Yukon

The Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) is the Yukon’s Provincial Nominee Program through which, prospective immigrants with the skills and experience according to the demand of territory may receive a Yukon Provincial Nomination Certificate, after which they can apply for Canadian permanent residence with the Government of Canada. The territory is an ideal place to settle for individuals who value strong communities and the great outdoors as Its economy is composed primarily of mining and tourism.
The Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) offers following programs to individuals who wish to settle in Yukon four pathways to become Canadian permanent residents:
1. Yukon Express Entry
2. Yukon Skilled Worker
3. Yukon Critical Impact Worker
4. Yukon Business Nominee Program

Yukon Express Entry

First we will talk about Yukon Express Entry, Candidates who are eligible to enter the federal Express Entry pool and are interested in living and working in Yukon may apply to the Yukon Express Entry stream (YEE).
To enter the federal Express Entry pool, candidates must be eligible for one of the three federal economic immigration programs of the
Express Entry pool:

  • Federal Skilled Worker Program
  • Federal Skilled Trades Program
  • Canadian Experience Class

Yukon employers who cannot find Canadian citizens or permanent residents to fill job openings for skilled workers now have access to
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship’s (IRCC) Express Entry pool of candidates.
YEE applicants are drawn from the pool on the basis of nominations arising from valid job offers for permanent, full-time work from eligible Yukon employers.

Eligibility criteria for Yukon Express Entry:
To be eligible for Yukon Express Entry, applicants must:

  • Meet the requirements of one of the three federal economic immigration programs;
  • Complete the online Express Entry application to receive a Profile Number and, if applicable then with a Job Seeker Validation Code;
  • Have sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and any accompanying family members in Canada;
  • The amount of money required is based on the size of the applicant’s family, as determined by IRCC.
  • Have a valid job offer for permanent, full-time work from an eligible Yukon employer; and
  • Have a genuine intention to live and work in Yukon.

There are 10 following steps in the Yukon Express Entry application and nomination process:
1. The employer finds a suitable foreign skilled worker.
2. The employer offers the foreign national a job after demonstrating there is no Canadian or permanent resident available and/or suitable for the position.
3. The worker meets the requirements for one of the three federal economic immigration programs.
4. The worker completes an online application in IRCC’s EE system and enters the EE candidate pool. The worker obtains an EE Profile Number and, if applicable, a Job Seeker Validation Code.
5. The worker proves that he or she has sufficient settlement funds.
6. The employer and worker jointly complete and submit the Yukon Express Entry application form.
7. The worker receives an ITA from IRCC.
8. The worker provides all necessary documents to IRCC to complete
the permanent residence application.
9. IRCC and Yukon’s Immigration Unit verify the worker’s documents.
10. The worker receives permanent residence.

Skilled Worker

This program allows Yukon employers to sponsor foreign skilled workers for Canadian permanent residence. Sponsored applicants must be working in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, or B occupation.

Individuals must meet the following requirements:

  • Possess education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job as per the criteria specified in the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
  • The minimum acceptable level of education is a high school diploma.
  • Demonstrate at least one year of related work experience for the position being filled. This work experience may be gained outside Yukon;
  • If in Canada at the time of application, maintain a valid work permit throughout the YNP application and assessment process; and
  • If in Canada on a study permit, provide proof of:
    • One year of study for a certificate program,
    • Two years of study for a diploma or Bachelor degree program,
      or
    • Completion of at least level eight of the English as a Second Language (ESL) program for ESL students at Yukon College.

Following eligibility requirements for employers:

  • Be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident;
  • Be registered and operating a business in Yukon for at least one year, or must be a recognized government body in Yukon;
  • Meet minimum territorial labour standards;
  • Provide a copy of the business license, and be registered in Yukon’s corporate registry;
  • Provide to nominees, free of charge, health insurance that gives similar coverage to what a Yukon resident would receive until the nominee is eligible for government health benefits;
  • Offer a job with a wage equal to or exceeding prevailing median wage in the occupation in Yukon;
  • Pay the nominee's cost of travel to Yukon from his or her country of residence abroad, if not already in Yukon;
    • Employers are not required to pay the travel costs of the nominee’s family or dependents.
  • Pay for return travel costs if the nominee does not obtain permanent residency;
  • Arrange for a screening interview with a Yukon Government Immigration officer if the foreign national is already in Yukon;
    • Both the foreign national and employer must be present for the interview.
  • Verify previous work experience and qualifications of foreign worker before submitting an application;
  • Submit the offer of employment information and pay the compliance fee of $230 using the IRCC Employer Portal before the foreign national applies for an employer-specific work permit if the foreign national is exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process; and
  • Advertise the job opening for at least four weeks prior to submitting an application to the YNP.
    • The advertisement must remain posted to actively seek qualified Canadians and permanent residents until the date that the YNP issues a decision.
    • A minimum of two local and one national recruitment efforts are required.

All foreign nationals must demonstrate sufficient English or French language proficiency by providing results from a language test administered by a designated testing agency, including IELTS (General Training Test only) and CELPIP (General test only) for English or TEF for French.

Critical Impact Worker

Under this stream, Yukon employers may nominate foreign nationals with skills and experience that are in demand in the territory.
The Critical Impact Worker stream is employer-driven and targets prospective immigrants in National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level C or D occupations.

