. No qualified Canadian or permanent resident applies for the position.
3. The employer reviews criteria for each of the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) streams and chooses which stream to apply for.
4. The employer offers a full-time, permanent position to an eligible foreign national.
5. The employer and the foreign national complete all required forms for the Yukon Nominee Program.
6. The employer ensures all forms and documents are attached, completes and submits the application to the Yukon Nominee Program. 
7. Once approved, the employer submits the compliance fee and the letter of offer to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) via the Employer Portal.
8. Once an application is approved, the foreign national becomes a nominee.
   • If the nominee is not in Canada at the time of approval, they must comply with the IRCC visa requirements for their country of residence.
   • If the nominee is in Canada under a temporary resident permit when their application is approved, they may continue to work until their permit is due for renewal. At that time, the candidate can apply for a new work permit or renew it.
9. Once we approve the application, the employer and nominee must sign a Tri-Partite Agreement (TPA) with the Government of Yukon.
10. The nominee submits an application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residency within 6 months of signing the TPA.
11. The nominee works for the employer under a temporary work permit while their permanent residency is being processed.
12. The nominee meets all admissibility checks (security, health, criminality).
13. Once the permanent residency application is approved by the IRCC, the nominee becomes a permanent resident of Canada.

IRCC assesses each nominee's eligibility for work permits and permanent residency. The YNP and the Government of Yukon are not responsible for IRCC's decision to grant or deny permits or permanent residency. We cannot appeal those decisions.

Inquiring about an application

The Yukon Nominee Program is an employer-driven program. Only employers can inquire about application status.

Maintaining legal status

Foreign nationals currently in Canada must maintain their legal status throughout the Yukon Nominee Program application process and at the time of assessment. Otherwise, we will decline your application. 

If the foreign national is on maintained status, they may not be eligible for the program. For example, if they are on an extension of a post-graduate work permit or a working holiday visa.

Employer responsibilities

Required documents

The Yukon Nominee Program application form includes a checklist of documents you must provide. If you do not include all the forms and documents on the checklist, we will return your application to you. We will not process incomplete applications, and will not place them in the processing queue. 

If you resubmit your application with all documents, we will confirm with you that it is complete. We will process it based on the date we receive the resubmission.  

Throughout the application processes and at the time of assessment, employers must ensure that all supporting documentation is valid. This includes language results, business license, job advertisements, Yukon Corporate Online Registry (YCOR), and any other applicable documents. If any supporting documents expire, submit updated versions to reduce processing times. 

Wages

Throughout the application processes and at the time of assessment, employers must ensure the following:

• The offered wage meets or exceeds the higher of either:
  • the current median wage set by the Government of Canada; or
  • the current minimum wage set by the Government of Yukon.
• The annual income meets or exceeds the low income cut-off (LICO) before tax for the family size. 
  • Use figures for population 30,000 to 99,999 for all communities.

Canada updates the median wage annually in November. The Yukon updates the minimum wage annually in April. Statistics Canada updates the low income cut-off index annually mid-year.