The Canadian federal government is set to grant work permits to certain foreign nationals employed in Yukon.
On Wednesday, October 1, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced a new temporary policy that will issue work permits to a maximum of 215 candidates under the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP).
These permits will allow eligible foreign workers to remain employed in Yukon while their permanent residence applications under the YNP are being processed.
Who is eligible?
To qualify for these work permits, foreign nationals must:
- Be employed by a Yukon-based employer with valid work authorization
- Have submitted an application to the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)
- Receive backing from the Government of Yukon
- Show that they are likely to obtain permanent residency in 2025 or 2026
- Fulfill all other program requirements.
A component of IRCC’s larger initiative
This temporary measure for Yukon is part of a broader initiative: In September, IRCC introduced a temporary policy offering open work permits to certain Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates.
The policy aligns with IRCC’s goal of addressing provincial labor market needs while facilitating the transition of temporary residents to permanent residency.
By increasing pathways to permanent residency, IRCC aims to reduce the proportion of temporary residents in Canada from 6.5% to 5% by 2027.
Before Yukon, similar measures were introduced through the Alberta and Manitoba Provincial Nominee Programs.
Reduction of temporary resident programs
On September 18 this year, Minister Marc Miller announced several changes aimed at reducing temporary resident programs. Over the next three years, IRCC anticipates that these adjustments will lead to:
- 300,000 fewer study permit holders
- 175,000 fewer post-graduation work permits (PGWPs)
- 150,000 fewer spousal work permits.
Upcoming Immigration Levels Plan
On November 1, IRCC is set to unveil its annual Levels Plan, outlining immigration targets for the upcoming year, along with provisional targets for the next two years.
The government has signaled that significant changes are on the horizon.
This year’s plan will be the first to incorporate targets for temporary resident levels.