Eligibility Criteria for Individuals:

  • Possess education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job as per the criteria specified in the National Occupational Classification (NOC);
    • NOTE: The minimum acceptable level of education is a high
      school diploma.
  • Demonstrate at least six months of related work experience for the position being filled;
  • If in Canada at the time of application, maintain a valid work permit throughout the YNP application and assessment process; and
  • If in Canada on a study permit, provide proof of:
    • One year of study for a certificate program,
    • Two years of study for a diploma or Bachelor degree program,
      or
    • Completion of at least level eight of the English as a Second Language (ESL) program for ESL students at Yukon College.
  • Demonstrate sufficient English or French language proficiency by providing results from a language test administered by a designated testing agency, including IELTS (General Training Test only) and CELPIP (General test only) for English or TEF for French.
    • CELPIP:
      • 2H for tests taken before April 1, 2014 in each of the four abilities (reading, writing, speaking, listening).
      • 4 for tests taken after April 1, 2014 in each of the four abilities.
    • IELTS: 4 in each of the four abilities.
    • TEF: 3 in each of the four abilities.

Eligibility Criteria for Employers:

  • Be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident;
  • Be registered and operating a business in Yukon for at least one year, or must be a recognized government body in Yukon;
  • Meet minimum territorial labour standards;
  • Provide a copy of the business license, and be registered in Yukon’s corporate registry;
  • Provide to nominees, free of charge, health insurance that gives similar coverage to what a Yukon resident would receive until the nominee is eligible for government health benefits;
  • Offer a job with a wage equal to or exceeding prevailing median wage in the occupation in Yukon;
  • Pay the nominee's cost of travel to Yukon from his or her country of residence abroad, if not already in Yukon;
    • Employers are not required to pay the travel costs of the
      nominee’s family or dependents.
  • Pay for return travel costs if the nominee does not obtain permanent residency;
  • Arrange for a screening interview with a Yukon Government Immigration officer if the foreign national is already in Yukon;
    • Both the foreign national and employer must be present for the interview.
  • Verify previous work experience and qualifications of foreign worker before submitting an application;
  • Submit the offer of employment information and pay the compliance fee of $230 using the IRCC Employer Portal before the foreign national applies for an employer-specific work permit if the foreign national is exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process; and
  • Advertise the job opening for at least four weeks prior to submitting an application to the YNP.
  • The advertisement must remain posted to actively seek qualified Canadians and permanent residents until the date that the YNP issues a decision.
  • A minimum of two local and one national recruitment efforts are required.
Business Nominee

The YBNP targets individuals with proven business skills looking to own and operate a business in Yukon and make a significant contribution to the community. Yukon is seeking people with entrepreneurial skills who can participate in Yukon’s business community and help expand and contribute in its economy. Applicants must be willing to hold an active managerial role in the Yukon business.
If an applicant is approved by the program, he or she becomes a nominee and will receive support for a Two Year Work Permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The work permit gives the nominee the opportunity to establish him/herself, family, and business in Yukon. At the end of the two year period, those who meet all the eligibility requirements will be supported by the territory in their application to IRCC for Permanent Residence.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Achieve a score of at least 65 points on the assessment grid.
  • Have at least a high school education. If your business requires more education, you must also provide proof of these credentials.
  • Have at least 3 years of entrepreneurial or business management experience;
  • Have at least 5 years work experience that is relevant to your business;
  • Not be a refugee or have an active request for refugee status with the Government of Canada;
  • Have never been denied immigration by the Government of Canada;
  • Have no active applications for any other provincial or territorial nominee program;
  • Have a net worth of at least $500,000 CAD. You must also have documentation and verification by a Yukon accounting firm that you obtained it through legal means;
  • Have a minimum of $300,000 in liquid assets. This includes things like cash, bonds and cash derivatives. You must also have documentation and verification by a Yukon accounting firm that you obtained it through legal means;
  • Intend to permanently live in Yukon;
  • Agree to live in Yukon with dependents, if applicable, while managing and investing in your own business in Yukon.
  • Hold a position within your business of National Occupational Classification (NOC) 0 or A.
  • Have not yet purchased or started your business in Yukon at the time of your application to the program.
  • Show how you will invest at least $300,000 in capital investments for the business in the first 2 years.
  • This does not include any capital investments made before your acceptance into the Yukon Business Nominee Program.
  • Capital investments include purchases such as property or equipment. It does not include purchases such as a house, vehicles that are only partially for the business and operational or maintenance expenses.

The proposed business must:

  • be a new business or a purchase of an existing Yukon business
  • be managed by you
  • not be a passive investment
  • belong to any 1 of the following strategic sectors:
  • Information technology
  • Manufacturing
  • Value-added processing
  • Forestry
  • Tourism products, attractions, services and facilities
  • Energy
  • Mining or mineral development
  • Agriculture
  • Cultural industries
  • Film and video production

Your proposed business must not belong to 1 of the following ineligible sectors and activities:

  • Passive investments
  • Retail, wholesale operations, distribution operations
  • Restaurants
  • Financial services
  • Business, consultation and personal services
  • Most professional services
  • Real estate
  • Holding companies
  • Gas stations
Points Calculator

Selection factors are given below:

Selection factor Points
Investment value Maximum 12 points
Liquid assets Maximum 8 points
Personal Net Worth Maximum 8 points
Age Maximum 10 points
Prior Visit Maximum 8 points
Education and Training Maximum 20 points
Entrepreneurial/Business Management Experience Maximum 10 points
Work Experience Maximum 10 points
Language Ability Maximum 12 points
Location of Proposed Business Maximum 5 points
Total Maximum 103 points
Pass mark: 65 Points

Business Resources and given points:

Investment Value ($CAD) Points
Less than $300,000 Ineligible
$300,000 – $400,000 6
$401,000 – $750,000 8
$751,000+ 12