Notice of application intake pause

Currently, new applications from Whitehorse-based firms are not being accepted. However, processing will continue for the applications already received.

The Yukon’s 2024 allotment are presently exceeded by applications. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada determine allocations.

Employers in remote areas in Yukon may still submit applications.

This is a stopgap action. In 2025, we want to start accepting applications from employers in Whitehorse again.

Priority application criteria

Employers can find qualified candidates in the Yukon by using the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP), which brings talented professionals to the region.

Owing to a high number of applications, the Immigration Branch has created a list of requirements for priority. By giving applicants priority, we can make sure that companies who depend on the nominee program may carry on with their vital business activities.

those in Category 1 will be evaluated first, then those in Category 2 and so on.

• Current work permit holders with approaching expiration dates.
• Visitor visa holders are already in Canada.
• Current work permit holders with a permit expiring within a year.
• Individuals currently located outside Canada.

Prioritization does not ensure that an application will be decided upon before the expiration of a foreign national’s legal status.

It takes an average of 12 to 14 weeks for processing. The number of applications received and the priority application criteria affect how long this takes.

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

• Companies that qualify for the Yukon Nominee Program post job openings both globally and locally. If no eligible Canadian or permanent resident applies, the employer may choose to fill the post through the Yukon Nominee Program.
• No competent permanent resident or Canadian applies for this job.
• The employer chooses which stream to apply for after reviewing the requirements for each Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) stream.
• The employer offers a full-time, permanent position to an eligible foreign national.
• Both the foreign national and the employer fill out all the paperwork needed for the Yukon Nominee Program.
• The employer fills out the application for the Yukon Nominee Program, making sure that all necessary papers and documentation are included.
• Once approved, the employer submits the compliance fee and the letter of offer to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) via the Employer Portal.
• 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.

• Following our approval of the application, the nominee and employer will need to execute a Tri-Partite Agreement (TPA) with the Yukon government.
• Within six months of signing the TPA, the candidate applies for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• While their application for permanent residency is being handled, the candidate works for the employer on a temporary work visa.

Each nominee’s eligibility for permanent residence and work permits is evaluated by the IRCC. The IRCC’s decision to approve or reject permits or permanent residency is independent of the YNP and the Government of Yukon. We are unable to challenge those rulings.

Inquiring about an application

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

Maintaining legal status

Currently residing in Canada, foreign individuals are required to keep their legal status during the application process for the Yukon Nominee Program and during the evaluation process. We will reject your application if not.

The foreign national might not be able to participate in the program if they are in maintained status. For instance, whether they are extending a working holiday visa or a post-graduate work permit.

Employer responsibilities

Required documents

A list of required papers is included in the application form for the Yukon Nominee Program. We will return your application to you if you do not include all of the papers and documentation listed on the checklist. Applications that are not complete will not be processed or added to the processing queue.

We will verify with you that your application is complete if you resubmit it with all supporting documentation. Based on the date we get the resubmission, that is when we will process it.

During the application process and during the evaluation, employers are required to verify the validity of all supporting papers. This covers job postings, company licenses, language test results, Yukon Corporate Online Registry (YCOR), and any other relevant paperwork. Provide updated copies of any supporting papers that have expired to minimize

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.